Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: gerkin on May 01, 2010, 19:41:08
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hi ,picked up the key to the allotment today i have half a plot in essex
shared by me and the other arf and a mate and his kids
the foreground has been turned over and cleared today ,the back is very uneven and needs leveling ,
we plan to just plant the foreground this year and improve the back little and often
have been told spuds are the best for a new area to help brak up the soil etc ,any other recomendations ? have already raised corn and corgettes
,just have to try a few other things [ pumpkins onion sets] till we learn the ropes
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/allotment25410.jpg)
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Hiya, gerkin, welcome to a4a ;D
brilliant time to start a plot, happy growing
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The front should be easy to break in from the look of it. As for the back, dig it over roughly and put early spuds in; either get them quick while they're still about or get them later for second cropping if it's going to take a while. You can put first earlies in up to midsummer and get a crop outdoors, as long as the blight keeps off. They swamp most of the weeds, and you get any survivors out as you lift the crop.
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Hello Gerkin.
I would suggest you plant some runner beans in a cleared area. These should give you a very good return for the planting space.
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welcome Gerkin
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.
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Welcome to the forum!! ;)
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welcome Gerkin
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.
You need a cast iron back with a hinge in it. Wish I had one!
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welcome to A4A Gerkin and congratulations on the plot :)
Remember a little and often is the best bet, and any areas you are not using straight away try and cover them to keep the weeds down (and therefore your work!)
Happy growing
1066
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welcome Gerkin
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.
Good advice, Davy!
Welcome, Gerkin! Whereabouts in the country are you?
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The front should be easy to break in from the look of it. As for the back, dig it over roughly and put early spuds in; either get them quick while they're still about or get them later for second cropping if it's going to take a while. You can put first earlies in up to midsummer and get a crop outdoors, as long as the blight keeps off. They swamp most of the weeds, and you get any survivors out as you lift the crop.
there are some in the lottie shop ,what variety do you recommened ? do i need to chit?
runner beans sound good still have some seeds left from last year that did not get used in the garden
im in upminster essex
thanks for all the replies and advice
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Anything in a site shop is likely to be a standard reliable variety. If you delay long it'll be too late for maincrops, but earlies will still be fine to plant. You could try asking around to see what spuds do well on your site.
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Welcome gerkin...enjoy your new plot
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Welcome to the site, i'm only a few miles from you(just the other side of Gallows Corner) and have some spare black plastic if you want some to smother the weeds.
As some of the others have said, take your time and enjoy.
Neil
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Right here goes, my first attempt at posting ;D
Hi everyone another newbie here although i must confess been a non participating lurking member for a while now pinching idea's. advice etc etc.
My lottie is in Slough and i've had it for 4 years. Although it was hard work to start with at the beginning every year has got easier and easier.
I must admit all the ideas and advice i've found on here have been invaluable so a big thank you from me in advance.
Jim
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Hiya, Jim..welcome to the nut house ;D
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welcome to the forum, Jimbo
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Welcome Gherkin and Jim :)
I'll echo the advice given already and my favourite saying
"you can't eat an elephant in one sitting"
small bites :)
enjoy
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Another vote for don't break your neck, do only what you can, and the wonder of weed suppressant coverings... ;D
Also, remember to take lots and lots of pictures as you go. It's the best encouragement in the world for the days when you feel you're getting nowhere.
Oh, and keep records of what crops you planted where (photos are good for this, too). It's amazing how easy it is to forget after a couple of years, and if you're going to rotate crops year on year, it's info you'll need.
Welcome to A4A Gerkin and Jimbo.
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Welcome to A4A Jimbo ;D
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Welcome to the site, i'm only a few miles from you(just the other side of Gallows Corner) and have some spare black plastic if you want some to smother the weeds.
As some of the others have said, take your time and enjoy.
Neil
brilliant thanks for the offer will bare it in mind ,have glyphosated the back of the plot so cant cover at the mo!,,may be useful later ;)
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Another vote for don't break your neck, do only what you can, and the wonder of weed suppressant coverings... ;D
Also, remember to take lots and lots of pictures as you go. It's the best encouragement in the world for the days when you feel you're getting nowhere.
Oh, and keep records of what crops you planted where (photos are good for this, too). It's amazing how easy it is to forget after a couple of years, and if you're going to rotate crops year on year, it's info you'll need.
Welcome to A4A Gerkin and Jimbo.
hi triffid whats that your riding ? i have a er5 for daily commute and 600 fazer for play :)
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as cleared on may 2
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/lottie4may2010001.jpg)
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2 beds of spuds in may4
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/lottie4may2010003.jpg)
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that's great progress gerkin ;D
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Hi Jim and Gherkin, welcome to the site.
My allotment is my sanctuary. My OH goes out on his Fazer1000! LOL
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welcome guys
great progress,thumbs up
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updated pics only managed a few hours after work in the last week but getting there!
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/006-1.jpg)
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Looks like it is coming on a treat, have you decided on what you are planting/sowing?
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Looks like it is coming on a treat, have you decided on what you are planting/sowing?
3 beds off spuds on left assortment in other beds may try punpkins never had the space to grow before!
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hi triffid whats that your riding ? i have a er5 for daily commute and 600 fazer for play :)
Ah, that, oh pickled one, is me taking a spin down memory lane on a bit of wonderful ancient history: the Kwacker 750 turbo... a real milestone bike of her time. 8)
Nice to have a work bike and a play bike. *sigh* Only have one bike between OH and me now, so it has to be a good allrounder: the VFR 800 vtec.
Back on-topic, I am mega-impressed with your progress.
Now, if you're even thinking of growing pumpkins, start your lottie compost heap right away. :)
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welcome gherkin and jim hope you have many happy hours on your allotments.
enjoy your first season.
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welcome gherkin and jim hope you have many happy hours on your allotments.
enjoy your first season.
enjoy the end off your season! come on pompey you can beat them wst london blues
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Welcome to you both and good luck XX Jeanninr
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about 5 hours work since last pic mainly digging out old tent and 2 plastic sheets !!!!getting there slowly but surely ,now have 3 beds each side ,spuds showing -radishes in between spuds as there a quick crop
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/lottie23may2010003.jpg)
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update,,,,,,,spuds coming on a treat ,,,,
odds n sods in other 3 beds
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/lottiejune132010001.jpg)
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Looking good! :D
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Looking great there Gerkin and a big HI from me to you.
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It's come on a treat ;D
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bet you are well chuffed! ;D
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well what a productive 1st 5 months loads of spuds courgettes onions sweetcorn toms cues beans ,too late with the butternut and pumpkin but will have a better gameplan next year ,well happy cheers for all the advice ;)
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11 months on getting ready for new season hill finally dug and levelled
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/londoneyelottiemarch11005.jpg)
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Looking good Gerkin,
Great looking shed.
What great plans have you got... :)
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What an improvement. So lovely to see the trees in the backdrop. Well done you!!!
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Fantastic, lots of hard work been done! Now comes the best bit, the sowing, planting and picking ;D
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Thanks for posting all the photos, it's all looking really good now. It's also really interesting as a beginner to see a site developing. You've inspired me to take a few photos of mine.
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Hello all, We are new to this forum and to our new Allotment, we have had the allotment for a week now and we have just statred digging today...phew....lovely to read all the posts and look forward to your advice and making new friends.
Tony & Helen A.K.A BillandBen ;D
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Hi Bill and Ben ;D and welocme to A4A ;D
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Thanks for posting all the photos, it's all looking really good now. It's also really interesting as a beginner to see a site developing. You've inspired me to take a few photos of mine.
glad it spured you on
love to see your pics and updates
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these are my raised beds completed over the xmas hols
(http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j175/gerkin_2006/phonepicsjan152012001.jpg)
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Nice and neat