Author Topic: Help a newbee (Read 4623 times)

jo9919 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2007, 18:56:02 »

What I want to know is if this is a pressie that your other half is going to love, or is it something that you've always wanted for yourself ;)

Jo.

cornykev · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2007, 21:34:34 »

Good point Jo. ;D ;D ;D

jennym · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2007, 23:30:09 »

If you're going to use weedkiller, make sure you get a glyphosate based one, like Roundup, so that it gets down into the roots and so that you can plant quickly afterwards.
Other than that, get some decent strong woven heavy duty groundcovering and pegs, to lay down and kill off the weeds. Or use cardboard, large applicance boxes are good, opened out. Personally wouldn't use carpet as I think it looks awful and can make a right mess if it gets wrapped around a rotavator blade.
Rotavating is fine, but if there's a bad weed problem you need to keep at it and at it, once every 3 or 4 weeks to make a difference and kill off the weeds. If you do it just the once, unless you pull out the roots, it might make any nasties like bindweed and twitch spread.
The other thing I'd say is deal with a small portion at a time, and do it properly rather than trying to do it all at once.
Tools - get what suits the height and weight of the person using them. Expensive isn't always best. Some stainless steel tools can bend really easily. Here, a border fork and spade is used, which works very well for me because then I'm not trying to lift rotten great clods of earth, can do a little at a time and achieve a lot. You only really need a spade, fork, dutch hoe, rake and trowel, and also would advise a string line to keep your rows neat. And I forgot, get a decent knife too.

Simba42 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2007, 08:15:32 »

No it's never been a passion of mine. when i brought my house i spend lots of money getting a landscaper to patio and gravel the garden. Then the partner moves in and 2 years later after watching many "escape to river cottage" and such shows decides that "we could grow veg in the garden"..... Any attempt of growing stuff inside the house, veg, herb or plant, the cat has something to say about it and as soon as out back is turn, all leaves have been eaten like a green salad.

So it's 100% a present for her. Although I'm totally willing to help. Fresh air and non-gym exercise must be good for me.

Cambourne7 - No she has no idea.. And if I manage it, she'll not find out till March 16th... Hard work for 21 days.

I need to go shopping for tools at the weekend I think.

Do I need to buy a propagator? or will most things grow straight in the ground?

norfolklass · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2007, 11:21:05 »

hi simba
I just wanted to say what a FABULOUS pressie!!!
my OH is completely uninterested in anything green (unless it has kawasaki written on the side and goes like stink!)
he's been to the plot once since I got it last year, and says he may come back when I've got a shed, a deck chair and a stove so that he can sit and have a brew, a ciggie and watch me dig ::)
hope you manage to keep it as a great surprise for her!

cornykev · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2007, 16:11:26 »

Top surprise Simba, and your right fresh air, bit of peace and all the gym work in the open air, and fresh food at the end of it. If I lived near you I might even be tempted to help you but sadly Lutons a bit far but good luck and happy digging. ;D ;D ;D

Marymary · « **Reply #26 on:** February 23, 2007, 21:22:38 »

Welcome & an amazing pressy - I do hope you manage to keep it a surprise. Propagators are useful particuarly at this time of year. Just pop the seeds into it in trays or peat pots [more ideas for presents :)] & get them out as soon as they germinate. Keep well away from the cat. :)

Simba42 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 28, 2007, 13:20:59 »

Hey all.

Just wanted to get an opinion on my suggested plan for the new allotment. The suggested plan is, getting scaffolding boards and raising the bed by a few inches and probably gravelling the paths. Do you think this is the best use of 150m²?

Thanks..

Oh and yes, its still a secret..

Barnowl · « **Reply #28 on:** February 28, 2007, 14:20:40 »

What about hut amd compost heap?

manicscousers · « **Reply #29 on:** February 28, 2007, 17:00:12 »

you're really enjoying this, aren't you, simba..that's a good plan, maybe the small areas could have compost or shed or greenhouse on?..

Marymary · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2007, 17:21:45 »

Don't forget a sitting area to sit & admire your hard work. :)

Barnowl · « **Reply #31 on:** February 28, 2007, 17:34:30 »

If this summer is anything like last, a bit of shade would be no bad thing.

cornykev · « **Reply #32 on:** February 28, 2007, 20:34:38 »

Make room for table and chairs, BBQ area and a beer tent. ;D ;D ;D

Simba42 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 01, 2007, 09:26:30 »

Thats what the blue bit is for.. shed, compost and water collection. And yes if there's still room, chairs table BBQ.

I'm not sure about a shed yet as i only live 500yards from the lottie, and the less tools i keep on site the less chance of it getting stolen.

And yes.. I now really like the idea and wanna start now. It's hard work not talking about it with the GF.. roll on the 16th so we can start...

I hope she likes this gift.

Barnowl · « **Reply #34 on:** March 01, 2007, 14:11:27 »

I think most people try to avoid having the compost next to their sitting area.....

manicscousers · « **Reply #35 on:** March 01, 2007, 14:17:22 »

I wouldn't worry, she'll love it ;D

ruffmeister · « **Reply #36 on:** March 02, 2007, 09:56:41 »

remember to take lots of photos too.,

Jeannine · « **Reply #37 on:** March 02, 2007, 15:44:34 »

Get on the net and send off for copies of all the usual gardening cataloges it is like Christmas morning to a gardener if she doesn't have them already.They are pretty quick in sending them. Welcome from me too XX Jeannine

Jenfur · « **Reply #38 on:** March 18, 2007, 20:47:14 »

Hi everyone, just an update on this topic. The present was an AMAZING surprise, I totally love it, and got started on Saturday morning ;D
Got one bed dug (by hand in the end), there are tons of weed roots and stuff but hopefully will reduce these. Put Roundup on the rest and hoping to cover the ones we won't get around to until next year.
Thanks for all your great advice to my BF, no doubt we'll both be on her looking more more tips as the year goes by!!

triffid · « **Reply #39 on:** March 18, 2007, 21:08:42 »

So glad the prezzie has been a success!
I probably missed it, reading through all the wonderful advice you've got here, but did anyone tell you their fave seed brands, as you asked up at the top of the thread?

The following are all lovely companies that are widely used by A4Aers (including me!)

Dobies (loads of veg and flowers) http://www.dobies.co.uk

Simpson's Seeds (specialists in toms, chillies and spuds but lots of other stuff too).
http://www.simpsonsseeds.co.uk/

Alan Romans, the spud-grower's spud-supplier. You may find some lines sold out by now. Lots of other veg, herbs and flowers as well, though.
http://www.alanromans.com

Seeds of Italy (Franchi seeds) is another amazing company, offering loads of Italian regional veg varieties.
http://seedsofitaly.com/

Well, have fun browsing... but keep an eye on the running total or you'll bankrupt yourselves. :D

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Author Topic: Help a newbee (Read 4623 times)

jo9919