Diary of a plotholder in Bowdon, Cheshire

[javahart]

Hello,

I'm new to this veg growing lark but had a part share in a plot last year with a neighbour.  I'd been on the allotment list for 3 years and finally got a lovely plot of my own in September 09.  The previous owners had constructed 11 raised beds and a fruitcage!  They had also been totally organic for 4 years, so there were no worries about nasty pesticides.

I can't find any pics of when I first got the plot but here's a few from about December onwards

New Shed added - £21 off ebay, (cost more to transport and paint!)



Beds dug over



Manure delivered!


Planting 1st earlies

[javahart]

[SMP1704]

Looks fab.

Lucky you - taking over a plot that has been so well cultivated (no pressure then ;D)

[lorna]

That looks great.

[1066]

Welcome to A4A javahart - that plot looks a treat  ;D

[Mortality]

Welcome and happy planting  ;)

[javahart]

Thanks everyone!

I'm planting a few seeds this weekend and probably the potato maincrop too.
Planting list includes (but not limited to);

Potatoes (early and main)
onions (white & red barron)
Baby sweetcorn
Salad crop (multiple variety of leaves)
Dwarf french beans
Butternut
Parnsnip
Corgett

Fruitcage:

redcurrent
raspberry
strawberry
Gooseberry

Anything else I really ought to be growing?

[Mortality]

Might be best to make a list of the fruit and veg your family like to eat, just to check you haven't missed anything.  ;)

[javahart]

Might be best to make a list of the fruit and veg your family like to eat, just to check you haven't missed anything.  ;)

Thats a good point and fortunately I've already done that, which is why there are no brasicca's on the list or broadbeans etc

The kids love the raspberry and strawberry but not keen on the goosgogs!  Not uprooting them, so will have to make a pie or something.

[1066]

the only thing I can think of that isn't on your list are Peas! Fantastic fresh from the shell, I have to grow extra as most don't make it back to the house  ;D . And with the kids in mind maybe a few pumpkins that can be theirs to grow? (don't know their ages, so just an idea?!)

1066

[grawrc]

How about carrots, celery, beetroot, runner beans, turnip, celeriac, herbs, and things like tomatoes, chillis, peppers etc? Too late for garlic this year I suppose.

I have blackcurrants for jam and coulis and sorbets. And white currants which I'll share with the birds straight off the bush.

Really depends what you like to eat. Mind you we were lifelong brussel sprout haters until we tasted home grown.

[grannyjanny]

Hello Javahart & welcome. We are not far from you ;). Your plot looks amazing. Ours is only a small half plot 50' x 18' but we love it. If you like squash other than butternut you could grow them through the sweetcorn, (look up 3 sisters), if you haven't heard of the method. There are some little ones, Hooligan & Munchkin others too. Carrots, nothing beats a home grown carrot & the joy when you lift it. Shallots, do you like those? Tomatoes, or do you have blight on site. Cucumbers. Have you somewhere for a blackberry. There's a fruit nursery at Kelsall way called Morreys. We got loads from there last year reasonably priced & good quality. 20 rasps, 2 b/currants, 1 w/currant 1r/currant 2b/berries & a b/berry all for just over £40. OH built a cage round them last week & I have been shoveling the manure round them today. Loved every minute of it.