Brand New from South East England

[Dalarran]

I have to look around this site and see how things are done. I don't have an allotment, but have raised beds in a large garden. To be honest, I struggle. I am always a step or two behind the weeds, and I know the garden area is too large, but I don't want to give any of it up, so I am still extending it. Well, I am only 67, so there are a few good years left in me yet.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Dalarran, it sounds like you've got a lovely big garden there

[Dalarran]

Thankyou Bren. It is actually a farm, so I can have as much or as little for the garden as I wish. I was a bit greedy.

[flighty1]

Welcome Dalarran, I hope you enjoy your time on this forum. I only joined recently & find it to be a real god send. Everybody is so helpful & patient.

[organic]

Welcome!

Me and the girlfriend hope to live on a small farm or smallholding at some point so you've got me a wee bit jealous there!


I mention this system a fair bit - but for growing the same amount in a smaller space and with less effort, you might want to have a look into the Square Foot Gardening system.
It's designed by Mel Bartholomew and can (he claims) grow a given amount of food in a fifth of the space... that obviously means a fifth of the weeding and watering too.

Your local library might have it in their catalogue and you can read some of it on Google Books:
Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to ... - Google Books

If you're just after a big ornamental garden, though, it's probably not going to be any less effort than you've got now.

Worth a look if nothing else.

[northepaul]

HI there, and welcome to the vine

[elsie-scot]

Welcome to the vine

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine Dalarran - 67? Pffff - that's nothing! My Mum gave up her allotment when she reached 88. Keeps you fit and healthy, growing your own!!

[Florence Fennel]

I'm late, I know and I'm sorry! Welcome to the Vine!

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

[ginger ninger]

I'm late as well, welcome Dalarran hope your stay is a fruitful one. xx

[Dalarran]

Thankyou for those lovely messages. I have looked at square foot gardening Organic and it seems very sensible for fitting in with a garden. My veg patch is so full, I have to use a piece of soil around the oil tank for beetroot and some ground at the back of the shed for spinach.
I live in the fens, which means I am given a lot of veggies and don't plant these types, and expect a handful of leek plants very soon. I am given loads of soft fruit, including the new Rovada redcurrant, so the garden is getting quite full.
This is a gardener's dream here.
Thankyou for the welcome.

[organic]

The difference in use of space with square foot is incredible. A neighbouring plotholder is using traditional methods and also in their first season. I'm stunned at how much more I've got growing in the 2 beds I've got sown up so far (2 of 8) than they've got on about half of their plot that's being used properly now. It's hard to believe how much more you can fit into the space when you pack it in like that. That said - provided the oil tank doesn't leak that sounds like a good use of the space to me!