Been getting myself in a bit of a tizzy about what it's going to cost to plant up the allotment this year..
To say we don't have much spare money would be to trivialise our situation somewhat. Every seed, every plant, is precious and so it's taking some careful planning if we're going to get the best we can from it.
I was wondering what it costs you folks. How much do you spend on potato day? Or buying seeds or plants.
Once we get a year or two under our belts we'll be saving money by saving seed ourselves, starting this year.
So what do you reckon? A rough estimate even?
Niggy
LOTS and LOTS..and its never ending.. ;D
You can grow perfectly good veg with very little money...seeds can be bought cheaply. I bet you can grow lottie full of basic veg and spending less than £10 for seeds.
Once you start trying something bit different, getting trees and shrubs..well it all start amounting..compost, fertilizer.
I would not like to add it all up what I spend in a year..but its my hobby and I have to spend my money for something.. ;)
It is 1st of January and this year I've already spent about £100 for various bits and bobs.. :-X..and I don't even 'need' anything as such. Next week I'm going to get 20 bales of straw delivered..then soon is time to stock up with all fertilizers for a year..few canes..compost later on... ::) ;D How long is piece of string?
I have never kept any kind of record, but I do know that by growing our own food we can get fantastic healthy meals and can virtually manage without the supermarket for edibles.
By using own Borloti type beans to make spicy veg burgers you can make whole meals from the plot.
What you spend in next few months will save you loads later :)
I think you need to think about what you are going to use/need and what are the nice to haves.
Think about your basics - onions, tomatoes, potatoes etc and the glut crops you might be able to swap if your game enough for something non allotmenty. And if you think your going to have unplanted space look at filling it with something rampent like a squash or pumpkin.
Potato days are good but not if you have to drive miles to get to there.
Once you have done your list and gone though your personal seed collection anything your not using you can post in swapshop for things you might be looking for. I suspect the next few years are going to be bad for everyone you might want to approach your local allotment association about a local seed swap and see of your fellow allotment holders are up for it?
We get really good seed from aldi and lidl, pound shops and wilkies. Potatoes and onion sets from wilkies are good, garlic from the fruit shop. If you put a seed wish list on here, we have lots of saved seed, I'm sure there will be something you'd like . We have used herb seed for cooking and dried peas in the past, too ;D
Quote from: pumpkinlover on January 01, 2012, 20:11:17
I have never kept any kind of record, but I do know that by growing our own food we can get fantastic healthy meals and can virtually manage without the supermarket for edibles.
By using own Borloti type beans to make spicy veg burgers you can make whole meals from the plot.
What you spend in next few months will save you loads later :)
Have you got the recipe for veggie burgers please, PL?
Buy seeds when they are on offer, good seed sites on line look in the back forums plenty of information there, also try seed swap and share :)
maybe this is a new year project for the board??? We all record what we have had to spend on our plots and at the end of the year we find an average??
It's loosely based on a recipie in the Cranks entertaining book.
I do not really measure for this type of meal. sorry! I just add things till it looks about right. Also I make big batches and freeze so got a "ready meal" when needed
Borlotti beans (picked as pods just going yellow and then put in freezer) Cook till soft, drain and mash with potato masher.
Onions and garlic, cooked till nice and soft.
Breadcrumbs
Egg
Pepper, chilli, curry powder, buillion powder (usually add these to the egg so get mixed in better)
Mix well and and form into little flat patties, dip into more egg and then breadcrumbs.
Then cook gently in a bit of oil.
If things are really tight, don't be seduced into buying the more expensive varieties of seed - go for Wilkinson's cheapest, they will grow and feed you, even boring varieties are so much nicer once they are home grown. Freecycle for sundries like pots and canes, and of course all the free advice on here.....also, I don't know what's on offer this year but I've had free seeds from the Beeb, from Sainsbury's.....keep an eye on here and you'll see what's going. Hope things improve for you soon.
I rather like Lidl seeds. Seem to germinate well. Do you have a 99p shop they are good for netting and cheap trowels and gloves. and poundland for fleece.
Once you start to harvest it is easy to save on the food bills.
Once you get started seed saving can be make things very cheap.
Onion sets and spuds are usually cheapest from my lottie shop by far. (never known them as cheap anywhere else). I buy Kings seeds from my lottie shop for some varieties, but usually stock up for the following years seeds when T&M have their 1/2 price sale around April. They are more specific varieties so tend to cost a bit more than wilko and lidl but my yields, harvest, disease resistance are reliable.
Excluding my lottie rent of £24 per year, I guesstimate to spend £50-70 annually which includes all composts, feeds, seeds etc. Due to spare seed from last year, 2012 will not cost me over £30.
I started recording everything I spend at the end of July. Since then I have spent £60 on shallots, onion sets, garlic, seed potatoes, topping up seeds and getting a few new varieties and some fertiliser (liquid seaweed for foliar feed). I still have to pay £20 rent then that'll be it for the year. Unless, of course, like Goodlife I find something too irresistible!! Oh it also includes a couple of secondhand books.
When I started out I was budgeting £20 a month but I see that I can reduce that now to less than £10 since I have just about everything I need - even the promise of a greenhouse!
Freecycle, Lidl and Aldi as well as Wilkos and Poundland are good sources of cheap tools, material and seeds. Oh and Wyevale in England (don't have one here). Join the next seed saver group here and learn how to save lots of your own seeds.Also there are seed swaps in the group and many folk are happy to give you their surplus seeds. I also get given things by other plotholders and give my surplus seedlings to them. Start making your own compost - a couple of pallets will make a free compost bin - it's free fertiliser!
Plan your plot and sow enough seeds (what you'll eat + a few more just in case) at the right time for where you live. Successional sowing of small quantities (every 2 weeks or so)means lots of young, fresh, tasty veg. Buying plants is vastly more expensive (although I've done it the odd time when a sowing failed to germinate).
Once you get going your allotment really will save you lots! To be honest my biggest worry is storing all the crops! I also find it helpful to plan meals for at least a week at a time.(I actually do it for a month now). It cuts down on waste and means you find recipes that use what you've got so spend less on the weekly shop. It takes a lot to beat a crunchy salad or a chunky veg soup with homemade bread!
Good luck ! and thank you! Writing this has got me all excited about the season ahead!! ;D ;D
Just spent £17.00 on line for most of my seeds, I think you just pay through the nose even with the 3for2 deals, Brassicas plants and spuds will be bought from a local nursery, so I will be looking at another £15.00, :)
For us its worth whatever we spend because we don't do much else. We have fresh fruit and veg all year apart from the odd onion and potato we have to buy. We get all of the excercise and fresh air we need.The excitement you get when you finally manage to grow something that you have never been able to grow before.
There are so many things that make spending money on your allotment worthwhile
I think we spend £30-£40 we buy the veg seeds half price nothing to fancy we try something new each year ,last year it was melons (it was a failure :'()but we gave it a go.we pay £16 for the lotty 2 skinny plots ,we compost everthing and half 4 bins ,we buy chicken pellets (half price and use our tokens form Wyvales for money off 2large tubs were £12) were there pottering away most days except the winter,we have lovely Friends that we share seeds and plants with, we have fresh air ,fun ,and Friends what price can i put on that? ;) happy new year all ;D
For me the biggest single expense is probably compost - for growing in containers or for getting things like tomato seedlings going.
Last year my seed/spud/garlic/sets cost me about £70. Premier seeds on ebay do packets of seeds for 99p which is handy.
If there is anything you need in particular then ask here - the members of a4a have proved to be very generous!
If we take out the things we bought at the beginning etc Shed, greenhouse etc it isn't too bad. I think probably, £100-150 a year all in. I would say at our site you would have a pretty good chance of getting many plants and seeds as donations from other plotholders. Generally people love to share their plants in spring; if they thought you were struggling I think you may well be drowning in free stuff. Also a post on your local freecyle may give you an offer of packets of seeds. You can, of course, buy the seeds quite cheaply as has been mentioned from wilkos, aldi and lidl,
I just remembered :D the 99p shop did multy packets of salad seeds and vegs and flowers all at 99p oh! herbs also ;D PS( I don't work for them or have shares with them! ):) look out for them this year they were fine .
If you have a local Wyevales they sometimes have a swap bin where people put in their unwanted pots and you canhelp yourself for free. Alternatively ask around your friends they ALWAYS have unwanted small pots that they bought their plants in.
I'd also think about what will SAVE most money, for example potatoes are dead cheap to buy so is it worth paying for seed potatoes? Whereas other fruit and veg are ridiculously priced in the supermarket.
This time of year there are lots of things advertised on my local freecycle (seeds, jerusalem artichokes, tools). Remind us where you are and maybe someone on here can offer you something.
I hate spending more than I need to on my plot and tried to keep a record of what I spent in 2009 and it came to about £120 including £20 rent - the most went on compost. Other people probably spend more on crop protection etc (I don't grow much over winter, don't have raised beds, etc) but every plot is different and I probably get less produce than most so it's hard to come up with an average figure.
Also think about what you might be spending elsewhere in the time you are at the plot!
Quote from: caroline7758 on January 02, 2012, 10:28:08
I'd also think about what will SAVE most money, for example potatoes are dead cheap to buy so is it worth paying for seed potatoes?
Certain varieties are virtually impossible to get at supermarket eg PFA. I have only seen them once at about £1.50 for a small tray of 5.
You can get away with spending nothing except rent, if you're determined. Because you don't have to have fertilizers or fruit trees or shallots and potatoes, or sheds and polytunnels.
You can get seeds from other gardeners, tools on freecycle or borrow them, materials for hard landscaping out of skips. Or no hard landscaping!
My plot is very low cost, but it doesn't look very gorgeous ;D It's basically a long narrow strip of field with some food growing in it and sticks with cans on them ;D ;D
I have spent some money each year, on fruit trees and bushes, seed potatoes and shallots, water pipe and debris netting to protect crops, and I splashed out the other day and spent £3 on wood to make a rose arch :o ;D
I think I'll carry on spending about £10-20 on shallots and seed potatoes, and then another £20-30 on investments for improving the plot, like netting or timber. Seed is not a big cost unless you want it to be ;)
My biggest expense is potting compost but you can do without if you sow direct.
I've been really poor once and I know what it means. Work your plot for all its worth.
Dig, clean, tidy and make every inch work for you. Get info from the library shelves. Be careful how you sow. Most people sow far too thickly. A pkt of seed goes a long way. Mix it with sand, or bone meal if you have any.
Go to the charity shop [ or jumble sale if you can find one] for old net curtains to protect your seedlings from birds and caterpillars.
Get rid of slugs by cleaning up now. I chop the big ones up..I'm even uncovering caterpillars as I clear
You don't need to buy seed potatoes- the best crop we ever had was a from a 56lb back of Desiree from the local farmer, we planted the lot. ::)
That would give you a lot of baked spuds or chips..
Garlic only buy one good sort once then save your own.
Plenty of good help available on your site and here if you show yourself keen and ready to go for it. I'm sure there are plenty of spare broad beans without homes at the moment and I can send you some saved peas [Greenshaft] Get digging and get a smile.... ;D
I spent much less on seeds this year as I saved some and got some lovely ones to try from the seed saving circle. Some of the items I bought this year are invesments for seed and tuber saving for future years. Last year we invested in Globe Artichoke plants (tried from seed but lost them) and Jerusalem Artichokes. We have more Jerusalem Artichokes than we can eat and can replant some of the tubers for next year. One of the Globes fruited last year and we can split it into three plants this year.
Excluding potatoes, onions, shallots and garlic I will have spent, I suppose, about £40 on seeds for the forthcoming year, but half of them will be taken over into next year as well, so I reckon I spend about £45 per year. Our local pound shop sells slug pellets for £1 a tube instead of £3.50, also Growmore for the same price. I get one large bag of compost for raising seeds and make my own for digging in. Other than that, there's not much more outlay except the rent as I don't buy pesticides or other fertilizers.
I take the point that money is very tight at the moment, but then I think as neither myself nor wife smoke and don't drink much (well, in her case, anyway), nor do we spend loads on eating out, it's money well spent rather than wasted on what goes on the allotment, even if it doesn't always turn out like I'd hoped it would, because of all the exercise and pleasure it gives me, especially as I no longer have a garden. It sounds corny to say so, but I reckon the 'value' in the outlay is a bit more than just how it compares to what we'd be paying elsewhere at retail, even if at times retail might have been cheaper.
Not corny at all muddymeldrew
If money is tight this may not be a factor but I spend a lot of time on the allotment, rarely use the car when I am not at work, do not need to heat the house if round the plot. I only have to see the mad rush to the shops both before and after Christmas, and wonder how much of that is down to boredom, and reliance on spending to keep entertained.
Off soapbox now
I'm also a fan of Lidl seeds, they do really well.
When you buy a packet of seeds plant up everything and swap with others on your allotment site, this gets you more plants for just one packet of seeds.
Keep an eye on your local B&Q. they have what i call their "buy it now befor it dies" section. you can get some plants that just need a bit of tlc (like planting out straight away) for about 10p-20p.
if you pm me an address i can send you some bare-root raspberries and strawberries (i've got loads) these will spread and give crops for years. I can also send you some material for hardwood cuttings for white, black and red current and two types of gooseberries, red and white grapevines and a blueberry (but you'll need some ericacious compost for the blueberry)
lastly save seeds, then you have to pay less next year.
As we've seen from other topics, the size of plots varies enormously and this needs to be taken into account when viewing the replies. For example my rent is £47p.a. for 250sq.m.
Controlling the cost of inputs is obviously very important, and fairly easy to do. More difficult but possibly more important is thequantity and value of produce harvested.
This year I intend to try and record everything I harvest off the plot and the current market price.
I know you can't put a value on the taste of freshly harvested produce, or the pride the fun, pleasure and benefit of the exercise etc., but it may make interesting reading at the end of the season
size of plots varies enormously and this needs to be taken into account when viewing the replies
That's true..my excuse is that since I only pay £12 for two plots that are just over 1000sqm..that leaves me more money to spend for some 'goodies'... ;D...and I like to 'play' with lots of different varieties.
Why to grow just one variety of bean when you can have 20!.. ;D ;D
I always think, how much I would spend in a year for veg and fruit from shop if I were to have as varied diet as I have now. By growing my own I spend propably less than 1/4 from that enormous bill and still I could not eat as well as now. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-angelic004.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Goodlife, what a fortunate chap you are!!!!
No wonder you like to do variety trials.
Whereabouts in Notts are you.
I'm in Long Eaton on the Notts/Derby/Leics border
I'm in Sutton-in-Ashfield..Sandwiched between Nottingham and Chesterfield.
My sister in law used to live in Long Eaton so I know that area.
As for the price..it is cheap..but it is 'no frills' allotment..we don't have water supply unless you do harvest rain water or dig a well. No free compost or manure..no nothing. Only facility is our lottie shop..basic but good one and not bad prices neither.
I'm not the only one bonkers here with seeds..other just don't make as much noise about it.. ;D ;D..or should I say they are more subtle about it.. ;D
Srounge, scrounge, scrounge. Obviously from folks who don't mind that approach will save pounds. Particularly if you say you don't mind ancient seed packets where the probable germination rate is very low (there's going to be something!) or ancient stuff/spare tackle that is filling up folks sheds.
Plus keep an eye out on recycling days. Noticed just after Christmas is clear out time and got loads of empty pots, trays etc that way.
Not that I'm a miser or anything..
Lotds of good advice on here so far, my tuppenceworth is plan what you grow carefully. Only grow stuff you and your family will actually eat, sow it at the right time, i.e not too early so you lose your precious seedlings to the cold.
I sow the vast majority of my seeds in module trays then plant them out, this means they get a good start, germinate in ideal indoor conditions on a windowsill, so are less likely to be eaten by slimies, so you save money on pest control. Use cheap things like the tops off plastic bottles as mini cloches to protect your new seedlings, and lastly, use every inch of growing space well; grow cut and come again salad crops, or interplant fast growing crops with slower ones to make the best use of the space, this will all maximise your crops and minimise your losses.
Quote from: Nigel B on January 01, 2012, 19:51:27
Been getting myself in a bit of a tizzy about what it's going to cost to plant up the allotment this year..
To say we don't have much spare money would be to trivialise our situation somewhat. Every seed, every plant, is precious and so it's taking some careful planning if we're going to get the best we can from it.
I was wondering what it costs you folks. How much do you spend on potato day? Or buying seeds or plants.
Once we get a year or two under our belts we'll be saving money by saving seed ourselves, starting this year.
So what do you reckon? A rough estimate even?
Niggy
Are you a first timer? If not you probably have the basic tools already. There are 3 tools I need 99 percent of the time. My digging fork (could be spade on lighter soil, but we have clay), my trowel and my secateurs. If I didn't have bushes/hedges I would not even need the secateurs. And I could source the basic tools for a tenner at the cheap shop or Wilkinsons, at most 15 pounds.
To seeds - have just read in my D T Browns catalogue that they do a basic collection of 25 different veg for a shade under 20 quid. The same 25 veg types can be bought from Lidl for half the money or less, bearing in mind that you won't probably like and want to grow all their 25. A packet of onion sets and shallots can be had for a pound from the cheap shop, or Wilkinsons or the garden centre sale in spring. Potatoes - yes you can use grocery potatoes, it is only second best to certified seed potatoes, but they will grow. Preferably UK and not imported potatoes, as you don't want to risk any unusual potato diseases. Preferably bought loose. If they already show signs of sprouting so much the better, because potatoes can be treated with sprout inbibitors. Most of our loose supermarket garlic apparently comes from the Isle of Wight, so the same applies. Check the labels if there are any.
Get started right now. A packet of mung beans or adzuki beans from the supermarket/health food shop costs less than a pound and each teaspoon of seed will give a portion of sprouts 3-5 days later. Sprout in a glass jar with a piece of cloth and a rubberband.
Paraphernalia - think ahead about what you need. For example pea sticks, bean sticks, cloches, fertilisers, equipment.
Apart from a fork and a trowel, you need something to water plants with, to put harvest in and carry home, to shift weeds etc. Yes a watering can, a trug and a wheelbarrow are very desirable, but how much of these jobs can be done with a couple of builders buckets. They cost around a pound each and you can even upturn them and sit on them.
It is desirable to grow runnerbeans and tall French beans for which you need a tall support. What can you press into service for bean sticks? Thinnish long branches pushed into the soil and tied together wigwam fashion will do. If you can find long lengths of 1/2 1 inch of wood in skips, take them home now, because they will serve you well in June when you need runnerbean sticks. Looks doesn't matter to the beans one bit, support does. If you see something that might do the job, collect it now and keep your eyes open. Shorter ones will serve as pea sticks. There is the option of dwarf beans too, but in my location these are more prone to mice/voles which dig them up or destroy them. Personally I tend to favour taller varieties of peas and beans. It may be fine on your allotment and you can ask fellow allotment holders what they do, and save yourself the trouble and potential expense of bean sticks. If you do end up buying 8ft lengths of bamboos, then make them work harder. On the continent one stick is pushed firmly into the ground and 4-6 French beans are planted in a circle around this stick. Then there is a gap of 3feet to the next stick. Makes sticks go a lot further.
Compost and fertility: Seed compost is in small expensive packages and you don't need it. General purpose does well and can be stretched with mole hill soil, leaf mold (if you have any to hand) or your own compost for starting plants indoors on the windowsill, ready to transplant.
Nettles are a very good fertiliser, either just dug under, used as a mulch or put into a bucket with a bit of water to ferment into a 'tea', then diluted and watered around plants. Compost is extremely valuable and a lot of things can be composted. Pallets have already been mentioned for compost bins, but at a push a pile, preferably with a cover (old carpet), works too. Sorry if this is a bit indelicate, but human wee diluted has a lot of nitrogen in it and is sterile. It can be used on the soil and certainly as a compost activator on the heap.
You don't need plant pots. Not with all the vending cups, yoghurt pots and plastic supermarket containers that are just begging to be used. Punch a couple of holes in the bottom and get collecting.
One of the nice things to start peas and beans is the commercial roottrainer system. A system that does not disturb roots when individual plants are transplanted. They cost an arm and a leg. I make my own. I collect the plastic trays that supermarket fruit comes in, they are see-though and have holes already stamped out at the bottom. Then I shape my own 5 inch tall individual newspaper pots, using a bodyspray bottle to wrap the newspaper strips around, with an excess at the base. This excess I fold over to make the base of my newspaper pot, fill it with compost, whilst still holding it so it doesn't unroll. Then I place it inside a tray with about 12-15 others and have an excellent 'roottrainer' for 12-15 individual bean or sweetcorn plants. With peas I stick in a few more seeds into each pot 3-4. At planting out time, the paper pots, soil, roots and all go into the planting hole and give the plants a good start. Larger objects, say a drinking water glass or a wine bottle as paper pot formers, make bigger pots for example for tomato plants or squash plants.
It is desirable to have cloches to protect newly planted out or newly sown plants. The cheapest (foc) are bottle cloches. I cut off the base of any lemonade or coke plastic bottle, throw the stopper away and push it into the soil, on top of an individual plant or on top of a few seeds that I want to protect. The bigger water bottles are very useful, but an ordinary bottle will protect a single plant until they are no longer so tiny that slugs can devour them in one go. There are a lot of other home made cloches and lots of ideas on the net.
A large ball of string is also a must and a sharp small kitchen knife. Gloves can be a good idea too, the cotton type can be got very cheaply and will last for a while.
How much does it cost is really only half the story. The other half is 'what can I use or press into service' to avoid unnecessary cost.
As Deb said, grow what your family like to eat. To which I'd like to add, grow for year round consumption. What will you eat in winter, when not much grows. Will you have stores of stuff you harvested earlier or will you still have a good amount of crops in the ground, such as cabbages, leeks, kale, parsnips to see you through, together with stored crops such as potatoes, onions, winter squashes or stuff from the freezer together with stuff from your sprouting jars.
I didn't mean for this to be so long, sorry. Wish you and your family good luck.
Hi Galina,
What a useful summary of saving money and necessary equipment, the bit I am interested in is your root trainer system, but I am not sure what you mean by the supermarket plastic trays, all I can think of at the moment is small ones that raspberries, grapes etc come in - but there is no way I could get 12 -15 rolled up newspaper pots into them ???
Sorry for jumping into the thread, and hi-jacking it.
Iain
Hello
I save money every year on my veg and fruit bill. If i didnt grow my own i could not afford to eat raspberries, asparagus/sweetcorn, strawberries and all sorts not to mention the ton of tomatoes i eat each year. I drink home made rhubarb/elderflower and gooseberry cordial and eat apple pies
With seeds at 19p a packet at netto and with saving seed, freegle and gardener freinds I dont have to spend much money at all.
Compost is an issue but my familiy save all thier nectar points and i just spent £35 in points at homebase on compost and chicken manure pellets. When i swap things on out local swapshop I usually ask for compost.
But if i get money for christmas and birthday I will treat myself to some bulbs or a plant ive been longing for rather than clothes or shoes dvds or cds and so just becuase you could spend more money doesnt mean that you actually have to.
It can be done and if you are on an allotment site a bit of swapping soon means that you have a greater variety so get talking to the neighbours and giving them a bit of rhubard in return for some peas and before you know if you have a whole meal.
good luck
xDaisy
Quote from: banksy on January 04, 2012, 14:10:16
Hi Galina,
What a useful summary of saving money and necessary equipment, the bit I am interested in is your root trainer system, but I am not sure what you mean by the supermarket plastic trays, all I can think of at the moment is small ones that raspberries, grapes etc come in - but there is no way I could get 12 -15 rolled up newspaper pots into them ???
Sorry for jumping into the thread, and hi-jacking it.
Iain
I'm glad you have jumped in here to help clarify what I mean. I think the correct term is 'punnet', clear plastic punnets of the type that peaches, pears and plums are usually sold in, not the small punnets with lids that raspberries and blueberries come in.
Thanks Galina, I think I know what you mean now... I'll be trying this method for sure this year ;D
Iain
Thanks Galina - what a great round up of good common sense ideas. I am going to try a few myself.
We have a costa coffee here on site and we must throw hundreds of paper cups away every day. The make excellent pots and are quite deep - not sure if I can plant out the whole thing intact as the cups are waxed (i think) and may take too long to disintegrate..
Also must remember to ask them to keep some some coffee grounds for the compost..
Quote from: BarriedaleNick on January 04, 2012, 15:18:24
Thanks Galina - what a great round up of good common sense ideas. I am going to try a few myself.
We have a costa coffee here on site and we must throw hundreds of paper cups away every day. The make excellent pots and are quite deep - not sure if I can plant out the whole thing intact as the cups are waxed (i think) and may take too long to disintegrate..
Also must remember to ask them to keep some some coffee grounds for the compost..
Hope you have luck with Costa. I got a flat refusal. Starbucks on the other hand have a policy of recycling and are more ameniable. If only we had one nearby .....
Root trainers are expensive and fragile. I agree with making paper pots (newspaper wrapped around various bottles, cardboard tubes and glasses as described) and stuffing them into any container available that is deep enough to hold them tightly together.
Have I missed mention of loo roll centres? I have saved 100s over the winter. I only make newspaper pots when I have run out of loo rolls.
I often read that these home made pots need bases. Not at all. Once the roots have grown throughout the loo roll or newspaper pots, no compost falls out when you plant them.
Another thing I may have missed is making own compost for nothing? All kitchen waste here goes into two bins. Today I emptied out the older one to take to allotment. I am annually amazed that peelings and choppings and smelly stuff always turn into sweet smelling black crumbly stuff full of happy worms.
Except for eggshells. I cannot believe how many eggs we have eaten over the last year.......but eventually they do disappear into the enriched soil.
Well blimey!
Thanks for all your responses of both practical advice and the offers of seeds and cuttings. You are one very kind bunch of people!
For added background we are grandparents, with a daughter and her son living with us in our council-owned house in North Wales.
Mrs Nig works somewhere between part-time and full-time at basic wage. I can't due to health reasons, but only receive the lowest level of disability. Less than £20 per week last time I looked, it goes straight into Mr Nigs' account.
The allotment, 300sq yards, is not just new to us but also new to the village, so there aren't the bank of 'established' members one would normally be able to rely on for advice about what grows best where, seed-saving and so-on, and there is no-one on the committee that wants to run a seed-bank or whatever.
The allotment costs £25pa with an additional charge last year of £20 for the water. (Five taps for 22 full-plots although many are sub-divided.)
Last year, our first, was super-dry in the spring and we had to resort to buckets of ditch-water or water from home in a wheelbarrow to keep stuff going while we waited for the water to be supplied. Still, we managed to grow a useful amount of veg with some mixed results.
All of the Brassicas did well , we had very nice cabbage and sprouts. The potatoes did less well as a large amount were riddled with wire-worms, although the row grown in straw in the no-dig fashion (Something I'm going to have to apply) did very well, producing some lovely, clean spuds with shiny red skins.
The sweetcorn were a flop. Three packets of seeds wasted. Some as greenhouse-raised plantlets, the rest sowed in-situ, but the place is so windy, they almost all failed to get their feet down properly... Another lesson learned. Plastic bottles next year. And some sort of windbreak. (We can see the sea from our site. Just.)
I planted a few runner beans which did well, but I tended to browse on them as they were growing so only saved enough to plant out again. I also grew some cheroke trail-of-tears which produced enough beans for a full row this time, so we'll have those with enough to spare to spread around hopefully.
The borlotti beans sound perfect to use as a filler in casseroles and stuff, and as long as they don't mind a fair bit of wind they should thrive. If anyone can spare a few of those I'd appreciate it very much.
Carrots were good, but two packets was nowhere near enough. Even the dog likes them though.
Squashes and pumpkins did really well. They were mostly planted as a weed-suppressor as we didn't have enough stuff to fill the entire plot with and they did their job well, but no-one in the house, except me, can stand the taste of them. I've even tried sneaking it into casseroles only to have them inspect every bite....
Peas... were great. Again, nowhere near enough, but all we had. We also had some nice lettuce and spinach and still have one or two suede still in the ground.
Getting a real hold on the full amount of space there is, is difficult for a first-timer. There's no shed, but there is now a compost heap and we made a small wildlife pond so, fingers crossed, we'll have a band of froggy soldiers helping us in the war on slugs.
I have a wheelbarrow, an azada, a rake, trowel and hoe so I'm ok for tools. There's not much that can't be tackled with them.
I'm having to go the no-dig route where possible as digging is a "can't do." It's that bit where you lift the soil to throw it foreward, but I can turn the top over with the azada.
Saving enough for some straw to make no-dig areas, as well as seed potatoes look like being the biggest expenses. If I can't get the straw it won't be the end of the world, it'll just mean I can't do it on my own is all. I'll have to recruit to get them in and out.
Shop potatoes were mentioned. Is that really a viable way of getting spuds?
Galina. Such a practical and helpful post. We'll be certain to using some of your advice for sure.. The bits we don't usually do anyway.
Again. Thanks all. You've made a very useful thread absolutely packed with good practical advice.
Nigel.
Quote from: Nigel B on January 05, 2012, 13:51:23
. And some sort of windbreak. (We can see the sea from our site. Just.)
Getting a real hold on the full amount of space there is, is difficult for a first-timer. There's no shed, but there is now a compost heap and we made a small wildlife pond so, fingers crossed, we'll have a band of froggy soldiers helping us in the war on slugs.
I'm having to go the no-dig route where possible as digging is a "can't do." It's that bit where you lift the soil to throw it foreward, but I can turn the top over with the azada.
Nigel.
Blackthorn will grow from hardwood cuttings, and act as a windbreak and give you a crop of sloes to make wine/sloe gin/sloe jam from, are there any in hedges near you?
local carpet fitters may be able to supply you with old carpets (they have to pay to dispose of it) that you can use as a weed barrier on areas before you dig them. they may even deliver to the allotment
Lastly, get in touch with your local explorer scout leader. that's the age group 14 -18yo and they all have to do Duke of Edinburgh awards as part of their programme, which requires them to do a service, such as digging your allotment for you. that way you get a team of about ten poeple who will do it for free (well for food, which they'll even cook for you if you provide it for them)
Quote from: BarriedaleNick on January 04, 2012, 15:18:24
Thanks Galina - what a great round up of good common sense ideas. I am going to try a few myself.
We have a costa coffee here on site and we must throw hundreds of paper cups away every day. The make excellent pots and are quite deep - not sure if I can plant out the whole thing intact as the cups are waxed (i think) and may take too long to disintegrate..
Also must remember to ask them to keep some some coffee grounds for the compost..
Barrie - I would make a newspaper cup inside the coffee cup so when planting time comes you just plant out the newspaper and plant all as one.. then re-use the cup possibly for a second time.. No root disturbance this way.. I would trim the bottom of the newspaper tho to let the roots grow into the ground
quickly..
I'm going to do my sweetcorn in toilet paper rolls and plant the whome thin when ready so not to disturb the roots.
Quote from: goodlife on January 03, 2012, 17:34:54
I'm in Sutton-in-Ashfield..Sandwiched between Nottingham and Chesterfield.
My sister in law used to live in Long Eaton so I know that area.
As for the price..it is cheap..but it is 'no frills' allotment..we don't have water supply unless you do harvest rain water or dig a well. No free compost or manure..no nothing. Only facility is our lottie shop..basic but good one and not bad prices neither.
I'm not the only one bonkers here with seeds..other just don't make as much noise about it.. ;D ;D..or should I say they are more subtle about it.. ;D
My Grandad had 2 allotments in Sutton-in-Ashfield in the 40's and 50's first one I think was near the pub Speed the Plough and the second one was at the bottom of Jephson road
I have 3 allotments 13.00 per year each one with running water so with seeds etc I spend about 120.00 a year well worth the money both the veg etc and the exercise I get far cheaper than a Gym Membership
Quote from: Allotment-junkie on January 07, 2012, 09:56:47
My Grandad had 2 allotments in Sutton-in-Ashfield in the 40's and 50's first one I think was near the pub Speed the Plough and the second one was at the bottom of Jephson road
I have 3 allotments 13.00 per year each one with running water so with seeds etc I spend about 120.00 a year well worth the money both the veg etc and the exercise I get far cheaper than a Gym Membership
So what is it that you (all), as fully-seasoned and self-admitted Alotment-Junkie(s), simply
can't[/b] avoid spending money on?
And here's another general question....
If I had a packet of early peas and sowed some of them as soon as was practical, would there be enough time to crop them and plant the peas they produced, in time for another crop? . Stupid question? . It's ok, you can tell me. :)
Meanwhile though, what an amazing bunch you people are! ;D
I have had some super-generous offers of seeds from some members here. I won't embarrass them by naming them, except to say a very humble 'Thank You' to you-know-who-you-are. Your kindness has made a real difference, and will continue to do so because generosity of spirit is never forgotten, and always passed on. 8)
I have also sourced some of those waxed-paper or card cups to use as pots. I'll line them with newspaper to avoid root-disturbance by pulling the paper liner out at planting time and planting that.... Oh! And our grandson has promised to drink all the pop he can so we can use the bottles as mini-greenhouses. :) His Mum isn't so keen...... ;D
Juat started collecting the loo roll middles to sow beans and sunflowers in ;D
We've organised a seed swap on our site on saturday so, no doubt, there will be different varieties to try. Happy growing, and skip diving, and pound shop/lidl/aldi/wilkies shopping, everyone.
What a fantastic thread! I just love all the tips and information awesome! I am supposed to be cooking but I have accidentally just sat here reading instead.
I asked a similar question about how much to spend on seeds when I first joined here, as I was making a huge order at my allotment shop, someone kindly recommended premier seeds direct on eBay and they are awesome and far cheaper than my allotment shop, also I can stagger buying things there, you had to buy all at once for whole season at the allotment shop.
very surprisingly too friends and family have spoilt us with seeds and tools, I think being an allotmenteer makes it easy for people to buy Xmas presents for you, I even have a gardening magazine subscription,trug,posh secateurs rhs diary and calendar......very happy x
also other very kind gardeners and allotment neighbours give plants and seeds from their surplus, and it is fun to give things back so I am going to have a bash at seed saving this year where possible to return the favours.
really I have spent maybe 1/5 of what I thought I was going to spend which is awesome x
pumpkin lover the recipe is awesome thanks x
Quote from: Nigel B on January 07, 2012, 18:14:46
So what is it that you (all), as fully-seasoned and self-admitted Alotment-Junkie(s), simply can't avoid spending money on? [/b]
Quite a lot of my money goes on Seeds, Chicken Pellets and BFB (wont use horse/cow manure) and Petrol for the Rotavator , Mantis tiller and lawnmower (Grass Paths)
Quote from: Allotment-junkie on January 08, 2012, 09:27:54
Quite a lot of my money goes on Seeds, Chicken Pellets and BFB (wont use horse/cow manure) and Petrol for the Rotavator , Mantis tiller and lawnmower (Grass Paths)
We've got grass paths on our plot too, and i haven't met a strimmer i can't kill yet (including a big commercial husquvana left in our old polytunnel when we took our plot over, though that one didn't work to start with)
i use a push powered cylinder mower, the kind my grandfather had, you can get them new for about £30 and they don't need petrol
Since 2004 my annual spend for lottie and Garden has been between £80 and £120. This covers; compost, seeds, potatoes, Onion Sets, Growmore, Lawn Weed n Feed and has over the period included buying seed trays (in Wilko's 70% off sale one year) and a heated propogator along with some odds and ends. It doesn't include the lottie rent.
Seed lasts for several years if stored in the cool and I've reduced my compost requirements by sowing seedlings in small pots and then pricking out into trays the number I require plus some extras. I always give the rest away, so if you talk to your neighbours then they be throwing away their surplus and would give it to you willingly. As suggested previously, our garden centre sell current year seeds at half price or more in the autumn and I picked up £15 worth for a fiver.
While the men at our local dump don't like giving anything away!! during May you will find literally 100's of pots and trays dumped as people plant their bedding and clear out their sheds. Ask nicely; and I actually say that I pot up plants to sell for charity (which I genuinely do) and they often take a softer line.
I hope you have a great season. ' Fill your boots'....or should I say 'your plot'!
This is developing into a very useful money saving thread.
99p shop very useful. Last year I bought gardening hat, netting, trowel, 20 short canes (good for peas), picnic table cover (very good as a cloche),
A stainless steet hoe is a must for me, Wilko do a nice one.
I buy BFB in bulk from a horticultural supplier. Price have been going up sharply though.
But the first year still needs investment and for those short of the reddies could be stretching. There is also the risk factor that during the first year you do not know if you have green fingers or whether it will be a total waste of time and effort.
I live in Denmark. So now you can all be happy that you don't suffer our prices.
Here goes! Rent of plot: 150 pounds for 120 sq.metres
Seeds, seed potatoes, onion sets, etc. etc. the same amount.
BUT I did buy an apple tree. Cost: 25 pounds
I get stable manure free from riding stable and buy 20 kilos chicken pellets per year.
Make own compost.
But it's all worth it.
And now I must go and start the blackvrrant/redcurrant jam from berries from the freezer.
Quote150 pounds for 120 sq.metres
:o :o :o
This is huge. Though there are some private sites here run but a certain Garden centre group which charge more.
Are you in a town or city? It would be a very high return on farm land. Are all prices high in Denmark how does this compare with average pay levels?
The allotments are just outside Copenhagen. All prices here are high, but there is also increasing recession and unemployment here too. It's possible to rent half a plot, and my rent includes a little shed - more like a summer- house, and you don't have to rent one. Also there are tools, including lawnmowers and most other things you need which can be borrowed for free. (They are locked in various sheds across the site)
But no seed swaps or buying in bulk or anything like that.
If I look at food prices and at what I grow and harvest, the balance is definitely in my favour. There is 25% VAT on EVERYTHING and I mean everything!
As you are perhaps aware we do not pay vat on seeds and most food? But half a 120 sq metre plot is very small.
There were no seed swaps here until recently, I suggest you start one. If you save your own seed there will be no VAT. ;D
In the UK, there is an allotment culture of doing everything as cheaply as possible - skip diving, saving seed, collecting leaves etc. But this can take up a lot of time and also you can work hard and still be disappointed. For instance, my garlic was the best on the site last year by miles but it was down to buying good seed and Miracle Gro, not rocket science or green fingers.
I guess the real skill lies is knowing where you can cut costs and where it's best not to.
And you can spend a fortune and still end up with a disaster.
Everyone has said it already, reuse, recycle, save, beg and borrow. ;D Wyvales are clearing the last of their seeds from last year now and they are down to 10p a packet. Look for the ones with the barcode crossed through. I picked up a few packs the other day :P .
My biggest spends are compost for starting seeds at home, and the sausages and bread that we take to the plot for our BBQ lunches. ;D We are lucky and have manure supplied free so we all have huge compost bins full of that rotting down. I never pay full price for seeds and don't go mad on spuds - I stick to the tried and tested varieties that thrive on our dry, stoney plot.
I start much more at home in cell trays now as I got fed up with only half a row of something germinating. Of course, carrots and 'snips get sown directly, but even beets, swedes and turnips have been amazing sown in trays first.
My loo and kitchen roll tube saving begins now for sweetpeas and sunflowers. My shed came from freecycle, as did my greenhouse. My tools are all hand-me-downs, apart from secateurs.
I think the most important piece of advice that you have been given, and I always tell people who ask me what they should be growing is only grow what you and yours like. It is pointless growing brussel sprouts if none of you are keen, why waste the money, time and room on them?? Good luck. ;D
In the 18th Century a plot like mine, outside Birmingham, would have cost a guinea a year. That would have kept three labourers and their families, so obviously they were let to the non-poor. What's the history behind your plots in Denmark?
Actually very interesting!
In 1928 the town council (Copenhagen) started a scheme to train unemployed young people to be garden assistants - market gardens, parks, etc. I suppose. There were large wooden pavilions for classrooms surrounded by plots. In the winter was theory, then the practical work. On a 60 sq.metre plot.
I am not sure how long this continued. There were these large "school" sites on the outskirts of the city. In time (don't know when) the council changed them to an evening school project - and when I started - about twelve years ago on a different site - we had a teacher, and met once a week, as well as usual more allotment type gardening. Finally they were all turned into allotment sites. Where I am now changed eleven years ago.
In our school house, now a general meeting room, there are some plans and drawings from maybe 60 years ago of how the plots and small houses should be kept. Really charming - drawn and water coloured.
What's your story?
If I had a packet of early peas and sowed some of them as soon as was practical, would there be enough time to crop them and plant the peas they produced, in time for another crop? . Stupid question? . It's ok, you can tell me.
Not a stupid question at all and in theory you can. I put that theory in test last year. I sowed some peas in buckets in GH in February...sowed some peas from those in end of June..begining of July (memory is so short ::)). Peas did germinate well....but...we had such a dry year here..so the second crop didn't work out. The plants did grow but once the pods were forming they got hit with powdery mildew. Otherwise there would have been plenty of 'summer' left for another crop. It could be well be, that particular variety wasn't suitable for summer cropping and was happier with early sowing.
So if you are going to try..pick your variety carefully.
Next thursday in aldi, 19th, seeds for 39p ;D
So guys, this year im going to account for every penny spent on my allotment. That will be seeds, tools, netting, rent, materials etc. EVERTYHING!
Im wondering if anyone else will be doing so - maybe a little competition?
Who can spend the least on their plot this year?!! (animal keeping aside- it wouldn't be fair to include those related costs as not everyone keeps animals on their plot)
Whos up for it? No prize involved - just the knowledge that you've spent the least out of everyone?!
Quote from: goodlife on January 13, 2012, 13:47:09
If I had a packet of early peas and sowed some of them as soon as was practical, would there be enough time to crop them and plant the peas they produced, in time for another crop? . Stupid question? . It's ok, you can tell me.
Not a stupid question at all and in theory you can. I put that theory in test last year. I sowed some peas in buckets in GH in February...sowed some peas from those in end of June..begining of July (memory is so short ::)). Peas did germinate well....but...we had such a dry year here..so the second crop didn't work out. The plants did grow but once the pods were forming they got hit with powdery mildew. Otherwise there would have been plenty of 'summer' left for another crop. It could be well be, that particular variety wasn't suitable for summer cropping and was happier with early sowing.
So if you are going to try..pick your variety carefully.
Ah! Thanks for that. The possible unsuitability to summer temperatures thing is something I hadn't considered.
So it might be worth a bash after all then. It'll only need two or three seeds to find out, and if successful it could.........Let me see...... Four times eighty-two....... carry the nine........ Add... No, subtract the number you thought of first............. Blimey Goodlife! By this time next year we will be millionaires!. ;) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxLrsn9ZsiQ)
Not is my resident voles have anything to do with it.
Quote from: mormor on January 13, 2012, 12:16:38
What's your story?
In the 18th and early 19th century, privatisation of land combined with urban growth left towanspeaople without access to land, and not many of them had gardens. So landownsers around towns let small plots - 600 square yards where I am - to those who could afford to pay, as it was a lot more profitable than farming. Mostly they went to skilled craftsmen and people with small businesses. A couple of centuries ago there were over 2000 of these gardens around Birmingham, and it was known for its gardens, not its industry. As the city grew, land gained in value, and they were all built over, leaving about eighty gardens on the one remaining site, which is almost unique in the country. There are a couple of other survivals, but we're the only one which has been continuously cultivated.
Squashes and pumpkins did really well. They were mostly planted as a weed-suppressor as we didn't have enough stuff to fill the entire plot with and they did their job well, but no-one in the house, except me, can stand the taste of them. I've even tried sneaking it into casseroles only to have them inspect every bite....
I loove growing squashes and pumpkins even though no one but me eats them. I give mine away to my friends who do like to eat them. The returns - not monetary but better than that - friendship is priceless.
I have just come across a garden centre near Hastings advertising 90 square metre plots for £5 a week for an empty plot, or for £10 with a greenhouse, shed and water butt. They prepare the ground and there is water....but that is £260 or £520 per year! Before anything like seeds, plants, tools and fertilisers.....
....and I have the same problem with squashes and pumpkins: I am the only willing consumer. They do get grated invisibly into things, including bread - but the classic caramelised roasted version with onions and perhaps peppers, SO delicious, is left untouched.
http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/popular-ingredients/butternut-squash
is giving me some ideas. I am munching my way through a lovely Marina di chioggia at the moment and am wondering how this light go down:
http://boldosthoughtsonfood.blogspot.com/2008/10/marina-di-chioggia.html
though it looks like a lot of messing about if no-one's going to eat it.....
Quote from: Hi_Hoe on January 13, 2012, 17:45:17
So guys, this year im going to account for every penny spent on my allotment. That will be seeds, tools, netting, rent, materials etc. EVERTYHING!
Im wondering if anyone else will be doing so - maybe a little competition?
Who can spend the least on their plot this year?!! (animal keeping aside- it wouldn't be fair to include those related costs as not everyone keeps animals on their plot)
Whos up for it? No prize involved - just the knowledge that you've spent the least out of everyone?!
well I'm up for it :) have already started as my year would start in oct when the rent is due and the seed order put in
although I must confess I am easily tempted by other seed throughout the year :-[ might put the brakes on a bit but I doubt it ;D
marg
My £17.00 went out the window, just been down to Wilkos and bought my Onions and Shallots, they have six differant varieties of Spuds, three varieties of Onions, two of Shallots and one lot of red onions, :)
Quote from: lottie lou on January 14, 2012, 00:14:14
QuoteSquashes and pumpkins did really well. They were mostly planted as a weed-suppressor as we didn't have enough stuff to fill the entire plot with and they did their job well, but no-one in the house, except me, can stand the taste of them. I've even tried sneaking it into casseroles only to have them inspect every bite....
I loove growing squashes and pumpkins even though no one but me eats them. I give mine away to my friends who do like to eat them. The returns - not monetary but better than that - friendship is priceless.
You are absolutely right Lou, and for that reason alone they are back on the list! ;D
Thanks for reminding me what it's about. ;)
QuotePosted by artichoke:
....and I have the same problem with squashes and pumpkins: I am the only willing consumer. They do get grated invisibly into things, including bread - but the classic caramelised roasted version with onions and perhaps peppers, SO delicious, is left untouched.
http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/popular-ingredients/butternut-squash
is giving me some ideas. I am munching my way through a lovely Marina di chioggia at the moment and am wondering how this light go down:
http://boldosthoughtsonfood.blogspot.com/2008/10/marina-di-chioggia.html
though it looks like a lot of messing about if no-one's going to eat it.....
That's beyond my capabilities I'm afraid , but you are so right about the classic way of cooking them.
I managed to grow a few of the Yu something Kuri ones last year. Really nice large-grapefruit sized squashes, perfect for scraping the seeds out, and filling with chunky soup, or even a Pot Noodle. 8)
Our site costs £10 per month for 250 sq meters. No water, but free compost. This is Mrs meter rat and myself second year, so our costs will be lower (I hope) In our fist year our biggest expense was fencing around the plot, too keep out the rabbits (they do make good eating, internally marrinated by our own herbs) an apple tree and some wood for the shed roof.
Our site was a cow field, so we really were starting from nothing. We scrounged some water butts, a roofless shed, pallets to make compost bins, (all the green kitchen waste, grass clippings shavings from the pet rabbit, and cardboard goes in them, too the point where our main bin has one bag of waste a fortnight)and the wood to support the chicken wire fence we use old tyres to grow herbs in. I have a spade, fork, wheel barrow and secateurs given to us by farther, we brought a small fork and trowel. seats came from a car boot, and I found two outdoor recliners at the side of the road ;D.
With tools always buy the best you can afford, I pays in the long run, our spade and fork are both forty plus year old. We started with some potatoes, and onions, and a small selection of seeds peas, squash, kale,spinach, courgette, we were given some Hestia beans, strawberry and raspberry plants, these were given at the end of the season, so hopfully we will get fresh fruit in the summer..
We have grass paths so a mower was required, and we were very generously given a petrol mower, this required a service and some damage repairing. We were also given a none working petrol strimmer, a bit of fettleling and 10min latter it was working. Now we have all the tools required we will spend about about £70 (not including rent) this year, this will include seeds, fuel for the mower and strimmer, and some fruit bushes, rhubarb and asparagus as a long term strategy. If you keep your eyes open and collect usefull stuff as you see it, ask around , let people know if you require anything, people can be amazingly generous, try a wanted add in the local free paper and ask for none working stuff if you are mechanically minded. Buy stuff at the end of the season, we got a plastic walk in green house from Wilkos for £14, now £45. Don't try and do it all at once, Buy a little at a time, like fruit bushes the second year.
We brought some sad looking herbs from the ready to die section of Tescoe's. This gave us about 100 parsley plants for the sake of a bit of love and care, the same for mint and coriander. We were able to give some away to others, we cut the grass for the others as a way of thanking them. Next year we hope to reduce the costs to about £40 , being a Scot a I hate parting with money ;D Having lost my job two years ago I know how you feel with regards money, but being prepared to ask, scrouge, make do and mend, and help your self, alot of money can be saved.