Allotment mistakes - growing in Spain

[elhuerto]

I thought I'd note down some of the mistakes I've made this year. First time I've had an allotment is Spain, and although I'm really pleased with the results so far, I could have done a few things a lot better.

Not preparing the soil better – didn't dig in enough compost / manure after clearing the plot. I knew that at the time but will have to start earlier and with more next year.

Ignoring local advice to set up irrigation channels around all crops. Paying the price with this one now as temperatures are daily over 30 degrees and watering has become a full time allotment job. Putting the hose in the channels as the locals do would save a huge amount of time.

Planting out tomatoes and peppers too early and wasting time on looking after them through ground frosts. Plants put out a month later are about the same size, although the early ones do have some good size toms on them now.

Sowing too many melons, water melons, cucumbers and aubergines, then potting them all on. Should have concentrated on what I needed and a couple more for emergencies.

Planting too many potatoes – not a mistake as such but space is now a premium as the weather's too hot and the ground too hard to prepare for other things I'm lacking.

Not planting more peas, they've been delicious but not enough at one time for a decent meal for the family.

Maybe I'll be able to post a success thread after the Summer season  ::)

[elhuerto]

[BarriedaleNick]

Do keep on posting - Ive often thought of moving to Spain (who hasn't) and wondered what it would be like to grow under those conditions.
If I listed my mistakes then Dan might have to get a bigger server!

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

Sowing too many melons, water melons, cucumbers and aubergines,

wish I could make mistakes like that!  ;D

[Deb P]

If I could grow some to maturity I would be elated! ;D

[elhuerto]

The point about the melons etc was that I really didn't expect the germination rates, then deciding to pot them all on and then being left with loads of plants I couldn't even give away. The ones I've planted out appear to be doing well but the lack of soil preparation may come back and haunt me later.

[artichoke]

I spent time in Spain as a 12 yr old and particularly noticed the irrigation channels, and the times of day they opened the tanks to irrigate them - but that was near Madrid (Cercedilla). I am slowly adapting to UK dryness with that in mind eg lettuces in little ditches.

[elhuerto]

I spent some time in Madrid a few years ago, Cercedilla has that great  square in the centre, right? With the cracking restaurants, speciaility leg of lamb cooked in a wood burning oven if I remember rightly.

[PurpleHeather]

Very Interesting. My friend who had an allotment in the UK went to Spain to live in an apartment and told us that they were missing having an allotment because there was no such thing in Spain.

How did you get yours? So that I can pass it on?

[elhuerto]

From what I've seen most towns have allotments, usually next to the river and they're privately owned. I was looking at one last month in the next town which was 800m2 and cost around 5000 pounds. They're advertised in estate agents so that's the place to look or in the freebie magazines you find outside shops and in bars. We actually rent ours off a neighbour, and will try to convince him to sell it to us this Summer.

[Digeroo]

I have far too many tomato plants don't know where to put them.  Allotment full, gafden full of blight in the soil.  Keep posting I enjoy hearing how you are getting on.   

I believe soil prep very important.  Not easy when you have a whole plot which needs work.   It has been too hot for me during the day and it is only 24.  Nice early in the morning.  Would miss the light mornings.

[grannyjanny]

Digeroo re your excess of tomato plants, could you put a sign outside. That's what a couple do round the corner from us with their exrtas.

[Digeroo]

I will  find somewhere for them.  It is just a question of how long they will last before dieing of blight.  Presume this is not a problem in Spain.

[1066]

Thanks for posting Elhuerto, makes for interesting reading on how you are progressing and of course the differences. I think we all learn from our mistakes, I'm on my 2nd year, and agree the soil prep has to be the biggest (and hardest) and most important thing you can do to improve your growing. And I'm still getting to grips with mulching.
I know I planted my broad beans too close and then suffered rust / chocolate spot on 1 batch, so next year I'll give them more space to breathe. I also think I don't have enough peas, although we've had several meals from them, too many get eaten up at the plot!!

Maybe I'll be able to post a success thread after the Summer season  ::)

Being an optimist I'm sure there will be plenty of successes, I know in my 1st year I just said to myself anything I manage to grow and eat will be a bonus! and besides I just enjoy it so much  :)

1066