New Allotment

[alldigging]

Not at all, I like to have a chat, but I also like the solitude !

Trouble is my Plot us the first one, so everyone has to go past me, and so I probably get even less done, maybe I should hide in my shed!

I was asked why I hadn't picked the plot nearest the gate. it had great soil, but it was near the gate.

[Dorothy rouse]

Ours were all new, and it was a wet miserable day at the end of Feb, they all looked awful! I just picked one, the first one No 16, opposite plot 1, it saves me having to carry stuff too far, I suppose!

I know realise being near the parking area, it was also the one with the most buried builders rubbish!

[Sheneval]

I am right in the middle of the site and my daughter's is in a group of 4 who are all always ready for a chat and a joke plus I spent this year in between working on both plots, the kid's plots and another where I was assisting to let the girl keep the plot - result I am all over the place chatting to all and sundry and sharing a beer with a few all located in different parts of the site. Results is I get visitors from all over who pass a few minutes chatting before carrying on to do whatever they were going to do.

I had one this afternoon who rarely consorts with other plot holders but he came over to speak for about 20 mins or so whilst his poor wife waited impatiently for him to go home

[Sheneval]

Another half bed done yesterday - only one more side to do and I can do a tidy up and will be ready for spring planting - after I do my daughter's plot

[Dorothy rouse]

Another half bed done yesterday - only one more side to do and I can do a tidy up and will be ready for spring planting - after I do my daughter's plot

What mixture are you putting in your new raised beds Shen?

[Sheneval]

Dotty,

It will vary depending on what is available and whether or not I put in a raised bed on top of the edged beds as I did last year for carrots and beetroot which basically went into compost purchased from Azda if I remember correctly because it was the best deal financially and I got good returns from both.

I have already put in some seaweed, leafmould and Council compost but will put in some more Council compost with bought compost on top. The potato bed had both manure and seaweed dug in.

I have one dalek of compost which has been maturing for well over a year - the previous one which looked excellent went into one of my daughter's beds. I may use this one for one of my own.

I also have 2 bales of straw which could provide a layer in each bed as I understand it is good for holding water.

Glad you asked I need to firm up exactly how I will proceed over the next two weeks

Good day at the allotment today - all beds now edged and a load of rubbish removed - also my son in law came up direct from work and we edged the first bed on my daughter's.

Need to get the PH monitor out to see how much lime I need to apply

[Dorothy rouse]

Here are the 2 completed beds, one is a double one,

2 more to be done.

[Sheneval]

Dotty,

Looks good

[Sheneval]

A quick hour at the allotment today getting 3 barrow loads of woodchip to cover a path that had not been covered.

[Sheneval]

Two useful days at the allotment with son in law edging the beds on his plot and doing a general tidy of his plot - daughter and grandkids came up later and spent the afternoon collecting wood chip for the paths. We weeded the onion bed which seems to be doing quite well.

Lovely day today with bright sunlight for much of the day with only one or two minor showers lasting a few minutes

[Sheneval]

Spent a few hours yesterday separating old fencing that had been delivered to the plot, some in good condition, the rest will have to go on a fire. A finicky business as all the nails had to be removed to prevent our grass cutter being damaged after the fire. However many proved to be able to be used again.

Will hopefully finish the rest today and will have enough to make a new gate for my back garden as the present one is falling to bits.

[Sheneval]

Another 4 hours at the allotment today - did another load of fence wood and salvaged about 10 boards.

Hand forked the edge of the bed next the path removing a number of small weeds and 2 docks and put in a couple of flowers - trimmed back some lavender and one or two other items and repaired a cage which had broken at a knot on both sides.

[Sheneval]

Been at the allotment every day this week taking advantage of the fine weather and getting beds ready for planting - managed to build a raised bed today for carrots and beetroot filled with lovely soil from a raised bed on a plot that has been abandoned.

Gave one of my 4 rhubarb plants to a fellow plot holder who had none and picked some of my own which had been forced over the last few weeks to make a rhubarb tart and very tasty it is too

[Maddiesaur]

Just wanted to say that I've really enjoyed reading this thread through. You are reasonably close by so looking at what you've done and when has been really useful

[Sheneval]

Maddiesaur,

Just to say that my friend has his peas in last week, early potatoes this week - his carrot, parsnip and beetroot beds are ready for sowing. I am hoping to sow the first of my carrots and beetroot this weekend and possibly peas also - my potatoes are maincrop so will probably go in next week or the following depending on the weather - this winter has been very mild whereas last winter and spring was quite severe.