Topic: A place for newbies to introduce themselves.

[gray1720]

  Hi everybody, my name's Adrian and I'm an allotmenteer! (or is that the wrong meeting?)

I am probably certifiably insane as I have two half-plots on a set of lotties in Oxford, feeding just the two of us (and all our friends and relations too...). I've had one about eight or nine years now, and the other about five, so I'm fairly experienced, and glad it was X years ago I hacked them out of the greenery!

Right, I'm off to have an explore - see you around!

Adrian

[sunloving]

Hello to all summer newbies,
Welcome to this freindly and really informative site.
Summer is quite quiet so if you dont get fast replies bear with it.
Happy growing
x Sunloving

[Humbug carrot]

Hi everyone  its about time I introduced myself, I've been mooching around this site for a couple of years, but only just found this thread (I'm not very good at this computer stuff).
I've had my plot in Worcester for 15 years , it may not be the neatest  plot but it is productive and just how I like it.

[pumkinlover]

Welcome, at 15 years you are a bit of an old timer!

[Jayb]

Hi back to Adrian  Hope you are finding your way around the forum. Two half plots must keep you busy  Are the plots on the same site?

Hello Humbug carrot  love the name! Wow 15 years, no wonder it's productive, all your hard work paying off 

[muttley1]

Hi there,

I'm another newbie then, just found this forum whilst looking to find some useful stuff on adding horse manure, thanks to the posters for your help.

I'm from North Oxfordshire. I've two halves on separate sites, we're in our fourth year with them and in addition we got another half a year ago in April.

All are different, one is clay soil which has had muck and some tlc since we got it. In years gone by it had a chicken run at one end so the topsoil is quite thin, two is clay and was untended for ages before we cleared and double dug it. Its got several rows of fruit canes so with the shed and the paths I did is pretty small. The third is a well worked plot that I added a lot of mulch to last winter and it has been very productive this year. It had muck and lime a few years ago when it was ressurected so is due more tlc over the winter

We've learnt loads so far and are still getting better. My better half is into perserves, chutneys and so on so we eat it all. We have a steady stream of relatives who come for a look, mysteriously having plastic bags to hand when we offer stuff.



muttley

[squeezyjohn]

Hi Adrian and Muttley,

I'm quite close to you two - my half-plot is just outside Cumnor and I've only been at it for a couple of years come October ... I've found advice here pretty invaluable.

Welcome!

[Jayb]

Hi Muttley, Welcome to A4A, hope you enjoy the forum  Look forward to reading your posts 

[mimsickle]

Morning All

I'm new here. I'm Mimsickle. I took on a plot at the end of July. I'm not a complete newby I was always digging with my granddad as a kid and had a small plot at my last house but this is my first time with a proper allotment plot. I also studied soil for years so spent even longer digging and playing with soil. Now to put those skills to growing things  Looks like loads of useful advice on here and looking forward to being chatting to people.

[macmac]

Welcome mimsickle This is a smashing forum with good advice and the odd chuckle along the way 

[patchworkperson]

Hi & welcome mimsickle. You are so right - loads of advice from fab folks here.

[mimsickle]

Thanks for the welcome already enjoying lots of interesting things on here!

[Jayb]

Hello and Welcome from me too 

[mimsickle]

Hello and thanks

[Jeannine]

Sorry to be so tardy but I have been off line for quite along time, so welcome to all the new folks I missed, I will get tom knmow you all on the forum XX Jeannine

[sparrow]

Hi there,

I'm a bit tardy - signed up a few months ago but have only just stumbled on this bit. I've a half plot of clay in sunny south west London, which I've had for a whole year and a half. I spent the first year messing about in the 5 beds I inherited, realised I was hooked and this year am digging the plot over (slowly) to turn it into a 12-bed thing of wonder, with better drainage.

I am something of a seedaholic and a compulsive jelly/jam-maker...

:)

[Jayb]

A belated Welcome to A4A, with those credentials you'll be right at home here 

[Nige P]

Hi,

I'm Nige I live in North Birmingham and have had a lottie since Feb this year at Sheffield Road site in Sutton Coldfield. I've been veg gardening for years at home but always wanted a patch to myself, so now have a 1/2 plot. I'll probably have loads of questions as I've just bumbled along for years. Certainly I need advice about horse tail, I've got loads of it.

Nige

[Jayb]

Hi Nige P  Nice to have you join us at A4A, I'm sure you'll love it here. I don't have any experience with horse tail, but I'm sure some others do and if they don't spot your question here I'd pop one in the Pests and Disease section.

[BarriedaleNick]

Hello Nige P!! Welcome

Horse Tail or Mares Tail as I know it is a bugger.  I only have a bit so I just keep pulling it out.  The only way to get rid of it is weedkiller, preferably concentrated and painted on when in growth.  Even then it may keep coming back and can take years to kill off completely.
The roots are dark and impossible to dig out!  Best of luck with it!