Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: posie on January 26, 2008, 21:13:25

Title: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on January 26, 2008, 21:13:25
No idea if this'll work, but if not I'll put another link up!  Been a long hard slog but finally the veg part of lottie is almost good to go.
Before...

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/firstsiteofallotment.jpg)

After
Bit at bottom is my very sorry looking onion bed...... :-[
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/stuff002.jpg)
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: jockomorrocco on January 26, 2008, 21:21:46
blooming heck someones been busy!!!! pour yourself another drink i think you deserve it
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: Lauren S on January 26, 2008, 21:23:23
Looking great there Posie. Well Done  ;D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: glosterwomble on January 26, 2008, 21:30:40
looking VERY good, lots of work gone into that I reckon.
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: manicscousers on January 26, 2008, 21:35:51
well ready for planting, posie..off and running  ;D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: lorna on January 26, 2008, 22:33:10
what a difference, well done
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: star on January 26, 2008, 22:58:39
Wow, busy bee..........comiserations(?) to your poor back too ;)

Looks real good :D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on January 26, 2008, 23:42:29
Well the council did rotavate a couple of strips of it, but most of it done with a fork, one more dig over and hopefully I can get going with the planting.  Bit up the top by the shed is going to be fruit on one side and herbs on the other hopefully - well once my back has recovered and the blisters have healed  ;D

Now the big question is.....do I put a path through the middle and divide it into sections each side or do i run horizontal paths across it so I get very wide beds....answers on a postcard please.  I really want to maximise the growing space if I can, but not sure a wide bed is the most practical layout.  I have early carrots, not so early carrots, 1st earlies, 2nd earlies and main crop spuds, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumber, beetroot, sweetcorn, parsnips, leeks, sprouts, onions, dwarf broad beans and runners, peas and brocolli to go in.  Ok that's sounding like a lot - hope I've got enough space!
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: Eristic on January 27, 2008, 09:39:09
To maximise growing space do not put any paths in. Sow plants in straight lines using a string-line for guidance. Make sure you mark all rows with sticks and labels and do not be afraid to only sow a half or quarter row of anything required in small quantities.

Get bits of timber from the ubiquitous nearby skip to lay as temp paths where needed.

Grow to the max. ;D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: DeeBee on January 27, 2008, 10:12:46
Crikey Posie, well done!

Excellent advice from Eristic, I was a lazy labeller until last year.

I bet you are drawing out lots of planting plans :)
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: saddad on January 27, 2008, 13:32:59
Well done Posie!
;D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on January 27, 2008, 21:26:07
Thanks guys - I've got some loft boards I can use for temp paths as and when but I'm going to have to put some kind of path in for the barrow, so may put a narrow one up one side.  When I first started I was planning on making it look all neat and prettified with nice bark paths and logs as borders, but I think I'm going to lose a lot of space if I do that.  Really want us to be as self-sufficient veg and fruit wise as possible.  Was planning on getting some chooks but looks like we have a family of foxes lurking so not sure that's a good idea.
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: flowerofshona2007 on January 27, 2008, 22:10:36
Wow !! way to go !! that is one heck of a change  :D
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on February 13, 2008, 16:36:11
Well the beds are marked out and the first path is laid and my back is killing me!!!  ;D

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/stuff126.jpg)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l274/posiepain/stuff125.jpg)

Lots more digging to do though    :(
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: Cuke on February 14, 2008, 13:46:38
Wow, well done, looks like you've done some serious digging already! :)
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on February 14, 2008, 14:25:06
Yep, going to finish off rest of paths tomorrow and I've just bought a cultivator/garden claw thingie so that should make it easier to break up the clumpy soil hopefully!  Day off today though cos my back is still giving me gyp!
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: GrannieAnnie on February 14, 2008, 18:26:58
It looks like you've churned up enough of the earth for one season! Good show Old Chap.

Take care of your back though- you've only got one and spasms can set you back a week.
Title: Re: Finally got there!
Post by: posie on February 14, 2008, 19:58:38
Quote from: GrannieAnnie on February 14, 2008, 18:26:58
spasms can set you back a week.

Don't I know it - had one day before yesterday as I lifted something into car - the air was very blue I can tell you!