Another amateur hits the forums

[sturdy_shovel]

Hi to you all
I have just got my first allotment, all full of stinging nettles and generally badly neglected. Expect lots of questions as the months go on :D , I havent got the first idea about keeping an allotment, but figured it would be good for me and my two young children.

[sturdy_shovel]

[Hyacinth]

HIYA! Nice to meet you and it's brill that you're another with small children who'll be helping you. Our latest young member is Ellis, Babbieboy's lad.....he wants  to grow a cow on his lottie ;D

Good time of year to be clearing a patch for some autumn onions? Something to look back on when all ahead needs weedin and diggin ::)

Cheers, Lishka

Babbieboy? Think I meant Baggieboy (tho in correcting this I still hit wrong keys....Nanniboy came up.....really must buy another keyboard. Most of my letters have disappeared...fun, tho) ;D

[tim]

Good for the waistline.

[Palustris]

And at least a good crop of nettles shows the soil is reasonably fertile!

[supersprout]

Welcome to the forum SS :) remember to take lots of photos 'before' so you can stun everyone with progress ;) and photos of little sprouts enjoying the sunshine fresh air strawberries tomatofest etc. are highly sought after too ;D

[spacehopper]

hello, welcome aboard!  ;D

[weedbusta]

welcome to a4all, a nice place to be.

[lorna]

Welcome from me. You will enjoy it here.

[Hot_Potato]

for Lishka....and not related at all to lottie :-[

you mention your keyboard and that most of your letters have disappeared.....well I have a laptop and for the 2nd time - a large number of mine have gone again >:(

the first time - I sent the laptop away and the missing keys were replaced (laptop was still within the 5 year warranty period at the time)....now that's expired and 17 of my letters have gone!

thank goodness I'm a touch typist and know automatically where the keys are but!.....it's still an awful nuisance ???

I've always assumed it's because I've a 'heavy touch' which I know I have - seems little people (I'm just a fraction over 5ft.) often have.

Unfortunately, I can't just go out and buy a new keyboard - it means the whole kaboosh!.....have tried 'writing letters' on again but have got in a terrible mess from the various 'inks' used! (marker pens or similar)

Thought I was the only person it has ever happened to so slightly relieved I'm not!

H.P.

[Hyacinth]

HP....hmm, I'm a fraction over 5' as well and definitely have a heavy hand ;)

Never thought of the cost involved when a laptop's letters disappear. I've a work laptop I take on audit with me so the prob won't be mine tho it will certainly happen in time. my Ps and Qs are pristine, tho ;D

Any chance of those small stick-on letters working on your laptop?

Back to S-S...sorry about that. Hope you don't feel that this detracts from the welcome you have here

[sturdy_shovel]

Thanks all for your warm welcome.

Well went down tonight to pay for the shed and the greenhouse and should get the keys by the weekend. I can begin work whenever I want.
The plot is full of couch grass, yuck and underlying it cabbages, leeks and onions.

There is a huge vine absolutely bustling with grapes in the greenhouse, though I suspect due to neglect will be all mildewy.  Also a lot of tomatoes, again though I suspect they wont be fit for eating.

I will get some photos posted up at the weekend, so I can show you the mammoth task ahead of me.

[Hyacinth]

mammoth task but....when did the last tenant vacate? Seems you've got some good stuff there - might be able to salvage some?

[MrsKP]

i'm still drumming my fingers impatiently for news of mine stury_shovel so many congratulations on getting yours.

i'm sure it seems like an uphill struggle, but stick around here a bit and you'll have a goodlaugh on the way as well as learning loads.

;D

[saddad]

Sounds like you've got a good one there! Couch is a pain but there are worse problems honest! Nettles are a great sign.. when field walking/surveying for the Archaeological  soc we always look for them as signs of human habitation... associated with old middens etc... good rich soil.
You should be able to salvage loads of that produce.
;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you've got stingers, it shows you've got good soil. They swamp all the other weeds too, once they get established, and they're fairly shallow-rooted. If you can get underneath them with a mattock or digging hoe, you can soon get them out.

[sturdy_shovel]

Spent all day there, am I stung all over and aching, but it feels great. I have some piccies, not the best quality as used my phone to take them.




And to my hard work today

[MrsKP]

congratulations, we can see soil ! you have definitely got the hang of it (both the digging and the pic taking).   :P

i do like seeing things progress.  it gives me the incentive to get back out there and do some more myself.

it really does make you wonder why the "committee" let it get into such a state before  letting it out.  but you'll have a warm glow (literally) when you achieve.

;D

[weedbusta]

it really does make you wonder why the "committee" let it get into such a state before  letting it out. 

i know, it makes so much sense to let people in early when plots are vacant.

well done on clearing part of the plot. remember to sit facing all your good work when you stop for a rest. (bet when you shut your eyes tonight you see nice crumbly brown soil with weeds and roots gone.)