Helppppp!

[Lumpy]

OK so.....
Mr Lump does volunteer gardening for some landed aristocrats who have a small stately home near us.
I was speaking to the head gardener today about veggie this and veggie that and told him that we have teeny weeny raised beds and an enormous array of planters, buckets, tyres etc.
So he says 'Oh if you want an allotment you can have this'

'This' turns out to be 4 20x10 beds, 4 10x10 beds 2 6x3 beds - a polytunnel (needs cleaning but has an under soil irrigation system in place) about 20x14,
a fruit cage (needs some TLC) 14x12 - slabbed all around the beds that need some quite light weeding. A water tap with a 100ft hose on it, 6 old fashioned tall pottery bell jars (rhubarb thingies), rolls of black plastic, clear plastic cloches.
Its messy and needs quite a bit of work to clear the paths, deal with the weeds, get the beds ready and do some repairs but.....
We can use it for free as long as we give the Hall a third.

So where do we start?

[veggiechicken]

What a fantastic opportunity, Lumpy, but probably a bit overwhelming to start.
Mr Lump obviously likes gardening and I know you have plenty of seeds, so you're on to a winner.
Check out what's already there - fruit bushes, rhubarb, strawberries maybe.
Do a rough plan of the beds and make a list of what you'd like to grow. Then come back and we'll talk you through it

[Martin H]

What a great problem to have!

I suggest clearing beds and paths and doing whatever repairs are essential. While you're doing that you'll get ideas...

Have fun!

[Lumpy]

The only thing the Hall have asked for is spuds, carrots, sweetcorn and runners. There is alot of comfrey, a wild blackberry, and a few bits and pieces that look like they were planted a couple of years ago, seeded and then re grew. I am trying to blag a camera off the daughter so .....

[WendyC]

Wow! What an opportunity. Would it be worth having something in writing, hate for you to put loads of work in and it to backfire on you? Why not just scale up what you were planning on growing at home this year? Cover any beds you aren't using until you are ready. Depending on how much clearing needs doing but now is a good time to take on a plot as you've got a couple of months before the growing season gets into full swing.

[mothhawk]

Wow! What a great challenge! I'm sure you and Mr L will rise to it Lumpy

[Nicos]

What a fantastic opportunity!

My advice?...enjoy!

Oh and maybe get a bottle or two of Radox in

[noviceveggrower]

Wow fantastic. And that's all the Hall wants back not bad really. I would say clear it and also go down with a piece of paper to map it out. Amazing what you can forget about in the excitement.
Congrats again.

[sparrow100]

We can use it for free as long as we give the Hall a third.

So where do we start?

By grabbing it with both hands! What a fab opportunity. A third of your produce is a fair amount though - would work out at about £200-250.00 going by my half plot's harvests and the equivalent cost in the shops.

[lottie dolly]

You very lucky pair,well done,will any kind off spud do,or have they asked for anything particular,i feel your exitement,as others have said,maybe something in writing for your security,and a rough sketch of what is what,and where,wishing you both all the best good luck,bet when you get started,you not want to bother growing at home,

[Lumpy]

We have an appointment with the estate manager at 1pm on Monday to find out all the in's and out's. I asked Graham if the L & L wanted particular varieties etc and he said no but over the phone is difficult. So on Monday I am going equipped with pen, paper, laptop (if I can't blag daughter's camera), tape measure etc.
The Hall is preety easy going, Mr Lump had been volunteering (the only one) for about 7 months and at Christmas they gave him a card with a £50 M&S voucher in it.

[Bigmallly]

Well done Lumpy. I'm so pleased for you both. This could just be the thing that Mr L needs. Good luck.

[muddled]

That's karma if ever I heard it!

Mr L has worked for nothing out of the goodness of his heart....now he's getting his just desserts.
Perfect.

If they let you I'd get some chickens in that fruit cage to clean it for you on nice days and bung 'em in the polytunnel on rainy days. You'll be amazed at how quick and thorough they will be at weed and slug egg removal

[Lumpy]

Actually (I will get photo's on Monday) right next to the plot is a massive fenced area with Lady H's chickens in there.
Excited - daunted - confused - etc etc.

[alldigging]

Wow! Wow! Wow!
You must borrow a camera off someone though.
Exciting!