New allotments Autumn 2010 Chat

Sally_A

Mine are started in seed trays, first I line it with a couple of layers of newspaper, fill with multipurpose compost, and sprinkle about 40 seeds on top, then push them down into the soil, approx to the first joint on my index finger.

When they've sprouted, harden them off outside in the day, and plant out when they are a few inches high and tendrils are forming.

Mangetout like growing up twiggy sticks, but if you only have canes, do a criss cross of twine in and around so they have something to cling to.

I'd say go for at 2 trays, they freeze easily too, I never blanced last year, just topped and tailed - they were all used up by Christmas but kept well.

CommitedToChange

well my strawberry plants are now in their new homes - grow bags for the time being, 3 plants to one 55l bag, I wanna give them enough space to thrive

I'm not going to get as much done this weekend though as the old tenants are removing the soil from the raised beds to take to their new plot :mad: - I guess if they built it up with compost etc then it is technically theirs but its still really annoying (and a little part of me suspects that they used soil from the floody area of the plot) This means I have to wait until they are done before getting started. Oh well, gives me time to plan the plot out and day dream. :beer:

Sally_A

Isn't that a bit like moving home, but taking the bricks with you??

On a more positive note, you could chat with them about stuff that has grown well there, and any issues you may have re the floody bit, eg how wet it actually gets. Ask about any baddies on your site, eg leek moth, carrot fly, clubroot etc.

Or even suss out their last years crop rotation, won't be quite so necessary if they are taking the raised beds with them, but a good chance to dig for info.

CommitedToChange

HA HA - yes definitely - but didn't really feel I could say anything, it's not even that much maybe an inch of two high. Sigh.

Currently researching where to buy top soil from. Aldi are selling 35l for 2.50, but I could get a tonne delivered for £45, not sure which offers the better deal - I assume the tonne - but we all know what happens when you assume :rotfl:

I did chat about the flooding and bless - they did offer me part of their new plot as they've now got a full one - but it was too small just over a 1/4 and I really need a 1/2 cause I want a shed and greenhouse. They were really nice - thats why I didn't feel I could say anything

Sally_A

I'm sure you mentioned it somewhere on a previous post, but what is so bad about the soil that makes you think you need to buy in topsoil?

What do other plot holders manage to grow without raised beds.

If their raised bed was only 2 inches high, then the worms have probably pulled all the good stuff deeper for you already

CommitedToChange

I want to make raised beds - there is some flooding so will need raised beds in one area anyway. All the plot holders nearby have raised beds to cope with the winter flooding. I'm actually going to do the lasagna method for most of the beds so won't need a huge amount of topsoil I don't think. And I'm going to do most gradually over the summer / autumn. I just need to get some to start off 3 beds (8*4ft)

Glad I've got all the good stuff

CommitedToChange

Hmm someone on eBay is offering free topsoil for collection from their garden, wouldn't be able to get a huge amount but might be worth the petrol.....

Right enough skiving, off to do some mystery shopping TTFN

EDIT: change of plan - will be doing MS's after 6pm otherwise I'll have to pay to park - and that's not very MSE

Will rack some wine and watch TV for a bit instead

Sally_A

My geography is a bit pants when I get north of Cheltenham, there are a few freecycle offers of top soil, and also horse owners wanting to get shot of their "bi-product", in the Wirral area.

But I guess Liverpool is a bit sprawlier than Bath - still can give you the links if you PM me :cool:

diddly74

Thanks for the advice people.

I did speak to my MIL at lunch, I was cooking, kids washing up lol. She is keen to share the plot with me and having tried to grow things in her back garden last year (not doing too bad really) she is well up for the idea.

Now I just have to get that number and see what the crack is! When I drove past last week, most of the plots were empty.
I may be an allotment holder afterall this year!

CommitedToChange

:T that's great news - you should definitely get one while you can, otherwise you'll end up on a massive waiting list wishing you'd jumped in. As other said - you could just work a few beds this year and spend time getting the rest of the plot in order - from what I can gather it takes a few years to get properly sorted, so it shouldn't matter if this year you only work some of the plot - as long as you work it