I want to cry!

[jackyspratty]

Thanks for the encouragement! I thinkthat the pressure was due to being fenced in by two old straight line dudes who have been there for about 25years, and the other plots that are all over grown!!

I am now inspired by your words, and am encouraged to continue, but at the atart of this thread I was about to give up!Not only cos of the plot but also the atmosphere and lack of care on the site. So thanks to all, appreciated!

I will try and look up how to post photos so you can have a gander at our hard work!

[womble]

When I moved in here the ground was exactly like that, I struggled for 2 or 3 years not knowing any better, I had ground that was like concrete, stuff grew well and the soil was pretty fertile, but unworkable and full of horrible weeds.
I used to put a massive bag of manure on the plot and just watch it disappear, it seemed to do nothing, I also used alot of free sharp sand I had, it also disappeared.

Then I went to either raised beds or permanent beds. I got hold of massive amounts of manure and leaf mould, I just chucked it on everywhere, I ignored every book and put it in every bed, grew everything in it (it was well matured though), the following year suddenly the soil was workable and moisture retaining, free draining and like the soil you see on tv when they effortlessly dig a hole with their hands to plant things.
Up to that point I couldn't understand why if I wanted to dig a hole to plant something I had to get the pickaxe out......

Compost everything, but watch out for weedkillers that have been used on any brought in grass cuttings.

Collect tons and tons of leaves if you possibly can, I think these have given me the best soil structure of everything I have put on, I had 60 bin liners full 2years ago and I have 70 composting now from last year. And I don't have a massive plot at all, add everything together and I might have half an allotment.

And you need to keep adding it, don't think you can pile it on and just leave it for a few years then, it all rots down and produces a lovely soil, but you need to keep putting more humus on it.

As I understand it, leaves don't add much fertility, so you need something else, I use manure and FB&B, also liquid feed from my own comfrey (plant a big patch of boking 14), nettles and other weeds with long tap roots.

[jackyspratty]

Well thanks Womble! Luckily I live at the bottom of woods so started collecting bags of leaves last year> Thought I had loads, but it really reduces doesnt it!

Am adding as I go along now, little by little! Now Im just praying for lots of rain to soak the cardboard so I can cut through with my bulb planter and get my plants in!

By the way what is FB&B?

[Hans Mum]

Fish, Blood & Bonemeal get in places like Wilko etc

[jackyspratty]

Thanks hans mum! Think I may have some in my garage but might be a bit old now. Wll check. Now getting quite a big bag of used coffee from Mcdonalds so that should help too!

By the way hansmum, dont think I can make to your lotty open day Im afraid, as we may be going to a mini festival with Richard Hawley if I can get tickets. Let me know tho if you have other stuff happening up your way and Ill try and get there.

[lindyloo]

i'm not anywhere near as experienced as most of the other posters on this forum, but i wonder whether you have considered the no- dig method, which i have read up on the internet? it would allow you to get some things in straight away, and long term should improve your soil by adding leaves and straw. it seems straightforward. i have seen them without sides, just mounds, and you could source some throw- away recycled timber to make raised beds.

from experience, i have learnt that the best way of sharing any space (not just allotments) , without argument or hassle, is to divvy the area up, with maybe a communal area to really share, and others to have sole responsibility for. it just allows for individuality and no-one gets to feeling put upon or left out.

[Llamas]

I really admire those who can share. My OH is barely allowed into the greenhouse, and I don't think he's ever dared walk in my veg patch. Of course, the cat goes anywhere she d*** well pleases.

[jackyspratty]

i'm not anywhere near as experienced as most of the other posters on this forum, but i wonder whether you have considered the no- dig method, which i have read up on the internet? it would allow you to get some things in straight away, and long term should improve your soil by adding leaves and straw. it seems straightforward. i have seen them without sides, just mounds, and you could source some throw- away recycled timber to make raised beds.

from experience, i have learnt that the best way of sharing any space (not just allotments) , without argument or hassle, is to divvy the area up, with maybe a communal area to really share, and others to have sole responsibility for. it just allows for individuality and no-one gets to feeling put upon or left out.

Thanks Lindyloo. Yes thats what we are doing really, beds are covered with cardboard, with manure above and under it, and am adding used coffee, grass, leaf mould. Hopefuly this will weaken the roots of weeds and then dug in at the end of the season (ooh, I sound like I know what Im talking about!)

In the meantime I will cut holes in the card and plant through them. Most seedlings are almost ready to go in, well are now wapping plants really!

Re sharing, we have to do it like this really. It makes sense for us and generally works well. We do have our moments tho, had one yesterday really! Its my own fault for not driving!!

[lindyloo]

once something starts to grow, it will all seem better! sorry didnt realize you were doing no dig beds- the ones i saw seem to incorprate a lot of straw. i expect theres all sorts of ways of doing it. you farther along than i was when i rented an allotment years ago- we couldnt even break the soil and gave it up eventually!!!

[jackyspratty]

The sharing thing is ok but can be frustrating, as we both have different aznd limited time available. We started off shar1ng my buddies quarter plot (nice site) but Its too far away for me as I dont drive. Plus my bud is really busy when we need to be up there and last yaer so much went to seed before we got to eat it!
So Then I got my quarter plot, so near I can walk in between school runs. We grow hardy or perennial stuff at lotty 1, such as spuds, onions, garlic, jerusalem chokes, globe chhokes, squash , plus root veg - parsnips, beetroots, salsify and scorzonera.
Plan was to grow more needy stuff at my lotty, suc as brassicas beans peas, stuff that needs picking and tending and checking all the time. That was befre we cleared the plot and realsied that the soil had no worms etc in it, was rock hard etc etc! Anyhoo, its now better and I feel more uplifted. Its covered and am busy mulching with what ever comes to hand. Think we havent had enough rain to cut card with bulb planter, think its a stanley nife job! Plus the pants are now getting pretty big, especially potimaron. Having a lotty buddy works well, as we learn from each other and have someone to talk veg to! We probably cpuldnt do it with out each other, and do have fun when we get together. We perhaps have different approches at times, but seem to work through it and compromise. I couldnt and wouldnt want to do it without him , hes my veggie bud

Lotty bud has manged to get hold of half ton of sandy loam which will be handy! Just need to sow a few more things and Im sorted! Will be an interesting year if nothing else. So thanks guys

[womble]

Plus the pants are now getting pretty big

Nothing worse than big pants

[jackyspratty]

Nothing worse than big pants

Whoops!! Blame it on my carpal tunnel syndrome, my fingers go astray on the keyboard! But then again unfortunately its true!!!

[jackie j]

Blame it on my carpal tunnel syndrome, my fingers go astray on the keyboard! But then again unfortunately its true!!!

Have the operation I have had both done and oh so much better.

[smallfrog]

some councils will sell you compost you can turn up at the local tip and load a trailor for a £10. I think at the other tip it was £2.50 a big bag. It looks like nice stuff as well.
Might be worth a look into if your after soil improver.

[jackyspratty]

Have the operation I have had both done and oh so much better.

Only just been diagnosed jacke seeing the skeletal unit in june. Had it when I was pregnant with my first and it went away. This time my hands just kept giving way. Some potentially nasty moments when I dropped pans of roasty potatoes, luckily the kids weren't around. Found turning taps, lifting kettles difficult, hen got the tell tale numbness when in bed! No doubt I will get the rather fetching american tan wrist splints to wear!

some councils will sell you compost you can turn up at the local tip and load a trailor for a £10. I think at the other tip it was £2.50 a big bag. It looks like nice stuff as well.
Might be worth a look into if your after soil improver.

Thanks smallfrog, will look into that. Will be surprised if leeds do that tho!