Heldi's allotment

[Anne Robertson]

I guess the one (only) advantage of not being allowed a greenhouse on the lottie is that we don't have to contend with lots of broken glass. I wish we were allowed a shed though :(

[Anne Robertson]

[Heldi]

I know an allotment site in Newcastle where the council deemed it necessary to "tidy it up". Greenhouses and sheds were swept away. I think alot of its character was lost and probably some of its usefulness.My friend's mum was so depressed about it she gave her plot up. She used to hold barbies there and that was disallowed too. I don't think allotments need to look trashy but a bit ramshackle is quintessentially English!

[Heldi]

SORRY I mean BRITISH !!!

[Obelixx]

When driving through Zurich on the way to skiing we pass some of the neatest, straightest, tidiest lotties you can imagine.  All with straight rows of fruit bushes and winter veg and clean paths between and uniform little huts which often have lace curtains at the windows!!

[beejay]

I think that in some countries 'sur le continent' allotments are called leisure gardens & are regarded more as leisure facilities than purely growing plots. There is one plot on our site which has been recently developed more on those lines with lawn, picnic table, ornaments etc. This is a big change from the usual ramshackle 'even your shed should be re-cycled material' approach. My worry about 'garden' type plots is  that they might be more likely to be vandalised as sadly we do regularly get groups of kids causing damage on the site.

[wardy]

My allotment is turning into a leisure garden as my oh puts finishing touches to shed.  He's built a table today as he had some wood and a piece of yellow laminate stuff, he's also built a pergola for the runner beans and a shelter for my tomato plants.  He's putting decking round the shed next made from pallets and painting it green to match the shed  ;D   As we practically live on the plot we are eating meals there so he's built me a worktop into the shed and we're on the scrounge for some oven racks so we can make a barbecue.  Yesterday we had fish and chips for lunch and our friends came round with the lagers.  It was red hot and we had a lovely time  :)

Heidi   just keep going with the glass - you'll get there in the end. I've cleared most of mine but there's still bits left under the hedge but they're out of harms way sort of.  Just dog I have to worry about.  We've got rid of all our scrap metal as well.  Phew!

[Roy Bham UK]

;D Can't wait to see it finished Wardy ;D sounds Divine, I also spend a lot of my time up the Lottie and will endeavor to make it a little more like home...eventually ;D

[Heldi]

Obelixx I have a lace curtain up in my shed at home.  It was there when I came so I've left it. I quite like it. Makes it look like some kind of wendy house!

Wardy your plot sounds fab. I want to use mine like that. I want a sitting area where we can eat and have a drink.  Hope to spend lots of time there with the kids and will hopefully have some visitors. I can't think of anything more pleasant than spending time amongst ones veg!

[wardy]

I love my lotty and wish I'd got it years ago.  I help out on another one nearby and that one is just heaven.  That was a nightmare just last year and was so bad the lotty assoc had to get a working party to sort it and get the council to take the rubbish away.  I go there every single day - can't keep away I love it so much

This is the new shed on the lotty I help out on with volunteers helping to put it up.  It's now got a coat of paint and a water butt  :)

[Roy Bham UK]

 ::) Thought you'd just had a new / old shed ??? ::) or am I dreamin ::) ;D

[Heldi]

Heres some pics of my plot

[Heldi]

the weeds have been growing whilst I've been dealing with this...

[Heldi]

Later on.... same day

[Heldi]

Some kind person donated a superser fire,complete with gas bottle.

The pile of scrap that was supposed to be taken away. Half of it now hidden by weeds.

[Obelixx]

The lotties I pass in Zurich seem too small for a play area, though I do think a lottie social life sounds attractive.  All the huts are in neat rows and fairly close.  On the other hand, we do pass by in the depths of February so, apart from the lace curtains, the only thing visible is the occasional row of Brussels sprout stumps.

Your task looks Herculean!  Why on earth did the previous holder not get several of the stinky letters you got about all that mess - or has it beend dumped by others after he went?
Still, plenty of room for a BBQ and sitting area - you could use those pallets for some decking!!   Saw it done on garden invaders once and it would keep the bairns off any surprise glass till you're really sorted.

And that metal grid work for reinforcing concrete could be used as fencing or runner bean supports or, as I am trying this year, for rampant squashes to climb up and get the sun on their fruits.

[ken (69)]

Ooh you are a worker, Heldi..lovely pics.The rows of veg at my neighbouring allotmenteer not only were precisely at right angles to the path but also in line along the length of the plot...so carrot in line with parsnip in line with spinach in line with cabbage. I might ask him about housekeeping, I mean since the missus left....

[Svea]

what a difference a day makes, heldi :)

thanks for showing us update pics. who is the young chap in the last picture?

[busy_lizzie]

Wow!! Heldi that is looking tons better.  You must have all worked so hard.  Huge difference in such a short time. Good work!  :) busy_lizzie

[Heldi]

Thanks for the support! 

That young chap is my 7 year old. He's dying to get stuck in and do some digging. He and his little sis are to have their own bit to do as they please.

The big chap is His Madge and he won't thank me for that pic!

Here is his sister enjoying her relaxing afternoon in the sun.

[Juliet]

Hi Heldi, just caught up with what you've been doing.  So glad you got your apology from the eejits who sent you that letter.  Looks as though you are doing a great job on the allotment - what a lot there is to do though.

If you have a look at the pests & diseases section of A4A there's a thread about marigolds - apparently they are toxic to ground elder, among other things - so might be worth planting some!