Topic: things i have learnt this year.....

[clairenpaul]

We're with Justy - label,label, label etc etc and being of the belt and braces brigade, write down what we've planted where for when the labels come out and get lost.

Another thing we've learnt is that whatever we set out to do takes at least twice as long as we thought it would....

[wivvles]

1.  Slugs are related to Captain Scarlet
2.  No-one knows everything
3.  Making it up as you go along can work
4.  It doesn't matter that next door's leeks/pumpkins/beans/whatever* (delete as apllicable) are bigger than yours
5.  No matter how well you plan, you will always end up on at least Plan K
6.  Greenhouses are not big enough
7.  Worms are fascinating
8.  Petrol driven strimmers are our friends
9.  Comfrey and nettle tea STINK
10. Radox is cheaper at Poundland

[Justy]

 :D

agree with the next door stuff being bigger - my plot looks like pathetic patch of weeds compared with the 50ft rows of enormous plants my neighbour grows!  Mind you plot other side is rented but not cultivated for last 2 years so at least I am bothering!

[Fingle....]

Do as much preparation in winter as humanely possible !!

[Doris_Pinks]

Don' give away your spare plants, because as soon as you have, the slugs will eat the ones you have planted!   (see the 10 pots of runner seeds in my greenhouse!)

Keep sowing! Just cos I have 2 rows of beetroot up on the plot doesn't mean we don't need more later on! (same for lettuces!)

Get a bigger plot, preferably through a gate at the bottom of my garden, with a shed!

[Gillian]

This is my first year so I don't know much but what I do know is...
1) It takes around 10 weekends to turn an overgrown average size plot into a nice workable allotment
2) Little and often with the weeding
3) Wait until the weather gets warmer and sow directly into the ground if you're short of windowsil space
4) An hour = 2 hours in allotment time
5) Doing organic is harder than you think
6) Accept that some plants will become slug food.
7) Make a plan of your plot with plants and varieties labelled - it's fun
8) Don't plant too close together, give them space

[tamsin]

1. Don't let the couch grass get you down.
2. It's okay that it's a jungle out there, it'll be better next year.

[legless]

1. Don't let the couch grass get you down.
2. It's okay that it's a jungle out there, it'll be better next year.

copying this onto various bit of paper and taping them up round the house, so true!

[Merry Tiller]

It takes around 10 weekends to turn an overgrown average size plot into a nice workable allotment

Blimey, if I do take on a second plot I'll give you a call, my first took about 18 months to get right ;)

[Icyberjunkie]

1.  Using tinfoil to wrap pots on the conservatory windowsill is less hassle than putting them in proper trays - until the tinfoil tears and you stain the white paint brown....oops!
2.  French Beans don't germinate until you give up on them and re-sow.....then both lots grow....Groan!
3.  Whatever excess you sow and think you can swap....everyone else will have done the same.
4.  A car load of well rotted manure is an awful lot to dig and fit in the boot even with the seats down....but it shrinks to a thimblefull by the time it gets to the lottie
5.  Best ever germination rates stated on the packet normally give worst results!
6.  When your wife says she'll help with the lottie she means she'll let you go......... lol

and finally....................................
7.  Ignore seed packets and talk to people in here - far more effective.  Thanks everyone!

[giantseye]

Not to overwater until establisheed :-X :-X :-X ;D


Feel like a plonker, but a valuable lesson for next year ;D ;D

[Gillian]

1) It takes around 10 weekends to turn an overgrown average size plot into a nice workable allotment


Admittedly I did have some help from a burly male  ;)

[redimp]

I don't know about this year but last year it was "the fluffy bunny isn't our friend"
Oh yes, my wife said how cute the wild rabbit was until she saw what he could eat in a day.
Im sure she would have planted landmines for it if she could have.
This year, " just because easters early, doesn't mean that sowing should follow the christian calender. Hence no carrotts or parsnips."

Ah but Easter based on a pagan date and therefore on the seasons so follwoing that particular one is not such a bad idea - however, all things can be scuppered by global warming and unpredictable weather patterns.  :(

[Shoyu]

Just because you have opened a packet of seeds it does not mean you have to plant EVERY single one!

[carrot-cruncher]

1.   Label it

2.   Listen to Dad more

3.   Label it

4.   Listen to Dad more

5.   Label it

6.   Listen to Dad more

CC

[Merry Tiller]

1) It takes around 10 weekends to turn an overgrown average size plot into a nice workable allotment


Admittedly I did have some help from a burly male 

I'm pretty burley myself but even so ?????????

[Gillian]

>>>I'm pretty burley myself but even so

hmm...maybe our plot is smaller than yours then. It's a half plot you see.

Here's the evidence http://www.mytinyplot.co.uk/?p=25
10 weeks from start to finish (I know because I blogged every back-breaking week). And we both work full time so we could only do weekends.

[busy_lizzie]

Things I must remember for next year: Label seed trays better, Make a note of when I plant things, Net everything even seeds sown. We have a very tame friendly blackbird, who is straight onto the soil as soon as you have sown anything, I think he thinks I have put down some tasty bird seed especially for him and his family. Stop worrying, it is not a matter of life and death if the mice completely mutilate you peas or the pigeons completely munch away your cabbages.   ;D busy_lizzie

[TULIP-23]

Now Baa............ ;D

I'll just follow you good Folks then something as to work out right. :o

Because you've all written everything down for me ;)

[spacehopper]

Make sure there's no one behind you with a camera when you are jumping up and down in the compost bin to compress it.  :o lol