My new evening course: Allotment Gardening!

[Caro]

Hi everyone,

Just had to share ... last night was the first class in my Allotment Garden evening course (errr, I'm attending, not presenting in case there's any confusion!). We have 6 evening classes, and 4 morning "practicals" at a real plot.

I loved it! But I'll need to be careful in case I come across as the annoying one who won't quit asking questions. It's just amateur enthusiasm. I'll just need to save some of my questions for here. Given my ignorance, there's plenty to go around.

Our tutor has over 30 years experience. Most interesting (to me) was he gardened at Pollock House in Glasgow for 10 years, think he was the head fruit & veg gardener, and now he works for the council teaching all their gardeners and landscapers.

This week we covered the theory behind soil types & remedies, depths, how/when to dig etc, and basic crop rotation. Homework for next week is to come up with a plot design. Perfect. Just what I'm trying to do at the moment. And best of all, we're to bring soil samples in and we'll test them to see what we've got. Yippee

But why oh why do I have only two raised beds? I need three for rotation

Can't wait for next week.

[Incy]

Lucky you! Sounds like a really fun course

[Jillyreeves]

I second that, lucky you :-) Wish there was something like that near where I live.

[FionaH]

Sounds really great, lucky you. Ask all the questions you want and don't worry about being annoying. When will you get a chance like this again?

[ginger ninger]

I'm so chuffed for you Caro, the buzz of enthusiasm...Arrrrr I remember it well, your tutor sounds like a fountain of knowledge, you'll be a Guru before ya know it ...Enjoy.

[Pete C]

I need a course like that. In fact, I crave a course like that. Indeed, I DEMAND a course like that. My choices are English as a Second Language, Hairdressing or Midwifery.

I know what you mean about crop rotation. My own plans have gone from two raised beds to six!

[Flummery]

You can't beat nicking a bit of someone's years-of-experience. Sounds brilliant!

[binley100]

It's so not fair we don't have courses like that unless you want to pay a fortune at Ryton Organics. Lucky you I'm sure you'll have grat fun and don't worry about asking too many questions that's what they're there for.

[Dane End Dolly]

so lucky we do not have anything like that near me. i would love an evening course but it would have to be in summer as it gets dark so quickly

[Two_Sheds]

But why oh why do I have only two raised beds? I need three for rotation

Halve them, and do a 4-bed rotation?

[zazen999]

It's so not fair we don't have courses like that unless you want to pay a fortune at Ryton Organics. Lucky you I'm sure you'll have grat fun and don't worry about asking too many questions that's what they're there for.

I thought their courses were quite cheap, compared to some I've been on and paid for.

[Caro]

Halve them, and do a 4-bed rotation?

That would probably be more sensible. I was thinking of splitting them so that I had a 2/3rds section in each, plus 2x 1/3rds.

I might try that for this year, but if I have much success I can see a bit more of my lawn going next year

[Florence Fennel]

That would probably be more sensible. I was thinking of splitting them so that I had a 2/3rds section in each, plus 2x 1/3rds.

I might try that for this year, but if I have much success I can see a bit more of my lawn going next year

Go on Caro, dig up some more lawn, it's totally necessary!

[Two_Sheds]

if I have much success I can see a bit more of my lawn going next year

.. well, you can't eat lawn

[piskieinboots]

Go on Caro, dig up some more lawn, it's totally necessary!

yes yes and some more yes - totally agree