Topic: Allotment Plan

[posie]

Well given the numerous issues (disasters at the time lol) I've had over the last year, I've decided to start afresh this year with a brand new plan.  I've rotated the crops from last years plan and have put all the spuds at the bottom as this seems to be the place with the absolute worst soil that doesn't seem to have been worked as much.  Rather than hijack the other planting spaces topics, I thought I'd post my plan in here to see if anyone can give some advice on the spacing I've used.  I'm sure I could probably squeeze some more stuff in here somewhere!  The main workable area of plot is 20ft by 50ft, hence all the weeny numbers across the top and down sides.  ;D  Any suggestions would be most welcome.



Hope you can see it because I can't get it any larger!

[thifasmom]

Posie if you post a link to the pic where it saved we might be able to open it up bigger.

[Tee Gee]

There is nothing wrong with your arrangement it will work but here is a thought for you;

I counted 18 rows meaning; laid out this way you have effectively lost around a third of your planting area to access paths / footways between your rows

Now if you were to set your beds say at 1.5m (5ft) wide with a .5 m (18") path between you would get roughly 8 beds, each of which can either be treated as one whole bed or sub-divided in three areas per bed giving you up to twenty four beds.

The other good thing about this system is; it makes it easier for 'catch crops' i.e. as one crop comes out their is space for another this might not be as easy on the strip system due to what the adjacent crop is i.e. it might shade/bury your new crop.

Another good thing is you have less digging each year i.e. you don't have to dig the 'path' areas whereas with your layout you would, only to walk on it the following year.

I am not necessarily advocating that you do it my way but over the years I have tried laying out my plot in different ways and I find this way is best for me.

Have a look at this ;http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Slide%20Shows/My%20Allotments/allotments%20%20ss.html

I leave these thoughts with you.

[posie]

Posie if you post a link to the pic where it saved we might be able to open it up bigger.

Good thinking batman!

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/Picture1.jpg

Teegee, I've taken the paths out of this plan as I tried paths last year and found I lost too much space with it.  Basically where I've put for instance main crop spuds I plan to leave just enough space to get in with my feet and a spade rather than set paths.  Hope that makes sense!

[kt.]

A good season there Tee Gee.   :)

[Tee Gee]

As some of you may know I am  sorting out on my website ready for future seasons and as a result I broke the above link.

Sorry about that, the link showing the revised pictures are at ; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Allotment/allotment.html

Note; that is my plot with the white strip on it (fleece) I also work the one below it.

[thegreatgardener]

I have simple question does x 2 mean 2 rows
also what spacing method with you using for distance between plants
my a rough calculation You should produce more then enough food for 4-6 people for one year
In some cases even more so.

[Tee Gee]

Hi Posie,

Thought you might like to see how I plan my layouts on a spread sheet;

One column=One bed

One row =one row of a variety/genus

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Planners/Plot%20layout.htm

[thegreatgardener]

tee gee rather crude lay out but what could be expected from you.
Posie if would like I will redo you plan for you so your space is better
organized.

[manicscousers]

tee gee rather crude lay out but what could be expected from you.

sorry but there's no need for that  :(

[Tee Gee]

tee gee rather crude lay out

Perhaps so but it works!!  and that's all that matters for me.

[Flighty]

Tee Gee ignore what was a crass remark, the guy is such a moron!
.
Manic well said!

[taurus]

Tee Gee hope you don't mind me asking but what size of plots do you have. They look huge.  Looking at your planting plan there's no way I could plant that amount on my 2 plots.  As we have so many plots up for rent again this year with no takers I've ask my allotments officer about a vacant plot next door to my existing ones to make into a mini orchard.  But looking at the amount of space on your plots I might even ask for a 4th if there going spare. I think this may help with crop rotation as well.Taurus

[Tee Gee]

Looking at your planting plan there's no way I could plant that amount on my 2 plots. 

Don't see any reason why not Taurus I only have two plots like you.

You can see an aerial picture here; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Allotment/allotment.html

That is my top plot with the white strip on it (fleece) and the one below it is my other.

The plots are both roughly 60' x 30' in size which I understand to be pretty much a standard size.( 10 rods)

Regarding the chart I posted above this might be confusing you so let me explain it;

Well firstly it is only a sample layout that I use when discussing 'layouts' on forums such as A4A but it is pretty close to the real thing.

This is a copy of this years layout;



Each column is a bed and the only relationship this chart has with size is the sizes written on the top line.

From experience I know that I can get 20-25 rows of plants set across each bed the exact number is dependent on what I am growing.

So you can see that on the first bed I planted out;

20 Chevalier Calabrese
20 Marathon Calabrese
16 Bellstar Broccolli
12 Candid Charm Cauli
20 Snow Prince Cauli
4 Regency Cabbage

= 92 Plants in ONE bed

Just another point;

Initially when I plan my layout I don't number the varieties simply because I don't know at that time what my 'germination' rate per variety will be so I fill in the varieties when I know how many of each plant I have.

So in the above exercise I would have planned for around 10-12 rows of Calabrese / Broccoli and around 10 rows of Cauli.

The same principle applies to my potato varieties e.g sometimes the 'seed are large and you get less tubers per pound and conversely if they are small I get more.

So my plans are just 'plans' and not facts until planting out time so this is why I use the type of chart I do. e.g. when I come to plant out out I just erase the line/s that don't apply, and write in what I do plant.

So all I have in my pocket at planting out time is an A4 sheet of paper with my initial plan on it, then when I am done I make any adjustments necessary to the 'master plan' on my computer which remains there for future use and comparisons.

In particular it helps with my 'rotation' plan.

I hope that answers your question.

[thegreatgardener]

may be I should post my plan for  my veg garden layout and My revisions for posie's plot.
I think I will Sunday.

[posie]

I have simple question does x 2 mean 2 rows
also what spacing method with you using for distance between plants
my a rough calculation You should produce more then enough food for 4-6 people for one year
In some cases even more so.

Yes it is 2 rows - sorry I've only just caught up with this post.  As for spacing, that's the bit I get mixed up with so was planning on a foot between plants but I suspect that may be too much for some and not enough for others.

TeeGee thanks for that link, I'll take a closer look at it later.

Thegreatgardener - any suggestions are most welcome, but I'd be far more appreciative of it if you'd refrain from making personal attacks on people who have offered their advice - it does have the tendency of detracting from what may well be valuable advice from both yourself and other members.  I look forward to hearing your ideas.

[thegreatgardener]

Posie few  questions
1. will you planting over time and succession planting?
2 how many carrot per row or how far apart in your plan
3 how many potatoes per row
4.what spacing did use for leeks
5 are straw berries in mixed or separate
6 are lock set on how the plant are grouped?
So far my redo of you plot has 100 square foot to spare.

[tim]

TG - your patience & acumen are immense!

[cornykev]

You took the words right out of my mouth.  ;D ;D ;D

[posie]

Posie few  questions
1. will you planting over time and succession planting?
2 how many carrot per row or how far apart in your plan
3 how many potatoes per row
4.what spacing did use for leeks
5 are straw berries in mixed or separate
6 are lock set on how the plant are grouped?
So far my redo of you plot has 100 square foot to spare.

1.  I am planning on succession planting
2.  I didn't manage to grow 1 carrot last year as for how many, as many as I can get in!
3.  As the plot is 20ft across, I would guess 20 per row allowing 1 foot spacing? We eat a lot of spuds!
4.  See carrots!
5. The bed for strawberries will also contain rhubarb, will only be 1 variety of strawberries I think.
6.  Not sure what you mean - as I said I'm open to any/all suggestions.

Thanks for your input.