Allotments 4 All

I don't know where to ask this; could be edible, could be wild flowers for pollinators, could be a wind-break; any of those would be useful.  Would be nice if it was colourful too.

What I've got is a sheer drop down the whole length of my plot.  Looks like the previous owner dug down for decades and then carted the soil off somewhere because I'm about 1.5/2 feet lower than my neighbour.

At the moment it's a tangle of creeping weeds.  Is there something I could plant and how?  Have considered wild strawbs, as above something flowery for pollinators, but don't want too many seeds flying in my beds and what would survive if I just yank out the weeds and perhaps plant in pockets of compost?

I won't have much time to devote to it once the growing season gets underway.

Any suggestions?  Thanks..

Jerusalem Artichokes would provide a wind break (in one sense) and are edible... they can tolerate a lot of weed competition...   :-\

Peas are good as a windbreak, grow well in pockets.  But for dropping down a slope I have always loved  nasturiums, fell in love with them falling down the cliffs in Majorca.  Perhaps also pumpkins/squashes they do not like weeds very much and  grow well in pockets, and then spread all over.

I like Digeroo's ideas - I saw a pic in a Sarah Raven book where she grew pumpkins on a sunny slope and they looked great.

As to Saddad LOL!

Thanks for the suggestions  :)  it's got me thinking...

Maybe suggesting a windbreak  was a red herring - considering the sharp incline, not a slope I can't see how something like Jerusalem artichokes could grow upwards, perhaps they'd stick out at 90 degrees.  I might try and get a photo but camera is on it's last legs.

Peas, sweet ones - could they ramble?  There are some wild peas grow there so I suppose they like the soil.  Would be colourful and no flying seeds and then later in the season I could pop in my various cucumber/cucumber type crops, which are not an eating priority but love to watch them grow.  I understand they need less water than other squashes and they grow very nicely next to beans for me.

Another thing is it's NW facing, which is not ideal.

Quote from: saddad on November 29, 2009, 13:27:15
Jerusalem Artichokes would provide a wind break (in one sense)

In all senses.

Couch grass. I do.    :-[

I'd probably go all obsessive and try to build a terrace rather than a slope, stop it sliding onto my plot.

any fast growing vining  plant would do the trick.
the choice is all about what goal have in mind besides breaking the wind.

it's not just about breaking the wind, remember

NW not quite the right thing for squashes.  Bit more of a challenge,  though Mr North West Wind Esq needs keeping under control, bit of a strong cold direction.  Perhaps herbs. sage, thyme etc. 

I like to have an experimental season and  attempt planting a few plants in unlikely places where they go against their "recommended" growing requirements. Often there will be some pleasant surprises.

For example: You might try some different types of squash- one friend grows squash up a steep slope in her back yard and they do fine- but that's in the USA- however you might be shocked at what adapts.

Quote from: GrannieAnnie on December 18, 2009, 12:35:56
I like to have an experimental season and  attempt planting a few plants in unlikely places where they go against their "recommended" growing requirements. Often there will be some pleasant surprises.

I'm thinking maybe I do rather too much of that already  ;)  with quite a lot of tutting from passers-by.  Sometimes I really wish it was a private garden then I'd certainly go mad with experiments.  

Quote from: earlypea on December 19, 2009, 10:05:21

Quote from: GrannieAnnie on December 18, 2009, 12:35:56
I like to have an experimental season and  attempt planting a few plants in unlikely places where they go against their "recommended" growing requirements. Often there will be some pleasant surprises.

I'm thinking maybe I do rather too much of that already  ;)  with quite a lot of tutting from passers-by.  Sometimes I really wish it was a private garden then I'd certainly go mad with experiments. 

Just put up a small plaque stating "Government sponsored experimental plot testing viability of new species. No spraying."