Topic: Hi - new member in Gosport

[plot76]

Hi All

I have just found this forum, and I am finding loads of useful information etc, stuff the books don't tell you!!

I have an allotment in Gosport, and have had for about four months, I have kept a web diary at www.plot76.info please take a look and let me know your thoughts on how we are getting on (being new to this game)

Cheers

Simon

[manicscousers]

what a brilliant plot,  :D

[plot76]

Thanks, it has taken a lot of back ache (it was a right state when we took it on)

Looking forward to a full growing season now

[triffid]

Welcome to the site, Simon!  :)

What a great job you've done there... and bravo to your council for helping out. I wouldn't dare put up polytunnels on my site -- very jealous of yours!

[manicscousers]

we have a polytunnel, did you get anything out of it yet ?

[plot76]

I picked the polytunnels up from Ebay £30 each, they are well secured down, I use one for seeds and chili's and the other for late/early crops, nothing harvested yet.

The tunnels seem strong, and we do get strong winds so I hope they are okay, but as they didn't cost much It's not the end of the world

[katynewbie]

 :o

WOW!!! Amazing job! Very impressive website too!

Well done you!

 ;)

[triffid]

The tunnels look brill, Simon and I'm sure they won't blow away!!


On our site all too often we fall prey to vandalism :(   but the site is visually very exposed.  If we were better hidden from view I'd be disappearing off to ebay this minute! 

[ACE]

Ex gosport boy myself so welcome aboard . Nice clean plot you have, not a carpet in sight.

I moved to the south island about 40 years ago but I can still see  Gosport out of my window.

[saddad]

Very impressive Plot, Plot! (My name on another site!)
We have several plots that could do with your attention on our site... if you are ever on the transfer list!
 ;D

[lorna]

Welcome from me, enjoy!! Great plot you have there.
Lorna

[bunjy]

wow you've done really well....plot looks great  ;D

tracy

[triffid]

Hello again Simon.

Was musing over the mess you had to clear up of degraded carpet and underlay and stuff -- don't let this put you off covering ground to discourage weeds, because it can be a very useful thing!

If you stick to cardboard (two or three layers, weighted down or buried at edges) that rots down fine in time.

[plot76]

Thanks for the kind comments, it has been a task, but I am sure it will be very worth while.

I understand that a good many allotment holders do use carpet etc to control weeds, I see it on many plots around mine, however after taking on a plot with carpet down over five years, I can assure you it has no long term benifit. I am sure the previous plot holder didn't intend to leave his carpet, but it left me with a big problem and the council with a big bill, and it is unsightly.

Can you all be sure that you will always be able to clear your plot when you decide to move on, if not then please don't use carpet.

I myself have choosen a green and organic method of weed control by planting areas not in use with green manure crops, may I suggest the carpet lovers think of a natural green and nicer looking alternative, and allow these small pockets of green land, to be green and provide the lungs that our chocked up towns need, and not cut off all the carbon eating greenery with carpets.

Just my rant, thanks

[ACE]

HOORAY  At last somebody agrees with. You would think that they have all  got shares in Carpet World on this site.

Too  many allotment sites have gone over to building land and how can you expect councils to take allotmenteering seriously if they all look like rubbish dumps.

[manicscousers]

unfortunately, not all of us can dig, we used our carpet until we could raise beds then and fill the beds with good soil,
now the carpeting is covering an unused plot, when it is taken on it will be moved, and it is woollen carpet that will break down, anyway, each to his or her own  :)

[plot76]

I have seen both the upside and downside of using carpets, and I know it does help clear patches of weeds, but like evrything on an allotment it needs to be managed and controlled.

Let's face it an unlooked after plot, without carpet isn't a nice sight either.

as I say thanks for all the positive comments.