Feeling Disheartened

[Settle]

I'm new to my allotment and this is my first spring... I'm sat here in my shed thinking what am I doing.... Don't get me wrong I've planting my peas and broad beans today which I have grown from dead, my new potatoes, Leeks and onions are already in but I really don't have a clue what I'm doing ... I am the only lady at my allotment and being just 40 I seem to be looked at like I'm mad trying to do it myself but most of the time I'm loving the peace and reward of planting, digging etc I'm actually feeling healthy being out in all weathers but what to do next? I have loads growing at home like cabbage, turnip, cauliflowers and was planning to plant but no one else seems to be? I'm reading books constantly but tonight I feel I bit rubbish? Any advice of what to plant now would really help

[Nicos]

Noooo...don't feel disheartened!....you're clearly doing a fantastic job...and enjoying it too!

How about creating an asparagus bed if you can get the crowns?
You'd usually plant them MarchApril but the weather has been so rubbish that now would still be OK.

Do a bit of research on how to plant out and which variety would suit you best...maybe a couple of varieties?

You'll be the envy of the whole site in the Spring of 2018 when you are cutting handful of them!
( you shouldn't cut them in their first year- but you'll read about that )

Does that grab yr fancy?

Mmmmm....rolled in butter and salted , with a squidgy of lemon juice...mmmmm....

[muddled]

Awww Settle, that's just lack of confidence!

I'm 46 and alone on my plot too and yes, it can feel overwhelming!
But we're here and we'll help you!

So no-one else appears to be planting out?
That's up to them.
My allotment site has been deserted all winter and I have come to love the tranquility of just pottering around on my own! cabbages and caulis can go out as soon as they're hardened off and all of a sudden your plot will start to look full....but don't be rushed by what your neighbours are doing or not doing. If you wanted to be the same as everyone else, you'd be buying your veg in the supermarket!

I'm planting flowers in my plot at the minute.
Comfrey and lavender, some golden rod and bluebells. Things that take little maintenance but look lovely and draw the bees in.

My cabbages and so on will go in when I feel that I've beaten the slugs back a bit, when I think they're big enough to take a bit of hard treatment and when I need the space at home for the cucumbers...not when someone else thinks they should go out!

You're already doing better than 90% of the population just by having the inclination to grow your own....pat yourself on the back and look forward to a wonderful harvest xxx

[Settle]

Thanks guys I think sometimes it's quite overwhelming and yes I don't want to be like everyone else I'm just doing it for me!!!
Never thought about asparagus or flowers so I've now got some more reading up to do... Thanks for the encouragement

[crannman]

had my allotment 4yrs sometimes I think why all this work slugs birds white fly destroy my good work but then I see how good my spuds are doing beans a plenty rhubarb like tree trunks carrots parsnips sprouts all doing well and to top it all my 3yr old grandson helping me dig plant weed and see wiggle wiggle worms .......makes it all worth while

[Settle]

I do love it already, the peace and tranquillity, time to myself away from kids and husband (unless I need digging help) but some days it's quite daunting but yes I need to be positive and think back to how it was. I'm going to plant my cabbages and broccoli tomorrow as I've harden them for the last week and I think seeing more in there will help. Just a bit more advice do I need to add water in the holes when planting them like with cauliflower or just after planting?

[veggiechicken]

Its early days. The more you go there and potter about the more comfortable you'll feel with all the other plot holders.
Have you put your bean sticks up yet? They'll be needed soon and they'll make your plot look more lived in!

[Guest]

We all have off days and daft moments - they soon pass

In my veg patch I have fruit trees, bushes and canes that were planted out over autumn/winter
Garlic went in autumn but you can get spring garlic. Onions and shallots are in or will be by the end of tomorrow. The start of the peas and my broad beans are in.
I have directly sown some flowers, beetroot and carrot seeds.
Everything else is still waiting for a couple of weeks as I don't want the sun at the moment to lull me into a false sense of security only to get a late frost.

[Jay-ell]

Settle, sounds like you are doing great - you sound further aheadthan me.

Once everything is hardened off and planted out it will all of a sudden be WOW

Mmmmm....rolled in butter and salted , with a squidgy of lemon juice...mmmmm....

Really, I'm in jeans and a jumper

[craftymarie]

The main thing is that you are loving it If you're enjoying it then the rest is a bonus.

I'm sure we all get times where we feel a bit disheartened. Gardening can be a lot of trial and error and what works for one person might not work well for the next due to different locations, growing conditions, soil types and stuff.

I often have days where I sit back and wonder what the heck I'm doing. Even though I grew quite a bit last year in containers, I felt really nervous getting back into it this year and was lacking confidence in my ability to grow anything. Doesn't help that I'm on my own when it comes to gardening here and that's where this forum comes in useful. If we get stuck, just start a new thread with your question and help will magically appear from the good folks here

So please come on here when you're having off times and offload. There will be someone to help.

[Settle]

I'm just going to stay positive and get planting. Onwards and upwards I will soon be showing you all my vegetables and feeding my family!,,,, I know some things won't work but I will be positive and stay focused..... Thanks everyone I actually feel a lot better

[veggiechicken]

Have we seen any photos of your plot yet?
If not, take a few, post them on http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...light=calendar and a month later, take some more.
You'll be amazed how much you achieve and the satisfaction it will give you when you look back over the year.

[SusieG]

You're doing just great, girl!
Don't worry what everyone else is doing, just do what you want and when! It's all baby steps, a bit at a time ...
Not sure about watering cabbages in - think they need to be pretty firmed in so they don't rock. Also have you got/made any little collars to put round the stems of your cabbages? (To stop the cabbage predators from laying eggs and wrecking the roots ...)
Have fun

[mothhawk]

...do I need to add water in the holes when planting them like with cauliflower or just after planting?

I don't know what everyone else does, but whenever I plant out ANYTHING I always water the hole first ('cos that's the way it's always been done in our family).
My thought is that the water in the bottom of the hole soaks down, and the roots of the plant then reach down towards it, rather than staying near the surface. Then water the plant in, to settle the soil around it too.

[4390evans]

Aw hun, we all feel like that sometimes. Im no great gardener and torture these poor souls on here with all my questions but most of us are just plodding along. If we get stuck we ask the more experienced gardeners, all of us are learning, always.
We all put our stuff out at different times. I put my seedlings out on monday but others will leave it time the end of may. Everyone is different.