Not gettin very far

[sunflower]

I need cheering up, went down to allotment today got spuds hoorahh  :D but,the rest of my plot is a very sorry affair. The ground is clay so after all the rain we`ve had so far the soil is just soo heavy large thick clumps which won`t break down, then when the sun does come out it sets it like concrete. Not really getting anywhere, thought i`d mark out four beds 4ftx15ft & cover with membrane is that a good idea?. Probaly won`t get a lot planted this year but thought it would be better to get soil in good condition first. Seemed like a good idea to get a lottie not so sure now. Please please give me some hope as i do want to make this work :-\.

[sunflower]

[jethro]

Hi Sunflower, cheer up i've got the same problem, but with manure and grit we will get there. I have built raised beds and covered them with black polythene and it works as i've just planted some onions and pots so be brave carry, on and everything will work out in the end.
My saying is never say die  ;D.

Hope this has helped  :-\

[tim]

 - on top of which, he'll share a drop of his rum with you!! - the secret of everlasting life?? = Tim

[jethro]

As you can see tim a 'drop' of the old ho ho ho does you no harm  ;D

[budgiebreeder]

Dont loose heart Sunflower,mine was like that.I't has taken quite a while to get it to what its like now but it can be done.plenty manure and compost etc.and bit by bit you will see it improve.

[Wicker]

Oh Sunflower please don't give up.  You've a lifetime to enjoy the lottie.  Anyway if it never is "perfect" so what!

You'll be out in the fresh air getting exercise (gentle or hard whatever suits your mood) not paying money to a gym and not pounding the pavements in the pouring rain (apologies to all fitness people but "exercise" was never my thing so I am biased)  

Thing is just to know that in the long run it'll be great.  Plant what you can when you can, weed regularly and ENJOY!!

Megan

[Mrs Ava]

Hey Sunflower, you have spuds in, that is great, and you know they will be the best spuds in the world ever!!!

An allotment holder who gets a perfectly weeded and dug plot, has won the lottie lottery!  Everyone has different problems to deal with, but at the end of the day, it is your wee plot so you do things at your pace.  My new plot is covered, and I mean covered in couch grass.  There is a better lawn there than in my back garden!  Hell it is hard going, tis near killing me trying to dog it, and it has a band of thick orange clay right at the surface, and like your plot, it dries like concrete.

Of course it was a good idea to get an allotment, out there, in the fresh air, communing with nature  ;D.  Tis good for the soul, it really is!  ;D

[Mimi]

Just a little bit of advice Sunflower.  I used membrane on my lottie but as it wasnt very thick it let the light through.  When I removed it the weeds underneath had grown much better than the ones without the membrane. A superb crop in fact >:(.  If I was to do it again I would still use the membrane but would cover this with a bit of old carpet (in small pieces as it makes it easier to remove if wet and yucky) just to cut out the light.

[allotment_chick]

Hang in, Sunflower - I can only echo what all these goods peeps have said.   8)

My advice is to take it in baby steps - set yourself small and achievable targets for each visit (if you manage to do more than that on your list the feeling of virtuousness is superb!)  

My first step was to clear a small space and plant it.  Mulched with straw, this helped keep the weeds down and began to break down over the summer to start adding that much needed organic matter.  Somehow this achievement stands to keep you going whilst you attack the next bit!

I use the woven polypropylene ground cover - expensive, but much more effective and long lasting than the non-woven stuff you can buy cheaper at the garden centre.  If you don't suffer with mice, black plastic double thickness is also good.  However, mine was shredded into nesting material quicker than winking!

As these wise fellow allotmenteers have said - it isn't a race and for my money an hour at the allotment is worth any kind of day anywhere else!  I have a suspicion that before too long you'll be eyeing up a neighbouring plot because you've run out of space..... :D

AC x

[sunflower]

Thanks guys  :)feel better now, just felt like i was fighting a losing battle today. But, must be positve i have years & years to plant & grow veg so each day, week , month, year as it comes.

[Wicker]

There you go, girl - Welcome to the club!!