Field to veg plot

[helly]

Hello, I ve been given a chance to convert a large part of a field to a very large veg plot. Has anyone ever attempted this as I have only been use to converting gardens to veg plots. Seeing both size and open aspects of a farmers field seems abit daunting but equally challenging and exciting for me to take on. Any advice on this would be VERY HELPFUL
cheers H

[Alison]

Don't see any reason why you can't, it's not that much different to how a lot of our plots have become when we've taken them over. How big is the field and what has it been used for?

[helly]

Its not been agreed yet but I guess getting onto 1/2 acre and in the past its been used to grow winter feed and have been told its very fertile, Regually manured over the years.

[sewer rat]

I took on 5 acres a year past February and it's definitely do-able.
You will need to fence off your patch of the field so that there can be no arguing about size at a later date.
As it's been used for growing crops and has been regularly manured, fertiity should be okay.
The next thing you need to consider is access and services. Is there existing vehicle access ? What about a water supply ? Do you require electricity ? A shed ? A polytunnel ?.
Then I would sketch a layout showing any areas of hard standing, and any permanent beds - for rhuubarb and soft fruits etc and divide the remainder into 5 beds - potatoes/ brassicas / legumes / overwintering crops/ onions and carrots.
You can usually hire a decent size rotovator - then set to it.
One other thing - don't be surprised at the amount of weeds that come up .
Good Luck

[helly]

Thanks sewer rat, i've been reading your blog and have been inspired. There is vehicle access but hard standing needs to be done, just incase I get passing trade. Water supply nil, so plenty of water butts( those blue feeding bins should be ok) I hope to put a polytunnel in so I can get water off that like my greenhouses. Also I hope to put in at least 6 long beds the farmer has the equipment to make that happpen. Hopefully having a polytunnel (for the 1st time ) and after reading your blog, I see that you have plenty of diiferent veg in yours, is that due to harsh weather where you are or demand. I ask this as I hopefully would like to supply veg to the public. Can you sugest what i should try first.
cheers H

[sewer rat]

Hi Helly
As regards supplying veg to the public, if you are only going to supply your own veg then that is okay but if you start to get a bit more involved and buy in veg or fruit or anything else to sell, you will need to inform your local council and it gets very complicated with requirements for you to have taken an Elementary Food Hygiene Course, and possibly planning permission for a shed / store / shop etc.
However, walk before we run and all that, so -
veg that will attract customers -
1. New potatoes (early / second early varieties) are a must, but do some local research and find out what sort of tattie is favoured in your area. Up here they like a dry tattie, but one thing I have learnt in the last two seasons in relation to Scotland is that East Coast prefer a dry tattie, whereas West Coast prefer a waxy tattie, and older people prefer a dry tattie whereas younger people prefer a waxy tattie.
2. PYO (pick your own) Peas and Broad Beans. Again, I grow and early variety of pea and a maincrop variety to follow on. I also sow broad beans twice so I have plenty throughout the season (picked my last broad beans today)
3. Salad veg - tomatoes are popular, as are cucumbers, and mixed salad leaves too. You can buy a salad mix seed and grow it as a CCA crop - I grew an oriental mix this year as well as Rocket and Mizuna and all very popular - cut the leaves when young and an 80g bag will get you £1.25.
4. Calalbrese is popular with a lot of people, especially young mums, but choose your varieties or it will all come at once and then you'll run out.
5. Veg that are easy to grow but do not sell as well as you might think include courgettes (thank god I run a box scheme or I would be over-run with them) and milan turnips.
5. Plan your winter crops too - leeks, savoy cabbage, swede, spring greens are all important in seeing you through the winter, and in the tunnel you can continue to grow salad leaf mixes throughout the winter.
Hope this gives you some food for thought to start with - anything else I can help with, drop me a PM.

[MrsC]

SW 5 acres!!! WOW. Going to have to take a peek at your blog! Good luck Helly, SW seems to be the man to speak to about this!

[bobleponge]

Helly, half an acre is definately feasable. My veg plot is probably about that, but beforehand it was just a garden, covered in grass. Took a while, a reasonable amount of swearing, plenty of sweat, fair bit of blood at times but all in all, well worthwhile. Take piccys too. You will be amazed in a year from now just how much you have achieved

[helly]

thanks everyone, a big thanks to Sewer Rat for your advice , I will proberbly need your help if I get the go ahead, so fingers and toes crossed . I hope to get to talk it through with the farmer this weekend , so i'll get my head back into the books for as much research as poss..
cheers H