Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: mummybunny on October 03, 2008, 16:59:31

Title: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 03, 2008, 16:59:31
Hi,

Well as you can tell by the title im a total newbie so please be patient  ;D. Well i have spent the last 3 weeks converting a useless graveled area in our back garden to a raised veg plot. Have cleared weeds removed bags and bags of rubble/stones and bricks. Have made a timber surround (very proud as all on my own) am picking up some top soil at the weekend hopefully and have a huge bag of compost ready to mix in. Im hoping to have a couple of potatoe pots and pots to make up for lack of space.

I am so excited about my new hobbie all my friends laugh because im 28 and enjoy this so much. Im hoping to find like minded people to help me on my path to a healthy and happy vegetable patch then maybe a allotment.

Ok im rabbiting now. Just wanted to say HI

lucy
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: manicscousers on October 03, 2008, 17:08:23
hiya, mummybunny, welcome to the site..sounds like you've caught the bug, no stopping you now  ;D
you're friends will soon change their minds when they see your veggies  :)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Georgie on October 03, 2008, 17:36:11
Welcome from me too.  :)  I grow all my edibles in pots in my garden and believe me it's well worth the effort.  Good luck.

G x
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Fork on October 03, 2008, 17:52:58
Welcome Lucy,hope you enjoy yourself on the site. :)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: caroline7758 on October 03, 2008, 19:47:08
Welcome to A4a, Lucy. Ask away, someone will always have an answer!
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: lorna on October 03, 2008, 19:52:06
Welcome to A4A, best site you will find. Good luck with your raised beds.
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: saddad on October 03, 2008, 20:22:24
Hi Lucy and Welcome to A4A... you know you've been bitten when you have acquired the inability to walk past any shop selling seeds without buying at least one packet... there are lots of seedaholics on here!!  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Lauren S on October 03, 2008, 20:33:04
Welcome lucy........Yep you have been bitten by the bug. Don't take any notice about the comments, you will be smiling when you reap the rewards  8)

\0/ hands up, I'm a seed-a-holic  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 03, 2008, 21:24:07
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome  :D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: star on October 03, 2008, 23:48:07
Hello from me too Lucy ;D, enjoy the site ;)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: elvis2003 on October 04, 2008, 01:09:41
hi lucy,had to add my welcome too! sounds like youve done tons of great stuff already,keep up the good work and look forward to getting to know you!
rach
x
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: littlebabybird on October 04, 2008, 01:27:55
hi lucy
welcome to a4a
lbb
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: cornykev on October 05, 2008, 09:35:51
Hi Lucy and welcome the Ayslum, and don't worry about you friends I'm in my very late thirtys and my mates laugh but always ask whats if theres any surplus. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: tonybloke on October 05, 2008, 15:37:40
Wotcha! ;)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: STEVEB on October 05, 2008, 20:35:46
Remember theres no such thing as a silly question
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: oakmore2 on October 06, 2008, 08:32:54
Hi Lucy and welcome!
There's no shame in growing veg - they'll be jealous when you're eating yummy fresh veg from your garden, and they're having to do a supermarket trip just to sort out their dinner!

I started on my first allotment this year and I'm only 30, so you're not alone doing this as a youngster! (I'm liking that sentence cos I got to call myself a youngster even though I'm not 28 any more - hoorah!!).

xx
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Frampers on October 06, 2008, 10:31:46
Hi from another newbie!

Hope that you're enjoying your new hobby!

Sharon
x
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 06, 2008, 13:04:01
Hi,

just popped out to the shops and ended up spending £7 on seeds  ::). So excited cant wait till get sowing lol. I have got some all year round cauliflower seeds just want to get something in i cant wait lol nothing better than cauliflower cheese and gamon ;D.

Any tips on on a good crop?
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Barnowl on October 06, 2008, 14:29:07
Welcome to the site mummybunny.

A bit obvious but if you're pushed for space try and grow as much vertically as possible!  :)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: SamLouise on October 06, 2008, 15:16:26
Quote from: cornykev on October 05, 2008, 09:35:51
I was born in the late thirties.....

^^^ Fixed.

Welcome MB & Frampers :)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: cornykev on October 06, 2008, 19:30:45
Ho Ho Ho     oh Sam your soooooo funny   not, you should start your own comedy forum.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 07, 2008, 12:12:58
This is what i have done so far (http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/pp73/mumybunny/Picture090.jpg)

Excuse the mess lol hasnt stopped raining for a few days lol. Im also going to be growing in pots to  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: thifasmom on October 07, 2008, 14:48:58
mummybunny i cant see anything :-\
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: tonybloke on October 07, 2008, 15:57:13
which end of the garden is North?
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: manicscousers on October 07, 2008, 16:06:51
looks good, you'll be amazed what you can cram in there  ;D
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: flossy on October 07, 2008, 16:52:47
  Hi mummy b,    :D

  Looks good to me, can see a great row of beans along the wall and anything else that climbs
  and feeds you !
  Can I ask what depth the beds are and did you find soil under the rubble you removed, if so
  the type of soil will reflect on drainage,   ooh a blank canvas and it's all yours   ;D
 
   Ask away,  there are lots of qualified peeps on here -  and me a mere newbie   :-\    x



   
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: thifasmom on October 07, 2008, 17:17:23
mummybunny don't worry i can see the pic now :).
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 07, 2008, 18:23:52
Hi all,

Tonybloke: - I'm not sure is the answer to your question  :-[ I know we get the sun all day when its shinning lol apparently its a south facing garden? means nothing to me!!!

Flossy: - well it was a hard job there was a homemade ( by previous homeowners) water feature in the middle. Was falling apart and very unsafe there was about 3 foot of water once i took it all apart! It had pond lining which i had to remove but all the water drained away pretty quick so i don't think I'll have problems (famous last words) dug down about 3 foot over the whole area and leveled it all and then made the frame up also new to woodwork but think i did OK. I'm also going to source some more topsoil and mix in some compost to bring the level up to about an inch or two from the top! Hoping all will be OK.

Was thinking Peas and runners along the wall? My 3 kids are loving seeing it come along. My youngest Lillie is 2 and spends every minute with me when I'm out there even insisted on helping remove rocks and weeds lol Lets just hope that she doesn't confuse the veg for weeds later on  :-\

Anyway have spent most of the day on this site its addictive  :o Better get some work done  ;D

Lucy

Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: flossy on October 07, 2008, 19:14:48
 
   :o  O M G , you've done so much !

    well done you and all credit to you and the babes [ they will do that - if it's green it's gotta come out }
     Will say , your woodwork looks a darn site better than my edging on the lottie - mind you it is only temporary  er hum,  till I get round to it !,

   Do start a compost bin, you have no idea how much ' goodie ' waste you will find.

   Beans and peas sound great, any questions about when to plant, where, what in and what with ,
   just ask,  even the experts hear something new now and then ;D ,
   
   You can plant Broad beans now if you fancy filling your patch but they will take up room and are on going for quite a while,   so you may find winter salads and spinach type crops will then leave your patch free for Spring, 

  Bon voyage and enjoy !   x


Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 09, 2008, 12:39:02
Hi

Any tips on what winter salads to plant and anyhing else that would leave room for spring? I have hard that you can plant garlic now is this right? Also would i have to make a cover to protect them?

Thanks again for all the help

Lucy
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: Barnowl on October 09, 2008, 13:43:11
Quite a lot depends on where you are. We've had winter lettuces (like Quatre Saisons/Four Seasons and Merveile d'Hiver)  in beds under enviromesh held up by hoops and they've been perfectly happy but London is a far cry from e.g. Inverness and I think they might need to be at the seedling stage already - Hope someone else can give a more definitive answer.

Garlic can be planted from now onwards. Ideally when the soil isn't too wet and it definitely doesn't need covering - quite the opposite! Here's a guide http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_april_3_garlic.asp (http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_mini_project_april_3_garlic.asp)
Title: Re: Newbie
Post by: mummybunny on October 09, 2008, 13:57:29
Thanks Barnowl I'm in Bristol so not too far away. Have seen some winter lettuces in the garden centre ready to plant ones so may give them a try.

Definitely going to plant garlic now thanks for the link.

Thanks again

Lucy