Author Topic: What should be first? (Read 2767 times)

amanda21 · « **on:** January 14, 2006, 17:32:32 »

OK so I have the allotment and it's not a major clearing job which is great. Can anyone advise me what I should be aiming for first in the way of buying seeds and getting them in? I would like to get something growing as soon as possible so I don't loose the enthusiasm (and to prove to myself that I can!!).

Cheers! :)

Jesse · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:43:16 »

Soft fruit (blackcurrants, gooseberries, rhubarb, raspberries etc.), broad beans and garlic... get ready for sowing early peas, sweet peas, onion sets, salads and early carrots (around March). Start looking at getting your seed potatoes bought for chitting.

amanda21 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:47:40 »

Great thanks! With the rhubarb (which is OH's fav so I just have to have) - do I buy it as a plant (crown?) or seeds? I am going to appear totally dense asking all these questions but who cares! :-\

Jesse · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:49:56 »

I wouldn't buy it, put word out that you're looking for some rhubarb, when I took up my plot I was inundated with the stuff! But if you don't get any offers of a crown then look at buying, you can grow from seed but crown is much quicker. Don't pick from it on the first year otherwise you weaken the plant, but again if you really like rhubarb I'm sure you'll have lots of offers from neighbours to take some stalks for eating. :)

Debs · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:51:00 »

You could ask around the site & see if anyone can spare you a crown or two

of an established plant.

There's always lottie folk who are more than helpful and very kind to newcomers.

Debs :)

glow777 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:55:42 »

Quote from: amanda21 on January 14, 2006, 17:47:40

Great thanks! With the rhubarb (which is OH's fav so I just have to have) - do I buy it as a plant (crown?) or seeds? I am going to appear totally dense asking all these questions but who cares! :-\

Have a look around your plot especially against the walls in corners and behind sheds you may already have some. They should be just starting to grow now.

chriszog · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2006, 17:57:27 »

Amanda,
I have some spare if you dont get any offers from locals. I moved plots this year and split all my old crowns, have loads of the stuff even after giving a lot away.
Chris
PS How did you do that on Google Earth??

amanda21 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2006, 18:01:17 »

Thanks Chris.

Do what on google earth?? ???

amanda21 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2006, 18:03:33 »

Oh the map on my profile. I went to the member's map at the top of the page - it's new! :D

chriszog · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2006, 18:06:00 »

Thanks. Its all new today??
Chris

Derekthefox · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2006, 20:04:53 »

Yes (blatantly off topic) this new site is great !!!

On the growing front (back on topic) as jesse has already said, I don't think there is anything else, perhaps if you posted a list of veg you intend growing, then they can be sorted by sowing dates ...

Jesse · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2006, 20:23:04 »

Amanda will you have a greenhouse? If you do then you can get some things planted in there for early crops before your tomatoes etc go in.

amanda21 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2006, 21:16:35 »

I don't have a greenhouse but do have a conservatory.

Derek - There is so much I want to grow! :D I have found a planting list on here that someone posted which looks great so I will keep an eye on that - thanks - I think I will stick with the things we really like eating the most and maybe just add some experiments now and then.

jennym · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2006, 02:18:43 »

Jesse has already said this - but to emphasise - now is the time to plant any fruit bushes or trees, while they are dormant, you only have a few weeks left...

amanda21 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2006, 08:53:22 »

Thanks re the fruit bushes - is that all sorts - particular keen on gooseberries! Does anyone have any recommendations for varieties? I actually prefer them raw :-\ but OH loves crumble! I might hit the garden centre later so will certainly look out for some and get them in.

I'm also concerned that I don't have any compost or manure at the moment although I have a friend with horses I'm not sure she keeps it so any she has might not be old enough.

katynewbie · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:10:17 »

A friend with horses?!! Lucky you!! Even if the manure is new you can get some and stack it up and let it mature gently at the plot. Check what the horses have in the stable though, some people use wood chip type stuff which is not really much good for the plot and takes forever to rot, straw is better.

amanda21 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:12:00 »

Thanks for the tip - I will ask her. My problem is going to be getting it from there to the plot but I also have a dad with a trailer so........... :-* for dad!

Jesse · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:56:13 »

look in the newspaper as well and ask at the allotment about manure, our allotment site has a local farmer that will deliver, much easier than trailering it yourself, and a local horse breeder delivers fantastic well rotted manure and he advertises in the local paper. Each of them charge £30 for a large trailer load.

derbex · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2006, 10:13:36 »

Might be worth looking online for your fruitbushes -as a lot of gardeb centres will have container plants rather than bare root -which are supposed to take better. Probably be cheaper too and a wider choice too.

If you like raspberries plant some Autumn Bliss now and you should get some this autumn.

Some nurseries on this thread.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=15740.0

I'd look to get some spuds in too -if nothing else they will cover the ground and keep it clear -and you get to eat them as well.

After that -take a breather, one good tip is to 'grow what you eat'.

Jeremy

amanda21 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2006, 15:31:33 »

I bought some early potatoes today whilst out. I understand I have to chit them before planting - should I do this now and how long for - can they chit away happily until they go in the ground in Spring?

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Author Topic: What should be first? (Read 2767 times)