Allotments 4 All

Got too hot to do anything energetic on the plot earlier today, so took pics of how the plot is coping in the hot dry weather. Sweetcorn and perennials have been soaked with a sprinkler on three occasions, but all the other veg, including squash and toms, have to find their own water.

A few weeks ago the paths between the beds were covered with thick newspaper and straw. This to stop water evaporating from the soil, reflect the heat, and reduce the amount of weeding/hoeing. Spuds growing through black plastic front left. In the middle bed of the back row are the newly planted baby leeks (6 inches apart, offset) planted deep with a heavy dust mulch.


The ground on plot 2 acquired in December was rock hard, so I dug holes with a long handled bulb planter for Jiffy-grown toms and beans, then mulched heavily with woody old horse manure.


Outdoor toms growing up string supports:


Intensive planting at the tomato bed end. Marigolds and nasturtiums along the edges, a squash at each end crawling up the middle, lettuce and marjoram and finally a straw mulch minimise exposed soil. It has stayed moist underneath even in these conditions.


Alongside the new greenhouse was a space 2 ft wide. Half-cooked compost is covered in black plastic, and planted with big squash. They are kept under control by training curly wurly style - this one's a blue hubbard.


Plot 2 is still covered in thick mulch and black plastic. Squash are planted under the mesh tunnels as it was very windy when they were planted out. Hopefully the mesh will provide some shade too. They won't get watered - under the black plastic, the undug soil is moist. Behind the squash is the new straw bale compost heap :) and behind that a lottie neighbour's shanty town :-X


A few lettuce go in every couple of weeks on the ends of the beds. Once established, they don't seem to be fazed by the dry heat.


All this is very much trial and error, it's nice to look back and see what does and doesn't seem to be working. It hasn't all been sunshine and roses, but I've learned so much from the 'extreme' growing conditions this year, picked up and used so many tips from the forum (thank you :-*). Still experimenting! ;D

Hey - they look fabulous! I wish my lot looked liek taht!

The only thing healthy looking on my plot is the sweetcorn and corgettes!

I like the straw paths - it does look good!

I dont know where my paths are! If afct i dont know where my sown drills are... and in fact i dont know what is what!  The chickens removed my tags when they went on a munching spree so i dont know whats cabbage and whats brocolli - i dont know whats cucumber, corgette or anyother variety of pumpkni/squash!

I bet there is no one less organised than me LOL... i guess i will have lots of surprises when they all start growing.  I've roughly planted all the squahs/cucs and zucchini together - and anything that looks like a brassica has gone togetehr! Thats about as good as it gets!

SS - What an inspiration - but where is the string ;) ;D

I like the look of the straw paths - I may copy that idea next year, who knows it may even suppress the Horsetail.  This year I used cardboard as a mulch, the Horsetail just laughted at it and grew straight threw it ??? 

You were worried about the straw blowing everywhere - has that been a problem??

thank you for your kind comments :) :)
don't worry oo you've got company, half my squash lost their labels somehow ??? so looking forward to surprises come harvest time ;) why does it always happen?
lol@smp, the plot did look like a cat's cradle most of last year, it was a relief to pull up the sticks and string at last, though I still have some string lined up for the rest of the paths over which to trip ;D. The straw has indeed stayed put, and will flatten down when we get rain.
I love the straw paths, but am mighty afeard someone will drop a match and barbecue the lot :-X :o

Looks fantastic - has given me lots of ideas

thanks

Thank you flossie - and I'm looking forward to having a shed one day too ;)

What varieties of squash are you growing under the tunnels?

Not just a pretty face, Sprouty??

Looks brilliant SS, nice and lush - your mulching really does work!

Hi s_d, have sent you a message :)
Thanks jenny, it's one thing knowing what to do, and quite another getting around to it! Glad I did, it does make a big difference.
Yes tim, I heft a mean straw bale too :P

gorgeous pics, it all looks so organised, and no weeds in sight!! it's great to have a look at other peoples plots, gives me something to aim for. enjoy your harvests