Allotments 4 All

Because of ill health I was not able to do much in the garden last year and everything has got out of hand with nettles in many of the vegetable beds.  I was able to sow seeds and now have a number of different vegetables still to go in, including some cabbages which will need protection from pigeons.  The fruit cage was very overgrown and I lost quite a few strawberries but was able to dig some up and put them in pots for now.  My husband has now strimmed the fruit cage and the only thing left in there are six blackcurrant bushes in an area approximately 30' x 90'. 

Now my question is this, I am still looking for somewhere to plant my cabbages and umpteen squash plants.  If I were to plant them directly into the soil in the fruit cage without prior digging and then cover them with a really deep mulch of grass cuttings, are they likely to survive?  Alternatively I could put down black weed suppressant and plant through that.

What are your thoughts on this please?

So long as the soil is in good heart, I would have thought that the Brassica wouild cope - with a bit of fertilser & lime if needed.

The Squashes might be better in containers?

Glad you're getting back to it.

Tim, what are the rules for mixing lime and fertiliser?

I'd have to look it up!

Really, one or the other, as seen necessary, & the other later?

Thanks for the reply Tim.  We are on chalk so will not need the lime.  The ph is about 7 as it has been brought down by adding compost over the years.

I have somewhere in the region of 60 different squash, pumpkin and courgette plants and I don't think I would have enough compost or pots to put them all in. 

Well just dig damned great holes for each & fill with muck!

Thanks Tim.  I will do that and then cover them with grass cuttings.

Hi Pauline. Don't over do it, must still be early days for you. Hope things are better for you after your ops.
Regards Lorna.

doesent covering with grass clippings give lots of hiding space for slugs?

Yes, but it also provides them with lots of extra food. I don't get any more problems than before.

I could put some slug pellets under the grass mulch.  I didn't last year when I used grass clippings on quite a few of my vegetables and I can't remember many slugs.  The soil was much improved when it all rotted down. 

I have an unlimited supply of grass clippings as we have an acre paddock as well as a couple of lawns in the main garden.