Allotments 4 All

HI THERE
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ON THIS WEBSITE.
I AM ALSO NEW TO GROWING VEGETABLES (ONLY GOT MY PLOT IN MAY)
I AM ABOUT TO HARVEST THE BEANS,CARROTS SWEETCORN ETC. THAT I PLANTED BACK IN MAY.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN SOW IN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO TO STOP ME HAVING A BARE PLOT.
WHAT SORT OF THINGS CAN I GROW THROUGH THE WINTER.
ANY IDEAS GRATEFULLY RECIEVED.
THANKS ???

I asked this question recently - have a look back for my 'winter veg' thread.

And please don't shout.

carrots, turnips for greens, winter radish, lettuces, japanese onions (for harvest about june) for sowing this month only, erm run out of ideas at mo....

Spring cabbages, winter caulis, calabrese/brocolli, second cropping spuds, salads, garlics, shallots, spring onions, french beans (if you are quick), carrots, peas....ummm...sure there are lots more, and this has been discussed lots of times as people want to harvest all year through.  If you can provide protection, like fleece or cloches, I reakon almost anything goes!  ;D

Welcome to the site by the way, and congrats of getting a plot.  Where in the world are you??  ;D

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP

IM IN CARDIFF EMMA

Another Welsh allotmenteer to add to the collection.  ;D

EJ
what kinda broccoli/calabrese an you sow now??

xxx
jemma

I have just sown some that I bought from the winter Marshalls catalogue, which is downstairs, so I will bring it up later and let you know.  ;D

Welcome Farmer Giles, congrats on getting your plot.
The shouting comment on 2nd message if you don`t know is when you type ALL IN CAPS! called shouting!

Have fun harvesting...

Andy & Becky

Sorry for SHOUTING did i wake you up
Can you still hear me........Hello..........Is anyone there?

Good morning farmergiles - thats better, I can still hear you. Welcome aboard the A4A roadshow.

How do all you fellow allotmenteers keep your kids amused when you take them to your plot?
Mine can put up with the watering can for about ten minutes before they get bored.
One sight of a spade or fork and they run a mile.

Well, my nearly 3 year old has sown a row of beetroot - they are coming up nicely. Though he did decide to weed a few carrots out, and tear off leaves of potatoes and pick immature pea pods (peas less than the size of a polo mint hole). Then he would try to dig with his brio spade.

Perhaps they could have a section of their own.....

With my kids, it depends on the weather and their mood!  If they don't wanna be there, then they play up the whole time, and to be honest, I can't wait to escape!  They are happy picking, but not happy if I am trying to do jobs.  Digging in the mud keeps mine amused for a while, but I forgot to leave them a patch when I was sowing!

Sitting in the car ::)

Bit unfair -she's good for watering for about fifteen mins, especially 'her garden'. After that it's tormenting the ants 'making compost', tormenting other allotmenteers and moaning.

She has one of those woolies 'pop-up' tents and, if I remember, I'll take that down for her to make a camp in next time we go.

Jeremy

Oh, and i forgot - saying hello to woodlouse/ant/spider/ladybird/worm

the tent is a fab idea i have the same one i think from woolies! kids love making camps (yeah for about 5 minutes knowing my girls!!)

Jemma x

I used to avoid taking mine down, unless it was potato harvest time, then they were highly amused digging for treasure!
Now the youngest at 12 has been with me twice this week, and gets bored in nano seconds.........wanders off to look at the chickens at the next plot..........irritates Mum......pulls a few beans off.......irritates Mum......waters beans and Mum! Mum and 12 year old leave!!
The 15 year old wouldn't be seen dead there! (thankfully!!) I think the most I could ever handle was about an hour, and the whole point to me of having my plot is for peace and quiet. But then I only took mine on when they had gone to school, and I had more time. The pop up tent sounds a marvellous idea! Picnics are good too, and jam jar bug collecting, especially caterpillars off the brassicas!! ;D When they are older a shady spot with a headset works for a while ...........but NEVER long enough!

Have laptop, will travel!  ;D Well I don't have an allotment but if we're going somewhere that I know the kids will get bored then I take my laptop with a favorite DVD and that keeps them busy for about an hour until the battery runs flat! It's not ideal, I would prefer them to be busy with more "earthy" things but it's a last resort. Like DP I plan to have my plot (when I get it) for "me time" when the kids are at school and nursery. You don't say how old your children are, my 5 year old will spend a good hour messing about with a sticker book, my 3 year old will spend a good hour harrasing the insects in the garden and if she manages to catch one in a glass jar then it can last longer!

dig them a sandpit.  I keep big garden toys - tractors etc. at the plot as well