Allotments 4 All

Photo Gallery => The Gallery => Topic started by: cowellen on March 23, 2006, 16:32:54

Title: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on March 23, 2006, 16:32:54: day 1 (http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2968/myallotmentday1180306plot277zx.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

day 4

(http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/8596/21032006001elwadiday48jw.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

a little at a time ;) ::)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 23, 2006, 18:34:24: Watch the grass you're leaving between the beds; it's often a reservoir of couch.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on March 24, 2006, 19:01:30: i was thinkin of puttin weed supressent fabric down with wood chip on top -

would u recomend digging it all over then ??? please help - i really havent got a clue .. ???

and what is couch ??? :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: katynewbie on March 25, 2006, 17:45:49: >:(

Couch is the spawn of the devil...evil weed which looks like grass and has long, white roots which will grow as another weed when chopped up.

Check the "search" facility or the "wiki" at top of screen to see how to deal with it!! I have loads and can promise you it's no joke!!

Great start tho, well done you!!

;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 25, 2006, 21:23:02: If you want grass paths, your best bet is probably to dig them out then re-seed. That way you can be sure there's no devil's grass in there. Otherwise, you may be in for an eternity of digging out spreading rhizomes. Sisyphus probably has a better time of it rolling a boulder uphill for eternity.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: mokanoo on March 25, 2006, 23:44:32: Hi Moo,
Couch grass is nasty, that's all I can say about it. When I took my plot over it was covered in it and I couldn't cope with digging it all out in it's green state. In my pics is my before and after. I simply covered the whole plot in black polythene and left it for 6 months over the summer. Nothing to grow on I know. Recently I took it off and it was easier to deal with. I had to dig the whole plot over and take out the root system, which gets everywhere. If you don't take it out it will spread again. Once it's dealt with then it'll be fine. The only other problem I had was the resident snake.
before
(http://www.mokanoo.co.uk/images/before.jpg)
(http://www.mokanoo.co.uk/images/after.jpg)
good luck
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on March 26, 2006, 10:16:43: here's an update -
(http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5200/25032006001day79fx.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 06, 2006, 19:06:30: ive decided to dig the paths over and try to make paths from all the stones and bricks i keep finding...
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: onionhead on April 06, 2006, 21:55:34: It's nice to see the transformation gradually taking place. Wish I'd taken some early snaps of my plot now.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 09, 2006, 22:28:51: thanks onionhead

here is a further update

(http://img318.imageshack.us/img318/8052/week4080420063uk.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
(http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/7066/week4080420060010jf.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

i am in the process of getting rid of them weeds paths . :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 09, 2006, 22:36:22: Lovely to find moo's plot thread, crikey you have worked hard :o
I can recommend just earth paths cowellen, scrape the weeds off when they come, cover with newspaper and straw in summer to keep the moisture in the ground.
Earth paths between spud bed and comfrey bed, not touched all winter so you can see it doesn't get too weedy:

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/comfrey2006_sprouting.jpg)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 09, 2006, 22:52:23: cheers Super ;)

can i ask what are the bottles on the sticks for ? -

I scattered grow more over the spuds today and raked a bit more soil over em'.

I'm off work for next 2 wks so - i hope to make a lot of progress :-\

I will keep u posted - and thanks for tips ..

:-X 1 last thing - i have been given some laminate flooring - what use would u recommend 4 it. thanks?
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 09, 2006, 23:06:23: Laminate flooring is tricky - too full of gunk to make wood ash, too light to hold down black plastic, too fragile to edge beds. I can't think (but it is late ;))
Bottles on sticks are to stop you tripping over them/poking eye out ::) and to store the bottles!
Later in the season I will cut off the bottoms of some of these bottles, invert and plant them deep next to my squash. When I go round with the watering can I will water into the bottles, so the water goes direct to the squash roots and doesn't rot the stems or encourage that grey mildew.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 10, 2006, 09:40:47: Thanks for the tips Super - going to take them plastic bottles of mine up to the plot today and put em on some sticks. ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 10, 2006, 23:06:22: here is what has been done today ;D
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1735/week4100420060tx.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
( that's bluebells in the corner - hope they don't interfere with my spuds ::))
i'm going to try and dig another bed this week for onions - and I might have a shed ;) ;D
(http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6034/week4100420060019su.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

will keep u posted :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 11, 2006, 06:56:10: Crikey, feel all whacked out just looking! You don't half put your back into it gal :P :o Love the bluebells ::)
What sort of soil do you have? It looks very friable and dark compared to mine, would be interested to know. Keep posting, I love to watch people digging ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 11, 2006, 09:09:19: havent got a clue what soil type it is. (i love it though) it does seem to dry out very quickly... - i'm thinking this is bad?
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 11, 2006, 09:48:44: Yes, wondered if it was silty like mine here in Peterborough, near the fens - a joy to dig, weeds jump out, but can get very dry. My Secret Weapon is spent hops which make it more sponge-like. Still, I'd rather have silty than clay any day, having wrestled with stony clay in York!
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 11, 2006, 11:52:54: I have wet soil today :'( - it's raining here :'(

so not going to get anything done today - i might start off some lettuce :-\
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 11, 2006, 12:53:14: You got rain? Lucky you!
We have SLEET :P
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 13, 2006, 18:33:49: 6 rows of spuds ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

(http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/1921/week4130420069cp.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 13, 2006, 19:31:16: Six rows of spuds in a DAY?? WOW - that's a lot of hard work. Well done. Love the photo diary, keep it coming
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 13, 2006, 19:55:06: i put my 1st row in last sunday - the 2nd went in yesterday - then done 2 this morning - came home for a cuppa
and a butty - then went back and put 2 more in - :) ;D - i'm whacked ... ;D

but happy - coz i feel like a proper farmer... he he he ;)

look at them rows... yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..

sorry im just so excited - (if i'm like this putting them in the ground, imagine what i'm gonna be like eatin em... )

thanks for all your support ...

and I will keep posting ;D glad u like ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: mokanoo on April 13, 2006, 23:42:10: wow cowellen, that is really some work since the last time I logged on. I've not planted anything yet as I'm getting my nursery ready for our first child (due tomorrow) but seeing your pics I feel embarrassed not doing anything. Hopefully paternity will get my butt in gear and get me down the plot. Although my back garden plot is doing ok.
Keep posting them pics and making me jealous.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 14, 2006, 10:34:10: I'm hoping to get the last of my spuds in today, but then I plant on the flat, which is a lot less work.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 14, 2006, 10:36:53: Quote from: mokanoo on April 13, 2006, 23:42:10
wow cowellen, that is really some work since the last time I logged on. I've not planted anything yet as I'm getting my nursery ready for our first child (due tomorrow) but seeing your pics I feel embarrassed not doing anything. Hopefully paternity will get my butt in gear and get me down the plot. Although my back garden plot is doing ok.
Keep posting them pics and making me jealous.

thanks .. i will ;) and good luck with the baby ;) ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 15, 2006, 18:23:47: neighbour found this sticking out from under my black plastic ;D ;D
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/week4.jpg)
sorry pic is still huge - i tried using photobucket too.. :-[
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 16, 2006, 13:14:27: HAPPY EASTER ;D (guess where i've been this morning) ;)

:) :) :)
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/800f2bdc.jpg)

we pulled the black plastic back and dug over the soil..going to weed it tomorrow. :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 16, 2006, 13:31:49: Who's 'we' cowellen? Have you got little helpers? :D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 16, 2006, 14:32:16: Quote from: supersprout on April 16, 2006, 13:31:49
Who's 'we' cowellen? Have you got little helpers? :D
i've got a 12 yr old son - who is nearly as tall as me ;) - he spends most of his time making a fire
then standing over it and watchin it burn ::) - boys hey ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Hyacinth on April 16, 2006, 15:40:21: Hey Cowellen,

I've just looked at all your pix today. You are amazing 8)

And a nice crop of rhubarb growing there. Gotta be a bonus ;D

Keep on diggin - keep on snappin - keep on bein happy ;D ;D ;D

Lishka x
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 16, 2006, 17:59:54: Quote from: cowellen on April 16, 2006, 14:32:16
i've got a 12 yr old son - who is nearly as tall as me ;) - he spends most of his time making a fire
then standing over it and watchin it burn ::) - boys hey ;)
[/quote]

I've got one of those, except he turned 13 yesterday. ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 16, 2006, 22:09:13: Thanks Lishka - ;D ;D i'm loving it

is it just mine - or do all boys get bored quickly >:( he is hindering my progress >:(

;) ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 17, 2006, 09:41:26: No, I think it is all boys of that age have short attention spans. I find a hammer, nails and wood (to build a camp) is good at keeping mine occupied while I dig and also lots food so they can munch.
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 17, 2006, 12:30:36: lol - the whole idea of me gettin the lotty was to keep him away from the fridge and playstation ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Carrot Patch on April 17, 2006, 19:00:28: When I say food munch, I mean lunchbox style and I control what goes in. The last thing I want (or my lottie neighbours) is to have two hyper kids charging around.

Lots of fruit and water ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 17, 2006, 19:02:42: OOps I've just registered my Mum, who is aka Carrot Patch. I forgot to login as me when I posted the last reply!!! ???
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 17, 2006, 19:24:53: does anyone have any ideas on what i should plant in my new bed ? ive got spuds opposite side of path?

can my babies go in yet ? as they are getting leggy. :-\
(courgette, cucumber, sprouts, toms - saving sweetcorn for behind spuds ;) )
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 17, 2006, 21:07:32: Have you already sown the sprouts? If the seedlings have two sets of true leaves they should be OK to go in, but protect from birds and possible frosts. You could also sow them direct now, but cover with some fleece.

I'm not planting out cucumbers, toms, sweetcorn until end May/June. You could sow direct now things like beetroot, lettuce, carrots, parsnips, spinach and I'm sure lots of other stuff that I can't remember.

Have fun and remember to bend at the knees when digging ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 17, 2006, 21:40:38: in reply to your question SMP- a lotty neighbour gave me a pot with lots of sprouts - all sproutin out lol

so i split them up into different pots and put them on kitchen windowsill - no heatin in kitchen (its freezin)

they seem to like it :-\

would u recommend that i sow some carrots, parsnips spinach and beetroot in new bit ? Can they all

go in the same bed ??? :-\ hmm after i sow them should a put some netting down ???

cheers ;) :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on April 17, 2006, 21:56:00: Carrots, snips and beets are all in the root family so will live happily together, but no manure as it will make them fork.

Spinach I have put in the 'other' group for rotation and as such have been bunging it where there is space, but it prefers somewhere out of the midday sun (don't we all?), so it is in with the blackcurrant bushes - new this year, so small and it seemed a shame to waste all that space. I have grown spinach in modules as well as direct sow and have found the modules work better, planted the whole lot in the ground upto the first leaf and they're off.

I've got my carrots under fleece cloches, which I hope to replace for mesh soon.

HTH
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 19, 2006, 12:42:23: thanks for the advice - i'm going to plant some beetroot - parsnips and carrots in the new bit.

ive just got a wooden wendy house - ;D (free - my greenhouse was free too)
cant wait to get them up to the plot. it will look like a proper lotty then ;D :D ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 20, 2006, 19:33:56: ;D ;D
my shed is up.

if u look closely u can see it at the back of the photo.
Its the one with no roof felt - :P ;D

couldnt get close up as it was rainin.. >:(
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/6eea53ad.jpg)

here is 1 from inside ;D
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/26d21df5.jpg)

its a good job i'm short :P
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 20, 2006, 19:40:22: Well, now you have somewhere to go when it rains! Great leap forward moo, lots of envy marks. Got your Kelly Kettle and a shelf for the teabags? ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: katynewbie on April 20, 2006, 20:41:06: ;D

Looking good Moo!!
Ooooh looks like it has a "stable door" as well!! Thinks...can I cut my shed door in two...?

:o
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 20, 2006, 22:57:01: ooh i know - i'm dying to put some flowers in the window boxes.

It's amazing what people throw out

I can't believe my LUCK ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 28, 2006, 08:58:57: little update - ive now got my brassicas on the right of my plot..

trying netting over 1 bit and cd (scarers) on the other bit
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/630ffcce.jpg) also b/f is making me a wonky fence ::) ;D
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/5fafb97e.jpg)

thinking of making shed bigger - pulling the front forward and putting windows in the gaps in the sides...
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on April 28, 2006, 10:03:07: Love these updates cowellen, you are putting some real graft into your plot. Hope you get time to sit on the new fence watching the lady carrot flies preening in the CDs lol. That isn't a wonky fence, it's Art ;) I think it looks perfect, especially when you get some beenz up it ;D

Hope you are feeling very pleased with yourself!

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/happycow.jpg)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on April 28, 2006, 22:56:23: Quote from: supersprout on April 28, 2006, 10:03:07
Love these updates cowellen, you are putting some real graft into your plot. Hope you get time to sit on the new fence watching the lady carrot flies preening in the CDs lol. That isn't a wonky fence, it's Art ;) I think it looks perfect, especially when you get some beenz up it ;D

Hope you are feeling very pleased with yourself!

(http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/happycow.jpg)

argh - im having trouble with my mobile and cant send pics - wanted to show my greenhouse frame is up...

never mind >:(

i am even more pleased now i have a new pic ... thanks for that ...

;D ;D ;D ;D ;)

i love that little moo nearly as much as my allotment ;)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: onionhead on April 28, 2006, 23:24:10: Yeah, inspirational pics! Great to see how it's all coming together. (Gives me hope for my own miserable couch-choked plot!) :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: Svea on April 30, 2006, 10:26:05: Quote from: supersprout on April 28, 2006, 10:03:07
That isn't a wonky fence, it's Art ;)

so true - look at this thread from last year!
memorial allotments (http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,11241.0)

great to see your updates :)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on May 02, 2006, 12:34:31: managed to get pics to pc... ;) ;D

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/042a6879.jpg)

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/855643cd.jpg)

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/98044763.jpg)

(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/e1c38107.jpg)
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on May 21, 2006, 14:11:31: Hello all - not posted for a while - so here are some new pics :D

here's my spuds pokin out .. after being earthed up ;)
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/1072ffec.jpg)

i planted the sweetcorn ;D
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/9411b39e.jpg)

and put 3 tomato plants in - (ive got lots - no one told me not to sow all the seed in the packet)
(http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/cowellen/5b1af83a.jpg)
my onions coming up in the background :o :o

cant wait to see whats happened up there

its rained for days - hate to think what the weeds look like ... :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on May 21, 2006, 14:24:28: Love the update - you have been busy. Great minds think alike, I have just posted a lottie update ;D

Is the greenhouse finished yet?
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: supersprout on May 21, 2006, 15:16:05: crikey moo, you HAVE been busy! it's looking sooooo impressive! :o ;D
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on May 21, 2006, 19:30:41: Quote from: SMP1704 on May 21, 2006, 14:24:28
Love the update - you have been busy. Great minds think alike, I have just posted a lottie update ;D

Is the greenhouse finished yet?

nope - the greenhouse isnt finished yet :'(
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: SMP1704 on May 21, 2006, 19:36:25: Oh - a sore point? Do you want to talk/rant about it??
Title: Re: moo's plot
Post by: cowellen on May 22, 2006, 20:36:12: sent u a pm ... ;)