New allotments Autumn 2010 Chat

lisakay_2

radiohelen wrote: »

I'm off up the lottie tomorrow. I've not been up this week much even though the weather is good. We went up (me and the toddler) on Tuesday and everyone was up there and they all tut tutted when my lo went marauding onto their plots.. just on their paths and round next door's pond. I remember why it was so difficult last year now!

.

That sounds so familiar! I have a 5 and a 3yr old. Luckily my closest lotty neighbours don't mind them on their plots as long as they keep to the paths, and with the raised beds and grassed paths they treat them like little mazes!

CommitedToChange

As long as they stayed on the path they wouldn't bother me, I think its a shame the other lottie holders aren't more understanding.

lisakay_2

So, to introduce myself...I'm new to the forums, but I've been 'lurking' for a couple of weeks and thought it was about time i posted! I got my half plot late last may, so a little less than a yr. Then in october, Old Jimmy decided he could no longer keep up the other half, so since then I have been the proud possesor of a full plot. It had been a little neglected, with plenty of couch and bindweed but i keep on digging the little blighters up and I will conquer it eventually...and the soil is good, great in fact so plenty to be happy about.:j

so far this yr I have put in an asparagus bed, my early spuds, onions, broad beans, beetroot, salad leaves. I have shallots and garlic doing well from nov/dec and I already have strawbs, rasps and currants on site.
At home in pots that will go out eventually...peas, runners, sugar snaps, mange tout, leeks, courgettes, squashes, cucs. and i have a ton of other stuff that is still to be sown.
I am more excited by spring this year than at any other time in my life!!!:D
I have also dug a big hole, put an old kids sand pit in the hole and I'm desperately waiting for the water to be turned on so I can fill it and call it a pond! The kids and I will be putting frogspawn in and hoping for lots of frogs to gobble up the slugs.:D

CommitedToChange

hello and welcome

We're all newbies together so this year should be a lot of fun - make sure you tell us how the pond gets on!

lisakay_2

so today I have sown (at home in pots/trays)...
BNS
red flowering runners
white '' runners
borlotti
heritage peas
some kind of climbing bean
sugar snaps
yellow courgette
black courgette
giant pumpkin
smaller pumpkins
cucumber
romanescue

The kids are on their final warning NOT to move the labels, I'm not impressed that I have no idea what is coming up in most of my pots as the other labels have already been moved :eek:. I have sunflowers coming up and what is probably coriander, but may be aubergine. i know where the leeks are but no clue as to what is in the others;) pot luck now, and time will reveal all.

lisakay_2

oh, any idea if i can plant the red and white flowering runners together or will they cross???

splodger_seedswapper

lisakay wrote: »

oh, any idea if i can plant the red and white flowering runners together or will they cross???

planting out plants that are from true seed is not a problem - some plants are however promiscuous - so saving seed might be an issue with some species

as for beans - i usually grow several varieties along my bean frames and they always work out ok

diddly74

There is a field in the village I was brought up in which has been turned into allotments. (I currently live in the next town along about 4 miles away) They have a board up advertising allotments for rent - I would really like to take one, but a) I am a novice and wouldn't know where to start! and b) a third year nursing student with 2 kids and a husband (who is not into cardening at all) so I am worried that I would be taking something on which I wouldn't be able to commit properly until at least next spring. It seems such a shame that this has come along in just the wrong year. I will just have to try to do what I can in the back yard and hope that next year I find a place.

splodger_seedswapper

didly74 - get your name down on the list and grab one if it is offered to you as allotment plots are hard to get hold of

take a half or quarter plot if you think a full plot would be too much for

just spent this year growing a few things - planning out what can go where etc - grow a few quick and easy things.

use the year to cultivate the plot - source manure - built raise beds - dig a pond - or whatever else you fancy doing

use the money saving experts on here - to find best places to get plants and seeds etc and all those plot essentials like canes, netting and bits or wire etc

the only way to learn - is to get stuck in - and give it a go

Synonymous

Hi Guys,

Diddly74 I agree with what's been said, get your name down while you're in with a chance and taken on a half plot or find someone likeminded to share with. I'm currently sharing an allotment and its ideal while I learn coz a full one at the moment would be so overwhelming!

I hope someone can help me with a pea problem - I have bought some mangetout seeds and have no idea how best to sew them and in what formation and how many plants I need! The packet says sew them outside, but the books say start inside away from the slugs in toilet rolls, what is the germination rate like and how many plants will I need when its just me (I will freeze any surplus of course!) and space is limited? How do you support them etc, help!