Little time, big dreams

[Diana]

What's everyone's top tips for people who want to grow lots of veg, but maybe have less time than is required for a conventional dig/sow/water/thin/water/weed/water etc system.

That's both "systems" and crops.

I ask as I'm interested + it might help anyone floundering in the sudden onslaught this time of year brings.

To start the ball rolling, mine would be try sheet mulching - it's worked really well around my onions this year and I've not had to worry about disturbing or damaging them when hoeing, but beware when using it with plants the slugs love - gives them somewhere to hide.

D

[Diana]

[terrace max]

My tip would be: find more time for growing your own food!

[Diana]

...and space!;)

Not always possible to free up more time though. Could spend less time here though...

Note to self - must use more vertical space to free up the horizontal! ::)

[spacehopper]

He he!

How about recruiting another person or family to share the workload?

Caz

[daveandtara]

we have saved the most time and effort by always cheking on here 1st.
if we'd gone with the book advice we'd have planted nothing and still be fruitlessly digging.
as it is, we've covered more than we've dug, we've ordered plug plants from dobies (who we'd never heard of) and we've plenty of hard ground to plant our cabbages on!
aww shucks!  ::)
thanks guys
Dave and Tara xx

[wardy]

It's easy to say find more time.  From where?  A lot of blokes on the lotty don't have to do the washing, washing up, cooking, cleaning, ironing, school run, packed lunches, homework, walking the dog, taking the kids everywhere.  The list is endless.   Terrace max is absoultely right - find more time to spend on the lotty and less time doing all the other stuff  ;D ;D

Good luck  :)

[terrace max]

As a full-time father of three, 4 and under, I'm one bloke who knows what you mean.

However, because I can name at least 3 Big Brother contestants there must be more time...

[daveandtara]

terrace max! that really IS sad! at least bb is on too late to be lottie ing  ;D

[terrace max]

Derek, Kemal & Makosi.

(That's the names of the BB contestants, not my kids).

[wardy]

TM   You have too much time on your hands! Big Brother my goodness  :o :o  You should be banished to your plot for the duration of the programme and forced to weed your plot with a blunt spoon  ;D ;D

[terrace max]

in the dark?? I might fall over my borage...

[Derekthefox]

Who is Big Brother?

[redimp]

It's a book by George Orwell recounts life in a totalitarian state in which the citizens are permanently observed through their television sets which broadcast propagander from Big Brother...
;D

[wardy]

TM  Do you not have a paraffin lamp on your plot?  I got one off ebay in case I needed to potter in the shed in the dark  ;D   Well, that's my excuse  :)

[amphibian]

As a full-time father of three, 4 and under, I'm one bloke who knows what you mean.

However, because I can name at least 3 Big Brother contestants there must be more time...

I am another full-time father. My solution is to make the chitting live on the allotment.

[terrace max]

TM  Do you not have a paraffin lamp on your plot?

I'm not into that new-fangled electronics stuff Wardy...

I am another full-time father. My solution is to make the chitting live on the allotment.

Greetings comrade Amphibian! We know the meaning of work unlike those work shy fops with 'jobs'... but...erm...what's 'the chitting' - is that something to do with spuds?? ???

[amphibian]

Greetings comrade Amphibian! We know the meaning of work unlike those work shy fops with 'jobs'... but...erm...what's 'the chitting' - is that something to do with spuds?? ???

He he, no 'the chitting' is just the kid: my daughter. I thought if we can name our children in terms of goats, why not in terms of spuds. Sorry I think I am going mad.

[terrace max]

Occupational hazard....!

[wardy]

Amphib     I think you were really quite sane when you first arrived here.  I note your mental decline has not taken long  ;)

TM          ;D 

[Diana]

It's easy to say find more time.  From where?  A lot of blokes on the lotty don't have to do the washing, washing up, cooking, cleaning, ironing, school run, packed lunches, homework, walking the dog, taking the kids everywhere.  The list is endless.   Terrace max is absoultely right - find more time to spend on the lotty and less time doing all the other stuff  ;D ;D

Good luck  :)

I'm with you on that one!!! ;D ::)