Trying to grow carrots while growing children

[Mrs Be]

Hello!

I've been browsing around this very busy forum today and thought I'd take the plunge and join the chat!

I try (try being the word) to grow veggies on our allotment which we've had for about four years. I'm also, new this year, trying to grow some in containers in our back garden, while planning a new design of said garden. We're also keen to redesign our very boring front garden.

Friday I was also given the green light to start up a gardening club at my children's school so will be looking at the boards to see if there are any nuggets of info/help I can glean. Very nervous about that!

My five children are all, at varying degrees, keen to help me on the allotment as is Hubby who is thankfully handy at building things.

OK, that was very long! Hope to chat with lots of you soon.
Mrs Be

[Finedon.Dandy]

Hi Mrs Be

We too are trying to grow whilst they grow! What ages are they? We have a daughter who is 4 going on 24 and a monkey of a little boy who is 2 going on terrible twos for ever! He watches what I do and then tries to copy but of course its the plants that get dug up, not the weeds etc!

Good luck with the club, would love to impart any ideas - will get my thinking cap on. Looking forward to chatting.

Tammy

[zazen999]

Welcome to the vine

First thing; pop your location into your profile, so that others in your region can give you relevant advice.

Secondly, have a look at the growing techniques section; there's some really good advice about carrots there!

and Thirdly; what a saint for running a school gardening club.

[Mrs Be]

Hello Tammy,

They are 11, 9, 7, 3 and very nearly two. Haven't actually taken all five up to the allotment on my own, wimp that I am!

Yes please to any school gardening club ideas. Some schools seem to have had clubs for years so I think ours is very slow off the ground!

[Finedon.Dandy]

Would imagine the eldest three would be ok and even helpful up the plot but I do sympathise about the youngerst!!!LOL!!!

I think an ideal plant to start them all off with would be marigolds - they are so easy, bright and cheerfull and come up really easy. Has the plot got anything on it yet? - Get the kids on an identify and name - it must be helpful to know whats there already. Even if its just weeds - its good to teach the kids about them too.

Off to put Daniel in the bath now and then into his bed - be back in about an hour - I hope!!!

Tammy

[sallyw]

hello to you too,, we have only just got our allotment, and want to pick up lots of tips on the way i didnt realise how many people are into grow your own do you think jamie oliver has anything to do with it??

[zazen999]

hello to you too,, we have only just got our allotment, and want to pick up lots of tips on the way i didnt realise how many people are into grow your own do you think jamie oliver has anything to do with it??

Not here he hasn't!! My Grandad has everything to do with it for me; he grew his own, was obsessed with Percy Thrower and his tomatoes were simply the best. We also used to grow sweetcorn when I was little in Canada; I remember being so small and them being so tall; and always wanted to grow them myself. So now I do.

[Seahorse]

Hello Mrs Be I'm one child behind you - mine are 10, 8, 6 and 2. I'm sure I don't get as much done in the garden and down the lottie as people without kids but I like to think the fun we have makes up for it

[sallyw]

my dad was the one who inspired me to do all of this he always had a fantastic veg patch at the end of the garden, his runner beans were his pride and joy and always went out late at night with the hose to give them a good soaking, i have fond memories of onions laying on the path drying in the sun. I guess i didn't appreciate his enthusiasm at the time but i think he'd be very proud of me now, i'm even proud of myself managing to grow things from seed !!!

[Snadger]

Hello Mrs Be and welcome to the vine!

All I can suggest is digging a long trench and planting them in it, cover with soil and water well.................as for carrots, no idea!

[Mrs Be]

Ah, thank you all for the welcome!

Have to say, not sure what inspired me to start with our allotment four years ago but jolly glad we did after reading others' tales about long waiting lists!

I've never been really successful at it, mainly because of being pregnant/having a newborn but this year finally feel very enthused and energised about it all. It's turning into quite a passion (Hubby would say obsession!)

[sallyw]

it must be harder to fit in all the work with a young family as well, mine are teenagers so we have more time on our hands than you, at our site i'm amazed by how many young families there are they all bring their kids at some time or other and its lovely to see the little ones helping with the digging and planting!!

[Bluemchen]

Welcome Mrs Be - I'm new too and my husband would say I'm obsessed as well! Can't help myself though... it is all so exciting. I'm doing the children and carrots too - my elder kept asking to go home when the plot was just landscaping fabric and bricks, bless her. Thankfully now there are some holes for here to play in, and her own bed to plant and not much landscaping fabric! My little on is only 6 months, so can't move, and sleeps happily in the greenhouse!

[Mrs Be]

Thanks for the welcome Bluemchen. Sounds like everything is coming along! Have to say I was slightly jealous when read the word greenhouse - obviously a versatile place!