I Am So So Lucky...Chuffed To Bits..!!

[pipscariad]

Sorry to hear that Nippy , but if you hadn't asked you would have always wondered. I also have an empty greenhouse in next doors garden (second home), but I haven't asked as I just know they would say no, and I wouldn't want them to feel awkward saying it. (They have two garden chairs in there and sit in it when it's raining!)

Braders, that's great news about the garden, but as Growem said I wouldn't expend too much effort, just little as poss. I also have a plot on land 'loaned' from a friend, and my big fear is that in a year or so, when I have turned an acre of field into a productive plot, they will decide they want to grow veggies on it themselves. I'm pretty sure I'm safe, as they are friends, but who knows. Enjoy it anyway

[BumbleB]

Lucky you. I tried to pluck up courage to ask my neighbour if I could use her empty greenhouse this year but never quite managed it.

Dont you see so many unused greenhouses?? When we were searching to buy a 2nd hand GH we looked in all the usual places, local papers, ebay, loot etc and had quite a time searching for something suitable at the right price and not too far a distance. But in doing so I found myself spying all the unused and empty GH's in gardens as we drove around - what a waste!

Well done Braders on your find, I bet you start small, but then it all grows and you'll be wanting a pot shed, GH and raised beds. Good luck

[Creemteez]

Yo! Braders! Well done for asking, luv!
I was in exactly the same position as you back in Feb. Had been eying up this bit of ground that actually belongs to my hair-crimpers husband for about a year. I too took the, "well they can only say 'no'" line, and Bobs your aunty I have my very own little lottie in exchange for produce this year and a nominal rent in subsequent years.
It's just as well I asked when I did, as I was speaking to Crimper's Husband the other day and he said he had had loads of people come up to him since I'd been working it, saying that if they had known it was up for grabs they'd have asked for it!
He's a good guy, the patch of ground used to be tilled by his "Granfer", and he said it was nice to see it being used for what it was intended, and that "Granfer" was probably hovering over my shoulder, giving me encouragement. I told him that his Granfer was always welcome, and that he'd have to share his hovering space with my darling Dad who died last year, and loved to turn the soil

[Droppey]

Grats Braders now the fun starts or should I say addiction

[braders]

ah ..well..we are doing the same thing with a bit of field..

..slicing off the 'turf' sideways by about2-3"...and then stacking it to rot down until next year.
Then digging each bed to a spade depth....and the rotorvating.
Each of our beds is 4ft x ...whatever.....( +/- 6-9 ft)

each bed is takg about 1 1/2 hrs before it's ready for planting.

Sounds a lot to do....but I can guarantee there will be many LESS weeds this way!!!

well done on getting your plot...you must be so excited!!!!!

Made a start...not done any hard graft for a while...so my back tells me..lol..pic attached.

Cheers
braders...

[jackie j]

As I drive to my lottie and on the way into the site there are about five or six huge garden centre size greenhouses.............unused and derilect it is such a shame to see them like that. I dont know why they dont pull them down as they are a hazzard although it would be trespassing to go near them. Good luck with your peice of land.

[braders]

Evening Grapes

Well...to cut a long story short, I approached a neighbour, who has this plot of land that is never used...just has the occasional mowing, so I plucked up the courage to ask him if he has ever considered turning it into a veg / fruit plot and he almost immediately said YES..!..he would be delighted. Am I lucky or what..?..its got an outside tap too and he has given me my own key to come and go as I like..all he wants in return is some produce. I have attached a couple of pics to share with you all. One question..how would you go about tackling the grass, dig and turn the grass sods under, or skim it...would love all your comments people..oh by the way it is approx 11 x 9 metres, a good size I think..yes..?

Cheers...a happy braders...

Just thought some of you people would like to see my progress...just come in now...back is done in, but worth it...hope you all had a productive day too.

Cheers
braders...

[BarleySugar]

Well done Braders, looks like it's coming along well. My neighbours are more into astro turf and paving slabs, so no luck there.

HOWEVER today I've had an email offering me the use of a garden about 4 miles away. Not as close as I'd like, but as there's no allotments in sight, I'll consider whats on offer. It's also on the way home from work (ish).

He says it 20ft by 50ft, this seasons weeds only, not nettles or thistles, and I should be able to grow in it this year!
I'm trying to be sensible about this, I don't know what access will be like, water availability, it it all available or do some ornamentals need to stay? what restrictions etc yet, and I can't phone him until Tues. Should I start sowing seeds tomorrow?
Contact was made via the Channel 4 landshare website, so it is worth signing up, you never know!

[braders]

Well done Braders, looks like it's coming along well. My neighbours are more into astro turf and paving slabs, so no luck there.

HOWEVER today I've had an email offering me the use of a garden about 4 miles away. Not as close as I'd like, but as there's no allotments in sight, I'll consider whats on offer. It's also on the way home from work (ish).

He says it 20ft by 50ft, this seasons weeds only, not nettles or thistles, and I should be able to grow in it this year!
I'm trying to be sensible about this, I don't know what access will be like, water availability, it it all available or do some ornamentals need to stay? what restrictions etc yet, and I can't phone him until Tues. Should I start sowing seeds tomorrow?
Contact was made via the Channel 4 landshare website, so it is worth signing up, you never know!

Thanks for the kind words...just go for it and get in what you can...take a section at a time, thats what I am doing and it seems to be working out ok...signed up for the Channel 4 website...had a few offers, but too far away, my plot is 20 yards from my house...been there solid for the last 3 days and my back knows it...lol..anyway a couple more pics attached...is everyone getting bored now..?..lol...keep us posted on your progress BarleySugar.

Cheers
braders...

[SarzWix]

Looks like good soil under the grass braders

Make sure you rest that back!!

[braders]

Looks like good soil under the grass braders

Make sure you rest that back!!

Soil is fantastic...very crumbly and easy to work...thanks for the comments.

[carlseawolf]

looking good braders, and let me wish you the best of luck!

[BarleySugar]

I'm going to see the garden tonight, but we had a drive down the road and it's a mid-victorian terrace, and I can't see any back access. He's not in from work until 6, so although I'm trying to be optimistic, there could be problems if I need to go through the house all the time

I'll let you know later what happens.

[braders]

I'm going to see the garden tonight, but we had a drive down the road and it's a mid-victorian terrace, and I can't see any back access. He's not in from work until 6, so although I'm trying to be optimistic, there could be problems if I need to go through the house all the time

I'll let you know later what happens.

Fingers crossed...hope you get on ok...keep me posted.

[braders]

Looks like good soil under the grass braders

Make sure you rest that back!!

Happy Birthday by the way...