Allotment/Veg Patch Thread 5 - The Diggers Rest !

[bookbook]

Thanks to teacuphalfempty for supplying the title .
so, its the 1st of March, the meteorological spring is here, and it's all systems go for the coming growing season. Let's hope for a good one -no pests and diseases, enough rain overnight and plenty of sunshine. Well, we can dream....

Hi didireally. I don't know much about blackcurrants myself but can ask my parents any questions that come up.

Having a shed to sort sounds exciting, books. Hooray for treasure troves.

Discovered a bag of potatoes I've been too slack to cook lately have all sprouted. Could I plant those in the garden?

snap Grouchy - I have 12 potatoes that had been left when we were away on holiday, so I am going to grow them on and see what happens! Yes the shed is amazing- when we took over the second half of our allotment, we bought the shed from the previous tenant. He came and took away a few things, and just said we could have everything else in it. It really is a treasure trove. So much stuff he bought new and never used. DH and I are thrifty Yorkshire people, and are gobsmacked at how much money he must have spent.

Ok. Mixed weekend. Got to the allotment on Friday evening with a car load of soil improver. That's the good news. The bad news is that I picked up the so improver at 12 on Friday, then went to a mtg leaving said warm soil improver in the car. In the sun.

I'm never getting rid of the smell, am I ? I wanted to collect a half load tomorrow with the kids in the car but they aren't keen.

The soil improver is now in a pile at the allotment, waiting for the weeds to die (I can't tell you what I did). Next week I hope to dig it over. And the nice bloke next door will rotavate in the improver for me. The weekend after that I'm planning to plant potatoes and nothing else. I've a quarter patch with raspberries and strawberries and my new black currants. I need to get the rest under control.

At home, I've planted root vegetables seeds directly in the ground. The green house has some flowers seedlings (really poor germination rate..), five melon plants (germinated really well) but no sign of tomato seedlings yet.

Germination has been mostly okay for me, bar one opened packet of asters from a couple of years ago.
Do you actually need to rotavate, other than to add the soil improver? You will find a mix of opinions on that - In my own case, I tend to the thought that If you leave any perennial weed roots in the soil, rotavating is a really good way to make sure they spread everywhere but lots of people love them.
And now you need something to get rid of the smell!!! Try sprinkling bicarb of soda onto any fabric/carpet in your boot , leave for a day or two, then brush/vacuum out.

It's more that I don't think I can stop the bloke next to us helping... Last weekend he mowed the inherited compost bin (which appeared to be straw), added compost starter, watered it, and made a soil bin for me out of pallets from the communal collection.

I know I'm not going to get rid of all weeds - I did this all last year but then like an idiot didn't cover it over winter. Someone else has been mowing it to keep the grass down (see the other thread for the mystery of my asparagus).

ah- erm good luck! I had to have a very friendly word with the people next door, as they were chucking their veg trimmings on my compost heap. Not an horrendous crime tbh, but I do everything organic, and they......do not. ( they don't even have a compost bin, it all gets taken away, as they always try to win the plot competition!)

There's a plot competition on your site ? I'm guessing best variety of dandelion isn't up there....

Given that my conpust bin was like a desert, ID be grateful for any additions. His heart is definitely in the right place - he's not too much of an interfering busy body, just has time on his hands so he goes around fixing panes of glass in greenhouses etc.

Evening! We've been out today so not much time for gardening, but I did manage to sneak a bit of time to sow my first lot of sweetcorn. Probably too early, but I had a mushroom tray and a load of loo rolls, ao what else is a 'girl' to do... Also i sowed probably my last variety of tomato - triffid (last year) that is Losetto. It'll be my last sowing if the recent ones don't die on me again. And I pricked out a few things. And snuck in some mangetout seeds into one of the raised beds at home.

I've been trying to be better at labelling things this year. I actually have quite a good memory, or I used to, so I think I can remember what is where. But I have a mystery pot in my propagator, and I don't have a clue what it is. There is a 5% change that someone else has popped it in, but it's most likely something of mine. Oops.

Also, I sowed some flower seeds in a rubbishy bed at home. And snuck a few in my neighbour's unloved strip beyond their wall. They can't see it, and thus ignore it, and I have to behead the dandelions constantly to stop them seeding. So I've weeded it a bit, and bunged some seed about to see what happens. Naughty Zebra.

didi your plot neighbour sounds a bit, erm, trying. Nice on the surface but a but controlling. Hope he's manageable!

Phew! Big weekend of gardening here! I HAD MY FIRST CROP OF RHUBARB for the year and it was DELICIOUS! Also now harvesting spring cabbages, chard (which is going mental ready to bolt), kale and celeriac. I made a massive fake-saag curry yesterday by chopping the kale and chard into tiny pieces in the food processor and then stewing them for aaaaages.

No sign of caulis curding yet, but that seems to be a May thing at my plot.

My potatoes are planted. And I sorted out my asparagus bed - dug in a load more grit for luck and planted the replacement crowns sent to me by the nursery. They look in a better state than last year's (which came quite late and were dessicated), so here's hoping they come up this year!

Question about globe artichokes - I have two. One plant died down in the winter and has resprouted from the base. The other one - from the same packet of seed - didn't die down at all. Should I chop it down to the ground to encourage new growth??

I've been sowing too - like Zebra I did my sweetcorn, as well as my borlotti beans, runner beans, climbing beans, courgettes and a couple of squashes I have absolutely no room for, but couldn't resist planting anyway! Good germination so far on pak choi, romanesco caulis, leeks, hispi cabbage and beetroot - all of which now need potting on... groan.

Also, I may have gone onto the council website and signed up for a second allotment in DH's name.

DH is not aware of this. At least, he wasn't yesterday. He probably is now as they have sent him an acknowledgement email.

Ooh, the Shove empire is expanding! I am v v jealous actually. I was really hoping that the woman opposite me was giving up. NB she moved away, I've never seen her and her plot is full of weeds and raspberries. But it is sunny, and close to me, and next to nice people.

But she's not. Sigh. And the only 2 free plots are in interference alley.

So you've done beans already Shove? Interesting. And courgettes too! I put 3 courgette seeds of 1 variety on yesterday - it's called Early Gem, so thought it was worth a go.

And I have found out what that mystery pot is, and i am not losing my amazing memory power. Today is the last day of easter holidays for my 2 and we have some pals over, and we're starting a sunflower competition off today. It seems my DS has snuck in a couple of extras as he wants to win. I quite admire his cunning I think!

Interference alley ! Isn't it amazing how spatial layouts REALLY change enjoyment of a plot? I can completely understand your desire to avoid it - it would really wind me up.

SO CUTE about your DS and his seed! He's obviously inherited his Mum's green fingers!

I just got a text from DH that says 'If we get offered a plot we are having a SERIOUS TALK before accepting'. This means he will offer some weak resistance and then give way as I plaster the entire house with pictures of polytunnels. One reason I can offer him for getting another plot is that I just don't have space for the infrastructure I need at the moment. I have some compost at home, some at the plot, and none of it gets turned often enough due to lack of space. I could really do with a giant bin for compost and one to turn into, and another one for leafmould. And a squash bed. And the aforementioned polytunnel. And a mini orchard. And a tiger cub. And a castle with a pet dragon and a unicorn to ride around on.

I think I'm really early with those seeds, so definitely ask book and the others their opinion! It's partly because the end of last summer was so terrible and dark here that I want to get things on early, so I will pot them on to quite large in the greenhouse. And also because I'm away next weekend and possibly going to be in hospital the weekend after. I am having some health issues - I have a horrible feeling I am in the process of being diagnosed with coeliac disease, which is a CALAMITY because bread is practically my only food group. I am considering ending it all using a box of donuts and a giant foccaccia, but obviously if I have another plot to get on with that might be a reason to go on . At the moment, it's not certain, though - they are in the process of testing for that and a couple of other nasties. I don't feel too bad at all, but I have an urge to get organised just in case!

Good luck with your tests shove even if it is celiac disease it is far from bring a calamity: gluten free diets are easy once you get the hang of it. I worked full time ( ie 7 days a week including nights and days!) for years with gut disease. It isn't brilliant but it isn't the worst. pm me if you like

Thanks funny! I'm just being silly - I'll be fine Have sent you a PM!

Oh Shove you poor thing! Hope all the tests prove painless yet enlightening, and that you're feeling g much much better in no time.

I've said before on here, I think, that I came to gardening when I was poorly, and we've definitely spoken about what a refuge it can be. So you'll be able to convalescence happily in your new poly tunnel on your new allotment! Which sounds amazing by the way - a tiger cub AND a dragon and a unicorn!

I'd honestly love an orchard. If I won the lottery, I'd buy a giant house with gardens of course, but I'd really really want one with a bedraggled orchard that needed a bit of rescuing.

Hope the tests give you an answer, shove.

I've just spent a pleasant couple of hours looking at ideas for ponds on Pinterest and then drawing a new idea (not at all to scale) for the garden. I used colouring pencils this time and it makes a massive difference. Now I have to convince DH that he wants to give up even more lawn for a pond area and flower bed/shrubbery. It looks so pretty on paper!

I really want to encourage frogs but apparently you need to have a bigger pond than I wanted (which was basically just a bowl of water) so I'll need to have it somewhere in view to make sure my small people don't drown in it. Hence the new idea for the garden. If I manage to convince DH that it's a great idea then I'll need to research native plants for the pond area, and any work on it won't happen till next year. Or maybe the Autumn, if I recover well enough from Baby #3, and have one who quite enjoys sleeping (unlike DD2, who seems to be dropping her nap).

Weather is meant to be rubbish here for most of this week so I doubt I'll get any of my planned seed sowing done.

Grouchy we inherited a very dull and overgrown when we moved. It's about 4 foot by 8 foot, NK idea how deep as there's at least a foot of foul smelling mud. My initial thought was fill it in. But we have at least three big frogs, newts (that eat mist of the frogspawn), leech like things and dragon flies. I love it. There's always something going on in there.

But I still hate the landscaping around it. I need a MN water feature gidness to inspire me !

Evening!
well, I have had a very packed day,( not gardening)
I sowed my first batch of sweetcorn last Sunday (3rd) , and they are just popping out. Will sow a second sowing in another week I think. Will not be doing beans/courgettes/squashes for about another 10/14 days - towards end of April. Everything else is sown and germinating, though I brought quite a few indoors today due to the wind - my little plastic greenhouse is not the most stable....!
It does seem to me that once you are bitten by the bug for growing vegetables, there is always the urge to have more space. One of the other plot holders near me has a polytunnel for his grapes....
shove - I do hope all goes well for you . Vegetables will be even more important to make all the rice/lentils and gluten free pasta and bread tasty. - that could be a good argument for extra allotment space!
My cauliflowers haven't curded up yet either - I'm assuming May as well now.
Sadly, my wonderful kale is starting to bolt, so I am frantically trying to get as much picked as possible. Still have a few savoy left, and plenty of sprouting broccoli though, and a few leeks -and the spring cabbage is nearly ready.
ooh a pond Grouchy - I have never had one , always been the wrong time, and instead have a small water trough for birds , but I did have a frog last year , so am keeping fingers crossed for this year.

Thank you all so much for the kind good wishes! The crazy thing is that I don't feel that bad, just a bit off-colour really. Hopefully will get test results soon!

grouchy - Oh please do start a pond thread! I have been talking about digging one for absolutely ages! I have a frog in my garden that lives under the shed, so it would be nice to give him a home. I am so impressed by how much you (and others) get done with smalls in tow! Totally understand the safety concerns around ponds, but then you also get pond-dipping and watching frogs and all kinds of other wonderful activities for children! (I remember trying to smuggle one into my bedroom as a child. My mother was not impressed).

It's great to see the enthusiasm for maintaining an allotment on here. We've had ours for three years and just getting into it again this year. The potatoes, parsnips, peas, and beans have gone in but a lot of work to do in the coming weeks.

It's been really great to have it for our girls too - I've recently written a short post on my blog about how important it is to help them learn about food production. If you're interested, you can read it here: dadvsdaughters.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/free-range-kids/

Afternoon!
Hope everyone is well .
Welcome DadvsDaughters
So have had a lot of things on that have meant no plot , and then it rained all day yesterday

So today, its dry - so this afternoon went to plant potatoes and get a savoy for tea.
It started to rain , half the job in ,so finished up wet and muddy. I had bought my potatoes loose, and DH had gone a bit mad, ( not really ! ) so I have enough for another row. Have sat down with my plan to see where to put them. So thats tomorrows job, praying for dry weather....
Other than that, lots of seeds germinated. Last night managed to squish a lot of slugs heading to my plug plants when I ran out in the rain to put them in the cold frame for the night . I am glad the neighbours can't see me -( I was in the dark, dancing around so the the outside lights would come on , picking slugs!)

Hahahahahaha! We could invent a new song and dance crazy - the slug!

I have done nothing today, but I did go and sit in my greenhouse to read a book I had to get through, as it was much warmer than the house and the wifi doesn't stretch out there - no distractions! I sat on the unopened and warm bags of potting compost- surprisingly comfy!

Ah, Shove I used to sit in my dad's greenhouse as a child, wih my cat, reading. Well, the cat did not read, obvs - but he was very clever he wasn't. One day I shall have a greenhouse of my own...

So it seems like the tomato curse that befell my house has lifted. The 2nd lot are all growing, fast, and I ran out of pots, so had to buy some more. Each day I pot a few up, and I am now running put of space too... I had so many good string seedlings of one variety - and I couldn't bear to throw them away - that I stuck outside in a spare bit of the thyme pot. They'll die, but it won't be my fault.

Oh, and I bought 3 more raspberries, as mine got a bit waterlogged I think and some appear to be dead drowned sticks.

I haven't had a chance to catch up on this thread for a few weeks. We've been busy with Easter and then away and then back to work. It's good to know the rest of you have been busy. I'll try and read it through properly later.

Good luck with the tests Shove.

So because we've been busy and the weather was a bit rubbish I feel like we're slightly behind. So far we've managed to plant up onions and shallots in the plot. The potatoes need to go in - we're hoping to get this done on Sunday although the weather forecast isn't looking too great so we may be doing it in the rain! I've only managed to plant leeks, celery and cabbages so far into seed trays/pots. The celery has germinated really well which is good. I've never grown it before so it will be a bit of an experiment. So I need to get on with the seed planting as we've got various beans and other seeds to get started.
My new raspberry and blackcurrant are both showing signs of green leaves which is good news. I don't expect anything much from them this year but hopefully next year they'll get into their stride.
It feels like we've been waiting forever to get going and then suddenly everything needs doing at once!

Afternoon!
a lovely morning , sunny, so spent it digging and planting the extra row of potatoes ( so now have 3 rows, not the 2 planned. These had better be good!)
Weeded all around the overwintering shallots, and the garlic, and picked some leeks for tea.
Good to hear the tomatoes are doing well now Spotted - hate to think you wouldn't have a surplus this year
It's true Cedar however well organised - I thought I was, and then other stuff needs to be sorted, and wham! all the planning goes to pot, and its frantic trying to catch up.
Well, this afternoon I finally remembered to sort out the mushroom spawn. It got hidden at the bottom of my salad drawer, and as I was cleaning it out - oops, there was the envelope, ( the box of compost has been hidden - out of sight, and out of mind) can but hope now....