Hi =]

[Maddiesaur]

Hi folks,

I'm a serial lurker but finally got myself a plot yesterday and so thought I'd take the plunge and register to post.

I've taken on a local 5mx5m plot which needs very little work, all things considered. Some turning and straightening up then it is pretty much good to go!

I will be looking for budgeting ideas as, like many, we've been hit hard financially over the past year so as well as getting out into the fresh air and enjoying getting my hands dirty, this project will (hopefully) help to feed myself and my partner.

Looking forward to chatting to everyone

[Mr Bones]

Hello and welcome to the vine.

[mothhawk]

Hi, Maddie, and welcome to the vine. Nice to welcome another early riser!

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome to the Vine.

[bearded bloke]

Hello & welcome

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the Madhouse!

[Stu8706]

Hello matey and welcome


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[Maddiesaur]

Thanks folks, already got some nice chit chat and advice going in a main thread. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful

[veggiechicken]

Hi Maddie and welcome from me too. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home

[Vince G]

Hi Maddie, welcome to the vine, and good on yer for getting your plot.

5m x 5m is not huge in terms of allotment space, but you'll be surprised what you can pack into it.

There was some chat on here the other night about the economics of a smallish plot, the trick is to grow stuff on your plot that's not cheap in the shops. So don't bother with onions, carrots or spuds as you can buy these by the sack load quite cheaply. (Do grow some new potatoes though, as they're not always cheap in the shops, but a dozen tubers from your garden centre that sells them loose will cost you a quid or so).

Salads are great - a bag of salad for one meal can cost 80p - £1 from the supermarket, but so will a packet of 1,000 seeds that will keep you in salad all summer.

Also, things that grow in a fairly small space will be great. The following would take up about a square yard:

runner beans and french beans grown up a "wigwam" of canes will give you a good yield. Runners are big and stringy in the shops and french beans are usually imported from sunnier climes, your own will be fantastic.

A block of sweetcorn - 16 plants, 4 x 4.

One courgette plant will give you so many fruit you'll get fed up of them by the end of summer.

A jerusalem artichoke tuber will cost you 20p from the supermarket - stick it in the ground now and in November you'll have tons of the things. In fact, be warned, you'll get plants popping up there for years to come, so let's hope you like JA's!

Sow a few kales on your windowsill in large pots and these can go in your plot when you have a space giving you fresh greens in winter..........so many options.....enjoy !!

[Sheneval]

Hi Maddie - welcome and enjoy

[Florence Fennel]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Vine

[Tripmeup]

Hello and welcome!!

[Maddiesaur]

Thanks folks!

[vegboi]

Hi maddy welcome to the vine


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