Veg growing newbies 2nd year common room 2010-2011

katenut

Hi all - I'd love to join you all! I'm officially nearly a third-year, but I want to resit my second year please! my first year was surprisingly successful, but this year I haven't done so well. I've also just got a greenhouse so I'll need some ideas for that.

Just going to venture outside to pull up the dying tomato plants.

When should I be digging/composting? I've got a bed I didn't use this summer - I composted it in the spring, should I do it again now? I've got to dig it over anyway to remove some old plastic buried in it.

Its so cold out there - autumn gardening is so depressing!

sparrer

I have a little (3' x 9") area of soil between my side path and the fence which I was going to grass seed but it's too awkward to get the mower to, so I've dug it over today and prepped it for planting wild garlic. I'd read about it on the forums a while ago and am fortunate enough to be given some by an aquaintance as she's thinning hers.

You're right katenut, it was bloomin' freezing out there today , vigorous exercise like raking leaves was needed, as were scarves, gloves and thick sox!

eta sorry sewpretty, I haven't a clue about what can be planted when, I just see things I like and bung 'em in . Haven't lost anything yet but more by luck than judgement

TizerCat

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Kath - here's a link to Supersprout's allotment which was no dig -
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/growing-techniques/supersprouts-allotment_5573.html

Thank you for that link it is very useful. :T Am just starting my new plot and might give No Dig a go as am always pushed for time with the GG's and working full time. Have loads of couch grass though so will try and double dig th bed areas to get as much of the roots outs to start.

TizerCat

sewprettymoo wrote: »

Hi all

Are things like garlic, onions and shallots the only things you can put in for overwintering? There's nothing else you can plant at this time of year? My garden is sooo bare!!!

hi sewprettymoo,

The allotment shop recommended putting in early broadbeans and peas by the end of november too. They get a head start for the spring and fruit before the blackfly hit..

Gardening programme last night said to put fruit bushes in now too....

Hope that helps....

Sambucus_Nigra

TizerCat wrote: »

Thank you for that link it is very useful. :T Am just starting my new plot and might give No Dig a go as am always pushed for time with the GG's and working full time. Have loads of couch grass though so will try and double dig th bed areas to get as much of the roots outs to start.

Sorry - best trick for that is to lay cardboard down over winter and fork it through in the spring; the roots will be much less and weaker and the soil softer to fork through.

You won't get rid of it all but it will be a lot easier than double digging [I design and install veggie gardens for a living in schools and never double dig - and very rarely actually dig at all......only when there is a really deep perennial weed do I get the spade out]....

wssla00

Afternoon all

Yep, I like to cardboard stuff (also lasagna gardening which is a cinch!)

I have loads to do out there but just haven't had the energy at the mo- will get out there when my chest clears up a little!

Bought a gardening magazine for my perusal today so will make me feel inspired- mainly because there is a beetroot growing article and for some reason or other I don't have much luck with beetroot and would really like to!

I also got a book in the works this week called "Make your garden feed you". It is from WWII and very interesting. Has been good reading!

Have a good day all

TizerCat

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Sorry - best trick for that is to lay cardboard down over winter and fork it through in the spring; the roots will be much less and weaker and the soil softer to fork through.

You won't get rid of it all but it will be a lot easier than double digging [I design and install veggie gardens for a living in schools and never double dig - and very rarely actually dig at all......only when there is a really deep perennial weed do I get the spade out]....

Thank you :T I have covered the plot with Tarpauline will that work also? Or is cardboard better?

Unfortunately as I have just taken over the plot I have 12 weeks to cultivate 40% of the plot or they will give it to somebody else. so I can't wait until spring.

I will take your advice re covering the couch grass though and I am going to mark out the beds and dig them over and then recover them. hopefully that will satisfy the allotment police

Also I have a constant supply of horse manure which I would like to use so was going to incorporate that when i dig. How old does it have to be before it is safe to use I have been told it can't be too fresh?

AND.....in the article they used newspaper and straw to make the paths, I am keen on this as I dont have a strimmer to cut a grass path and they are not level enough for a push mower. I can get old paper horse feed sacks instead of newspaper and straw from the farm. However I can save money by using straw that has been spoilt by getting wet. It goes black which I assume is mould will this be OK to use for the paths or will it be bringing disease on to the plot?

Many thanks for your help :T

Sambucus_Nigra

TizerCat wrote: »

Thank you :T I have covered the plot with Tarpauline will that work also? Or is cardboard better?

Unfortunately as I have just taken over the plot I have 12 weeks to cultivate 40% of the plot or they will give it to somebody else. so I can't wait until spring.

I will take your advice re covering the couch grass though and I am going to mark out the beds and dig them over and then recover them. hopefully that will satisfy the allotment police

Also I have a constant supply of horse manure which I would like to use so was going to incorporate that when i dig. How old does it have to be before it is safe to use I have been told it can't be too fresh?

AND.....in the article they used newspaper and straw to make the paths, I am keen on this as I dont have a strimmer to cut a grass path and they are not level enough for a push mower. I can get old paper horse feed sacks instead of newspaper and straw from the farm. However I can save money by using straw that has been spoilt by getting wet. It goes black which I assume is mould will this be OK to use for the paths or will it be bringing disease on to the plot?

Many thanks for your help :T

What does cultivate 40% mean when it's winter? I would stick some broad beans in, some onions and garlics and make sure the spacings are nice and wide. You can plant through cardboard to do this [using a bulb planter to make holes]....put the broadies into loo rolls and plant out when they are 3 inches high. Also, if you rake off some soil, put cardboard down underneath, and sow mustard then you have a cultivated patch with a green manure just waiting until spring to be chopped back and planted up.

Cardboard is better because it adds organic to the soil, I don't like things that don't let the soil breathe but if that's what you've got, that's what you've got.

I'd ask the question about the 40% when you had not had time to sow and grow on all your winter crops such as leeks, brassicas etc...

You can put fresh horse manure on if you don't plant into it - the winter will break it down so load that on top of the cardboard for now and it will be good for potatoes and squashes next year.

Can't speak for the straw...but I use sawdust for my paths and it's fine.

TizerCat

Thank you Sambucus Nigra,

I have looked up the 40% cultivation rule in the rule book they have sent me. It states cultivation is 'to regularly dig or mulch, or prune and weed' I will find out if mulching includes covering it with cardboard...it will save me alot of work if so!!! i'm sure i can get some cardboard from the local supermarket.

Again thanks for all your help

top_drawer_2

hello,

Does anyone grow in pots and if so what soil do you use? I am stuck with what to use but very restricted as I dont drive so am trying to think up ways I can overcome this. I used one that came in a maroon bag (which I just cant recall the name of) which I bought from the market as he delivered ...... its not been hugely successful so I am looking at alternatives.