Just starting

[Lex]

Hi all again ,i see from my post its been a year since,but finnally got my patch clear of debris including a backbreaking Anderson shelter from the war,ive got my composter on the old footings.
The soil is heavy clay but i have acces to a good source of manure which i plan to dig in,ive burnt a lot of wood on the ground ,can i dig it in or should i try to remove it?.
I plan on having a path down the middle (ive got some old slabs to use) and then quarter it ,i dont think i will get anything planted as i may be a little to late this year .Any tips for the stage i am at would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers Lex

Ps ive added a photo,the left handside is nearly dug over now which it doesent show.

[Two_Sheds]

Not too late to sow things. Start them off in modules/pots, and then plant them out as your ground becomes clear.

salad
squashes & pumpkins
French beans
sweetcorn
winter brassicas

[Lex]

Thanks Twosheds ,i shall put some in pots and put them in the outhouse ,got a bit of room now the Guinea pigs have been evicted back to the garden,do my basic ideas about my patch sound right ?

[NOG]

How did you get hold of the metal corner pallet sides??

Everyone I know want them back.

[Lex]

I work in an engineering company on the docks ,most of the parts come in them which is quite lucky.

[jenjen]

Not too late at all! I got my allotment a year ago and didn't plant anything til, I guess, mid June. Beans and sweetcorn were our main successes (if I ignore the fact the mice ate most of the sweetcorn) although there's time for leeks and spring onions too. We also sowed some sunflowers and got a massive one (link to my blog with a piccie) which frankly, was the most exciting thing of all last year (and the stem is a useful measuring/straight line thingy for planting this year). Oh, and for a few weeks I shared the allotment with someone who planted gourds. Useless things, but if you want something to grow, I'd definitely recommend them...

Plant things - after all, having an allotment is about growing veggies, not about clearing 60 years worth of debris (do you have any 'before' photos? would love to see that anderson shelter!)

[Iamhanuman]

i think your plot looks great and i'm sure good things will come of it!!!
i have yet to plant into my raised bed but plan on beetroot, cabbage, kale and maybe a few other bits
you can do it!!

[Lex]

Thanks for all the encouragement and ideas as i think you do need it while digging and doing the hard bit as it where .I am determined to get something planted this year and have something to show for my exertions.
Unfortunatly i dont have any photos of the Anderson shelter when it was intact but i do remember having to pay for a mini digger and pecker to break it up.
------------------
Cheers Lex

[Lex]

Hi all again ,its been nearly a year I think since my last visit and I thought I would update you and ask a question ,my patch is done and Ive got some spuds in ,but thats really it for the mo ,ive been putting up my greeehouse recently ,bought for £50 from a neighbour so I didnt have to strip it to barebones to move it .
Its sat on some railway sleepers at the minute on the grass ,what would you suggest I do inside ,slab it or part soil ,part slabs ,im not really sure as whats for the best ,Thanks in advance and hope you like my before and after pics .
Cheers Lex

[pauco]

That's a great looking setup Lex, worth all your hard work. As for the g/h i think it's very much down to the individual on how it will work best for yourself, and what you wish to grow. Good luck with this years growing.

paul.

[Bren In Pots]

[QUOTE=Lex;829138]
Its sat on some railway sleepers at the minute on the grass ,what would you suggest I do inside ,slab it or part soil ,part slabs ,im not really sure as whats for the best ,QUOTE]

Lex Its like Pauco says it all depends if you're using pots, grow bags or plan on growing directly into the greenhouse border.

[Lex]

Thanks for the replys all , Im gonna wing it and see probably half and half and see what happens , but I am going try some Toms ,Cucumbers ,peppers and some salad leaves in an old Belfast sink I have aquired
Cheers Lex

[Two_Sheds]

when people grow direct in the soil in a gh, they tend to replace all the soil every year or so

[Lex]

I will take that onboard Two Sheds , but i was planning on growbags on top of the soil and slit the bottoms so the roots could grow through , or so Ive been told that this is a good idea .
Cheers Lex

[Two_Sheds]

You can do that, but your plants will lose that little bit of head room - they'd be a few inches taller if you planted into the soil

If that matters...!