Well, after a casual enquiry of the local chairman one week at church, it turns out I now have an allotment awaiting my, ahem, tender care.
I'm guessing that mid-October is possibly not the best time to start trying to grow salads, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, peas and beans (my inital wish list), so does anyone have some tips for what to get started with?
I was thinking about maybe planting some daffs for cut flowers next spring, and do the edibles planting in the new year. Is that the best plan?
Quote from: Lizzie on October 16, 2005, 13:39:22
peas and beans
Yes, certain types of peas e.g. Feltham First and certain types of broad beans e.g. Aquadulce. Also overwintering onions, garlic, winter lettuce (I have Winter Density)
Hello there :)
As well as the above, you can plan the layout of your plot, either dig in or mulch with well rotted manure if you can get it, and generally plan the year ahead. Also you could take some photos for us to have a nosey at! ;)
Hi there Lizzie - we've put in Broad Beans and Onions - though other such stuff as garlic can be put in and now is also a really good time to put perennials in whilst it's still a bit warm and there is a bit of rain about so they can get established - things like asparagus, fruit bushes/plants, are well worth a go.
I used to live down your way - now am in oxford - what church are you going to?
Tim
Whereabouts in Oxford? I grew up in the Cowley Road area.
What a fantastic warm welcome, and some great advice too, I'm really excited about my daffs - surely the most cheerful flower in the world?
I confess though, at the moment my mind is more occupied with what to offer in the way of a home-cooked Sunday lunch bribe to get some friends over to help with the digging ;o)
Hey Tim - I've been in Beckenham for two years now and love it - I go to St George's church. Do you know it?
Lizzie
Hi Lizzie
My allotment is in Beckenham - Forster Road , where is your plot?
have had my plot nearly two years and have loved every moment.
Regards
Jim
Congratulations on your plot, I've just planted garlic - lots of it, and am about to plant broad beans, plus some spring cabbages - don't know about the timing on this though - in fact most of mine seems to be alot of trial and error!
Emma
www.losingtheplot.blogspot.com
Quote from: Lizzie on October 16, 2005, 13:39:22....
I'm guessing that mid-October is possibly not the best time to start trying to grow salads, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, peas and beans (my inital wish list), so does anyone have some tips for what to get started with?
This is a good site for planning if you don't already know it: http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/veg_planner.asp
Although not on your wish list, have you thought about soft fruit? Raspberries and suchlike are coming available for planting in November. Or how about a gooseberry bush or two, or blackcurrants? Things like the stakes and wires for raspberry canes can wait until the new year, so you just need to clear the ground and manure/fertilise it.
Welcome to the plotters forum Lizzie!. I'm planting winter spinach, Spring cabbage, perpetual cauli, white sprouting broccoli, garlic, winter purslane, broad beans (in toilet rolls to go in in November cos of Mr Mouse) and onion sets this month. You might get away with radiccio. Asparagus will arrive November for planting, must get bed ready :P. If it's too wet I'll put garlic in next month. If still too wet and/or cold I will stay indoors and make seed tapes, dreaming all the while of Spring ... Have fun with your new plot!!! ;D
And do post some photies for us to goggle at ::)
Hello,
Thanks for all the fab messages and wishes of support. When I posted way back when, I'd not seen the plot I'd been offered and, on finding out that it was a ten minute drive away, I decided to give that one a miss.
However, all is now well, and today I signed the agreement on a lovely little plot just three minutes' walk from my little flat (how come allotments are never seen until you want to see them - like infant schools, I guess - unless you have a small child to take there, you just pass them by...)
There are already some grape vines, raspberries and a passion flower in situ. There was a random clump of tiny violas in the middle, and I'm sooooo excited, although a tiny bit nervous about going there for the first time with my fork - surely everyone else'll know I'm a complete novice and judge me (sorry - latent paranoia to the fore!!).
So anyway, as it's December now, I thought I'd pop down there tomorrow and potter about a bit - christen my new (and slightly psychadelic) wellies and get the feel of the land (I sound like a farmer!!!!). After a trip to Homebase to buy myself a fork, that is!
Or (and this is where the advice would be _really_ welcome) plant something...?
Lizzie
Hi New Girl,
congrats on the lottie. Good to have one at last. Don't worry about what the other plot holders think. Let them judge if they want to. Take their advice if it seems sensible, but remember you're likely to have any number of differing opinions.
I found the best way to get to know my plot was to get in and start weeding. No option really- no weeding, no veg! Get to know your enemy. I've had fantastic and legendary battles against the evil couch grass and I expect most plot holders do. Hard work, but it's all worth while when you see your efforts on a plate and then eat them.
Above all, enjoy it. There's nothing like it on a frosty morning with no-one else one the site. When it starts to become a chore, might as well go t' pub.
Best of luck.
B.
Lizzie, ignore wardy, she never answers in sentences .... it's allways bliddy paragraphs ! < runs for cover ..
Hey Lizzie!!! I hope your new plot is everything you hoped for!
As a recent Newbie myself, I was also a little daunted, but fear not! Boris is right - you will receive a plethora of advice, some useful, and some confusing. But that is where A4A really helps. You can check out the Urban (or Allotment) Myths, and benefit from a huge range of experience, from REALLY helpful and friend folk.
But I'm SURE there are really nice people on your site, who will be only too glad to listen to any questions you might have, and set you mind at ease.
Oh, and one other thing! They cannot tell if you are a Newbie just by looking at your shiney new fork and Wellies!
:)
Good luck!
Jimbo in Cardiff
Hey Lizzie and welcome! Hope you manage to persuade mates to help. You could just act as if it's already been arranged, look confued and hurt, they'll feel so awful they'll dig the whole thing for you, just blame their dreadful mamories.. Wardy, think a portrait of you would look wonderful over the fire place...... ;D
I don't know how I missed this thread, just noticed it now ...
Anyway welcome Lizzie, from one of the crusty old farts on this site. You have already had loads of good advice, so I won't add to that, except to emphasise we all start off as novices ... in many ways I still feel like one ;D
Enjoy a wonderful hobby ...
Derekthefox :D
My big sister used to live on Perth Road in Beckenham...
Oh, and welcome Lizzie!
Ohmigod!! I've just come back from my very first potter on the lot, and I LOVE IT!! There's already so much there - currants (I think) gooseberries, a gazillion strawberries, grapes... and only a smattering of little green weeds and errant grass.
The soil is fantastic (to my very inexperienced eye) - nice and crumbly and not claggy at all. As I don't have any tools yet, I pulled lots of weeds by hand, and they came up beautifully with loads of roots. Hurrah!
And now? I'll send this message, put a casserole in the oven, listen to the repeat of I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue on t'interweb, and read up on how to prune stuff! Blissful Sunday.
I have taken some pictures and I'll upload them - just as soon as I can work out how!!
I am happy for you to go on Wardy, it means I can keep my posts a little shorter ... ;D
Derekthefox :D
Cheeky ? Moi? Perish the thought ...
Derekthefox :D
Welcome to the madhouse Lizzie ;D
Delilah. Thank you, now I know why I spend so much time on here ..IT'S A MADHOUSE ;D unlike the celebrities I don't want to shout GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!
Oh dear, looks we're too late to help her...the infection is too far gone...Glad you had a wonderful time, Lizzie! And Lorna, don't think you'll be allowed out, hun..... ;D ;)
Forgot....did look at spelling, Wards, thought I'd done well today, was uite chuffed!! ???
I got my lottie in september, I wasn't going to bother planting anything till next year, but I couldn't wait that long I just had to start ;D today planted gooseberries. blackcurrants and raspberries. Ive got a blackberry to put in and rhubarb is next on my list. do a google search for the gardeners alamac, it gives you a month by month guide of things to do and plant ;D
Thanks for the reminder about rhubarb - now's about the time to divide crowns, isn't it? My parents have a five year old crown in their Lincolnshire garden - I might ask for half of it for Christmas.
I told my Brownies tonight about my new lottie, and they are almost as excited as me. I've promised they can come and do some gardening when the evenings are lighter. My plan is to grow a meal - a patch with peppers, tomatoes, basil and parsley to make pizzas. They'll all have their gardening badge before long! (http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/xq/asp/sID.337/aID.856/qx/new/members/article.asp)
Lizzie
Are you from Lincolnshire Lizzie or has your parents retired up here.
It's alright, I won't go on about the shortage of dentists and the amount of council tax us natives have to pay.
Hi Lizzie
I got my lottie in October. It was not to bad as it had been worked right up until June. everyone said they could not believe how quick the weeds had come up, it has been easy to dig but I'm still clearing the weeds.
A man from the next lottie gave me some raspberry canes, so I planted these in a space I had cleared about 31 canes in two rows hope I get lots of fruit, them mum & dad gave me some rhubarb & strawberries which I planted 2 weeks ago. I felt better once I had got something planted I just felt I was digging and not getting any where.
I just do a couple of hours Sat & Sun little and often as the saying goes. But I do enjoy it, it lovely and peaceful up there and the birds like to follow me around when I'm digging and I am slowly getting there.
Just picking the seeds I want to plant I'm trying Dobies for my order.
Just enjoy Kim
Welcome Kim. Looks like you have made a good start on your allotment. Good luck and most of all ENJOY
Hello Kim and Welcome - enter at your own risk - its addictive you know ;D