Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: supernan on April 06, 2005, 09:49:12
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Hi to all, I am a Newbie on this site and have just taken on a large piece of land, about 1/3 acre. I have done this sort of thing before so not a newbie to allotment gardening, this is just much bigger!. It has not been worked for 3 years, hard as a rock. Friendly farmer :) has ploughed and harrowed. Still got lumps in but not too many weeds as farmer has kept them down over the years. I have one helper, pictured on my profile. He was very pleased with this mornings two ton delivery of mushroom compost and started digging right away. I am expecting a bad back aches and pains, but hopefully lovely fresh veg!!
I have just moved into the area and the locals are watching with great interest to see what is afoot. There was no green house so I have put one up with a wooden base in the garden. Its full already I now need another. The postman has already ordered his tomatoes, so it looks like I am going to settle in just fine.
When I get the hang of this site a bit better I'll put some pics on for you to see progress. Happy digging, Supernan & Bud
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Hi Supernan, sounds very exciting, welcome to A4a.
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Welcome to the site. It is a wonderful place full of so much help, support, enthusiasm and humour. You sound to have settled in to your new home quickly, I hope you and Bud have many happy years there.
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welcome aboard :)
not being able to imagine how big 1/3 acre is (how big is that????) what are you planning to grow and who are you going to feed??
svea
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Hi and welcome Supernan ;D a third of an acre does sound big to me, can't wait to see some photo's of your progress 8)
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Hi Superman & bud, welcome to the site, enjoy yourself, dont do to much at one time, try to sow things and see some results for your troubles, then move on to a new section, keep adding the compost.
windy ;)
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All sounds really exciting - how did you get the land? Did you buy it from the farmer?
Sarah.
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Hi Superman and Bud!
Well you are going to be busy, makes my little patch seem like a postage stamp.
What area do you live in?
Good luck and happy eating,
CLx
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Hi Supernan & Bud, welcome aboard this great site. Let us know when everthing is ready and we shall all come to home grown lunch. ;D ;D.
Regards Rosebud happy digging, not to much to soon. :D
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Hi and welcome to the boards. wow are you going to have time to post with all that land? I've trouble keeping up with my pots. Good luck.Val.
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Hi Superman & bud, welcome to the site, enjoy yourself, dont do to much at one time, try to sow things and see some results for your troubles, then move on to a new section, keep adding the compost.
windy ;)
Thanks 4 your advice. Land has determined extent of use!! some is too claggy, some too hard to use, even the plough struggled. So I am working half the width to the walnut tree and any other bits that I can force a plant into! Supernan
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:) Thanks 4 all your replies and suggestions. i have measured the plot 175x30ft. Someone work out how much of an acre that is please!!!! ???
I am only using part of the site, due to some being so claggy and some so hard the plough did not cope. It does mean a rather odd looking shape to the piece to be planted but who cares if it grows I will be happy. I'll get to the rest next year. I have planted three rows of spuds, Duke of York and two rows of peas Dorian. Just had to get something in it looked so bare and soooooooooooo big!!!
Can some IT aware gardener tell me how to post pictures?? :D
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Welcome supernan! (thats my Mum's name too ;D)
To post piccies I use photobucket, I find it easy to use.
http://photobucket.com/
Just upload to here from your computer, resize, copy bottom url and post! (hope that makes sense!)
Welcome aboard DP
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Supernan and Bud
Wishing you a very warm Welcome here on A4A
Enjoy the site great folks here
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Hi folks here are the pics as promised. DP I love you thanks for the advice as you see success!! Bud outside the greenhouse. Built by my own fair hand, cleared site and did the wood base too!! Yes it is level, ground has a slope check the roof line, perhaps I was a bit tipsy when I took this one.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/allotment001.jpg)
Allotment from end furtherst from home. Home is behind the stable at the end of the plot.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/allotment002.jpg)
I have planted three rows of Duke of York spuds and two rows of Dorian peas. It just looked soooooooooooooooo big and empty.LOL Site looks better than it is, to the left up to the walnut tree it is thick claggy clay, thats being left till next year. The top end has just been harrowed on the top surface not ploughed. I am going to put some raised beds here.
Bud has been supervising from the top of the mushroom compost heap. Oh look her he is what has he found now???????????
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/allotment005.jpg)
More planting tomorrow. Going to couch potato now. Cheers ;D
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Hi there Superman and Bud,
Sounds as if you're both going to be mighty busy in the near future. Great plot you have there. :D I have a third of an acre of land too but not a lottie - purely gardens. Just been digging out a new pond, bog garden and waterfall area. If you want a peek look under Ponds 'n stuff.
Glad you've joined us and DO keep us updated with your progress won't you?
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Here are the takeaway curry containers, washed and in full production on the window sill, south facing and radiator assisted.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/greenhouse11april2005001.jpg)
As soon as seedlings emerge take off the lids. No holes in the base of the container. Water just enough to keep soil damp. I cover seeds with vermiculite, it seems to aid germination and I don't get any damping off troubles. Toms were up in 5 days, oregano too.
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:) Hi I have a rotovator coming!!! Watch out clay soil your time is up.
My new friend, Beryl, introduced by another friend, Bernie, has downsized house and garden. No longer needs rotovator but needs to learn eBay and computers. So I am doing a swap, teaching her the computer and I get the rotovator. How's that for good bargaining?? Oh she may just get some veg as well.
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Hi supernan Got meself a hurricane lamp off ebay £0.99 so I can light up my lovely second hand shed (why, I don't know ;D) but I'm sure there will be times when it's dark and I'm on the plot :)
It's national downsizing week next week and it's already reaping it's benefits for you with your new rotovator. Hope you can get it started without getting a hernia or frozen shoulder ;D
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:D Hi wardy
How do you get time for all these posts?? You must never sleep!!
I have megga muscles worked in a riding school until end of Feb this year, mucked out 9 to 15 horses a day. Four hours a day although the 15 took an extra hour, so starting the rotavator should be ok, I have a mountfield mower and I can start that. Got that one from Essex Radio bargain line. Bought it cos it has electric starter and then found I can do the pull thingy. First time I used it I was doing wheelies cos I had the throttle on full belt, neighbour nearly wet himself laughing. LOL
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Hi all update on lottie progress.
Well the rotovator was a damp squibb. Wardy it started like a dream, then stopped and died when it saw my claggy clay. Its not really a rotovator I think my friend Beryl was a bit over stated its a Merry tiller best suited to well worked soil. So its back to the spade & fork!
I have some peas up and the spuds are now all planted. Some are growing well, earthing up with my mushroom compost. They seem to like that.
Parsnips were also planted along with Lambs Lettuce to mark the rows. Guess what, Lambs Lettuce 0 - Parsnips 1,000's LOL
Heres a pic of my pea protection (fat pidgeons by the hundred round here!) To the left of the peas are shallots and onions. Was very late with the shallots will they go to seed?
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/oilseedrape130505025.jpg)
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Glad to hear that you're making progress :) Shame about your having to break out the spade though ;D
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Supernan :D
Welcome back to nature!! Hahaha ;D
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Two pictures so you can see how my lottie and garden grows.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/allotment230505collage.jpg)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/collagegreenhouse.jpg)
:o WOW I am so pleased with myself, excuse the big head, but just had to brag my little plants are growing so well for me!! I stick them in and they do all the hard work.
Most of the toms are now in their summer home, large water butt sized plastic pots in the sunniest bit of the front garden. Others are for my friends Peter the postie and my local fuchsia nursery, Percivals Fuchsias, who always let me have their cast offs to nurse and sell for my charity Riding for the Disabled.
Even bigger head on this one I have got the hang of my photo editing and resizing on here. Hooray!!!
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Brill supernan! Looks like all systems go. I like the look of the cage. I could do with one - not for me veg but for the dog. I put him on a long lead but he keeps walking on me veg :(
Your photos are fab. The last one looks all pixellated or is it just me?
Keep them coming. I will take some of my beans on their palatial new bean support if the slugs haven't eaten em since last night. ;D
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:D LOL wardy its gone to pixel heaven. Will repost.
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Ta ;D
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>:( Photobucket had resized! Now got the hang of resizing even better LOL
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hi supernan and welcome god u have been busy and look so well organised , look forward to seeing updates as the weeks go on good luck :) :) :)
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very nice field you have there, supernan ;D
has the soil improved much yet? if i recall correctly, you had added tons of mushroom compost?
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Hi yes 2 tons of compost, got about 1/4 tons left for mulching runners.
Rest has gone on earthing up pots and mulching peas. Also used some in my tub/basket potting compost. Its great for helping compost stay wet. Really could do with another 2 tons. My back is now complaining.
This clay is going to be a hard job to get right. Mr Cresswell is emptying his cow shed soon and I am going to store this till autumn. Then speard on part of the lottie.
Thanks for the compliment dibberxxx. Boot sales this and next weekend to raise funds for next years seeds. So the greenhouse will be empty for the toms to get going.
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:D boot sale went well, nearly sold all the tommie plants, but not many baskets or tubs :(. Another large plant stall, selling baskets that were so blooming they will never last the summer. Mine are looking better now they have had another weeks growth so back they go next week.
Sold a tub to my neighbour for her Mums birthday, heard today Mum was well chuffed with it! Success!!!
I am trying to be self funding on the garden and veg plot. You know sell surplus to fund expenses then you get veg for free.
Have spent two days planting up brassicas in their cage. All went well until Bud my dog could not get in to me and burst through the netting!!! *!*! dog. Out came the twine and a quick repair later am in a good mood again. Also planting out squash, pumpkin, veg spaghetti and courgettes today. Have popped in for a lunch break and coffee.
2nd potatoes are peeking out so earthed them up as well.
Early to bath and bed tonight for me.
Neighbours and friends are already asking when will veg be ready.
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Supernan Great to read your uplifting post. Cheered me up no end :) Sorry to hear about your dog crashing through the netting. Typical ;D
Your tomatoes look monsters compared to my little weeds but I'm hoping they'll have a growth spurt soon (eternal optimist that I am)
Good idea about selling veggies etc to raise dosh for your seeds. I'll have to try that :)
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;D Hi wardy. Been at it again!! Next door neighbour swapped some hanging baskets for dahlia plants!! So have spent today potting baskets up. Had a surplus of petunias, Nemesia Paintbox and tuberous begonias. I forgot (its my age) that I had ordered them and had already planted up all my baskets. Now I have run out of hanging basket liners. I can't win LOL.
Also cut the grass. Had a real panic the mower would not start. RUN OUT OF PETROL!!!!!!!!!!!! Was real slow working that one out LOL ???
Still have all the Busy Lizzies to do for the shady pots in the back, peppers for grow bags in the hot front garden and the greenhouse toms.......and Granddaughter is staying again. One lot of runners has failed, think I watered too much, they were a bit soggy. OOps
Farmer Barry has given me some more veg seed, he has cleared his shed out. SO I now have more peas, climbing and ordinary french beans and purple sprouting broccoli. Don't think I'll put the peas in as pea moth will get most of them, but will try the others. I have soo much ground here and can't bear to see it empty.
Will take some more pics in a couple of weeks.
My Morning Glory's have just started to flower, they are planted with Black Eyed Susan, should be a lovely display later on.
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:D Hey yippee!! Its raining, first for two weeks.
I am now the proud owner of eight tons of cow manure. nearby farmer delivered two days ago. Great excitement for me and the dog......... He rolled in it and YUK ate some.
Today the heap is steaming away, it was so hot I think I should have put my kettle on it for coffee time!!!!
Next sunny day I will take some more pics. Lots of lovely plants growing. Bean frames and plants are in. All the spuds are up, brassicas are growing well, squash, pumpkins and courgetttes are a bit slow but nice and green. It is still too cold here, plus the lack of rain. ARGH this rotten weather.
Toms are all set out in tubs outside and in compost bags in greenhouse. Two melons I swapped with Kitty are growing, but again slow.... lack of heat & sun.
Keep digging guys it will be worth it.
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Hi all at A4A.
New pictures as promised. View from bottom of the lottie, greens in their cage (ya boo sucks to pidgeons and catterpillers), spuds looking very good.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/JUNE2005017.jpg)
This one is 1/2 way up. Runner beans, then french climbers. Behind bean frames are my dahlias, lupins and delphiniums. Grew too many to go in the garden!! Could not bear to throw them away, hope they will look stunning on the lottie. French and African marigolds planted round beans. OMG that hedge needs cutting again!!!
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y131/superninnan/JUNE2005015.jpg)
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Hey Supernan,
if your Merry Tiller won't cope with clay there may be something wrong with it, mine will turn over solid concrete, ;D slight exaggeration but my soil is solid Bedford clay generously dotted with flints as big as my fist, the MT has this for breakfast, it might be your technique, there's a knack to it for sure, how deep did you set the drag bar?
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Hi MT I am so glad you sent this message you are the second person to tell me MT is a good hard worker and ...........!! not correctly so I have been told. My friend Bill is going to come round and sort MT out. It has gone a bit slack in the belt deptartment and needs adjusting.
She is very ancient but he (Bill) is a dab hand at fixing things. So when he's finished his stint at the fuchsia nursery he's going to park his mobile home round here and do all my jobs. Bet he's still here at Christmas. LOL There's a fence to put up, the shed looks like its had too much vino or been in a hurricane, hedge needs cutting, ditch needs clearing, and on ........
I have got sunburn on the backs of my legs, shorts on today. On the lottie all day, hoeing YUK!!
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Wow Supernan....you have done so much!!!!! Have just taken over neglected plot so this is an inspiration!!
Ahem......am I the only member of the "Bud Appreciation Society" he looks GORGEOUS!!!! I have a cat called Bud, ginger tom whose character says he should wear shades and Doc Martens!! Maybe thats why I like your Bud so much...more pics please!! You should be so proud of what you have achieved so far.....well done you!! ;D
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Really impressed with your plot supernan. The progress you have made is fantastic and your plot is looking superb. You have worked so hard on it and it shows. You deserve to feel very proud of it. :) busy_lizzie