Our new Allotment

[The Masons]

Well, had the call from the council today to say that we could have our plot as from today. They said because we had been waiting round for a while that we could go down and start and the contract was in the post today. The original plan was to have the whole plot as the people on the existing half were moving over to the next half so we could have the full one. They changed their mind and decided to keep their half till October as they had planted Strawberries and Onions and didn't want to loose them but will still be moving and we can then take over theirs come October It had been rotavated so now its stone picking and weeding. The boundary to the left needs replacing and we just asked the council to put a temporary stakes down the middle so we don't upset the half neighbours.

Hubby is only off on Saturday this week then not again till the Monday the week after so not gonna get a chance to get on very much The kids decided that we should go down and make a start today, so in the pictures you can see a small bit done. The children are 8 and 9 so are pretty good at getting on and helping but as number three will be making an appearance in less than two months its hard realising that I cant do the amount that I normally would do and want to do, so pretty chuffed with todays effort.

Pic 1: Top view of plot, but ours is the left of the middle.
Pic 2: Bottom view of plot, our half being on the right.
Pic 3: Todays better view of our half.
Pic 4/5: A before and after view of the little bit we got weeded and stone picked today, if u look carefully u can see the little bit of difference.

[mrgrower]

Well done on the plot aquisition and well done on the iminent arrival.

[Guykp57]

Welcome newbie, keep us informed how things go.

[The Masons]

Thanks, I know it's pretty boring to look at but was real excited and didn't have anyone else to tell, lol

[KevinM67]

It's looks a great plot - not too much hard work for the Hubby

See a few nettles in the first pic - I'd get the "tea" started, then you can really ingratiate yourself with your new neighbours.

[mrgrower]

Thanks, I know it's pretty boring to look at but was real excited and didn't have anyone else to tell, lol

Not at all we all like to show our plots we are like little kids i'll show you mine if you show me yours

Just difficult to work out what is your area and your neighbors as it all looks like its not been worked top left bottom right it don't do it lol stake out your area take some more pics and let us know what your looking to grow etc.

Welcome from one newbie to another

[Tripmeup]

Best of luck with it all....Baby and allotment
Ye will have a lot on with the new arrival, so maybe consider giving up the plot..

Only messing....

BUT do take your time and don't feel pressured to get lots done or let it turn into a chore....
Gardening is a delightful hobby/pastime/way to relax...[insert as appropriate] so you will be at it for a long time now the bug has bitten ye...

So take it bit by bit and enjoy it..you'll be surprised how quickly it will start coming together.You will learn as you go anyway, and will definitely decide to change things around as you go along, so consider it an enjoyable work in progress...

[KevinM67]

Forgot to mention in my last post - I would consider constructing something to provide some shade (nothing fancy like).

You can take the new baby when it arrives, and let them sleep away in their pram/buggy while you can work away to your heart's content.

Come to think of it - maybe a better idea for next year - sleep deprivation et al with a newborn.

[The Masons]

Yeah I know mrgrower, council were 'supposed' to go down and put some temporary stakes up the middle either yesterday or today but stopped on the way home from school run today and alas none have appeared yet, I'm sure the weather is to blame.

We dont like to do things by halves, lol. After doing that small bit yesterday we could see we had done some and maybe its good not having the whole plot to start with as means we can get on with this half and see the difference then start all over again

We are going to try and get a shed for shade and dare i say it shelter in the damp weather, but trying to work out logistics at the minute of getting it there is proving either costly or unpractical, ideally a greenhouse later on too as no space to have one at home except the blow away wilko jobbies.

We are into Motorsport, mountain biking and both ride motorbikes but obviously I'm not able to do either at the minute but finding it very therapeutic pottering round the plants in the garden and actually keeping veg alive is slightly surprising considering all the flowers I have tried in the past have died!

Nettle tea is a definite, just need this rain to stop as wanted to get up there tomorrow......

[Guykp57]

Never boring....always great to read and look at what other newbie do

[The Masons]

Cleared a bit more of it over the past few days and staked it out so boundary can be seen a little better. Now have the dilemma of what to do first, fence boundary with chicken wire or purchase a shed. We have found a few online second hand which is all good except we are struggling to pick them up in the car despite it being a 7 seater and hubby can get pallets from work so need to sort pretty quickish!

Are heading down tonight for another hour or so after work to clear more and maybe stick some pumpkins, rhubarb, DFB and sweetcorn in

[rustylady]

Get planting quick - before the bladdy weeds start growing again

[The Masons]

Tell me bout it, did a biggish bit Saturday and popped back last night for a bit and the blighters had started already, found some interesting holes dug which I'm guessing was rats as other plot holders had told us they might.

RL do u recommend netting the plants we do tonight regardless of them not being cabbages and what not seeing as we have no fences to keep out the bad animals?

[rustylady]

Yes, if you have netting use it. The sturdier the better. Keep an eye out on Freecycle etc for chickenwire, you can bend that into sort of cloches.

[The Masons]

Perfect, thanks for the advice.