Another newbie

[Kdenni]

Hi about 3 weeks ago I got the keys for my new allotment. Yay!! Only put my name down in March so wasn't quite expecting it yet! It's 8m x 9m and covered with weeds including bindweed and mares tail. I plot holder next door has kept it down a bit so it's not as bad as it could be its been vacant for quite a while. I plan to make some raised beds on one half. I need to put up a small shed. The other half has raspberries already so I was going to tidy that half and decide later if raised beds are wanted or not. I have started digging and it's very slow but time goes so fast when I'm there. I'm a lady in my late 40's and hubby is not into gardening so I will mostly be setting on with it myself although my hubby is going to prove handy when it come to putting the raised beds and shed in! I've been growing in my garden for the last 9 years and in pots in previous gardens before that. I would like to grow crops that need more space. Hopefully I have included some pictures of before and and and where I'm up to now! I'm back to work on two weeks then it's weekends and school holidays!

[Bigmallly]

Hello Kdenni & welcome to the Jungle, perfect time to get a plot & have it ready for next year.

[Nicos]

Hi there, and Welcome to the Vine!

Lots of friendly faces here

[veggiechicken]

Welcome to the Vine. You're doing a grand job there, Kdenni. What would you like to grow?

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Kdenni

[Cadalot]

Welcome looks like you are off to a flying start

[Jay-ell]

Hi Kdenni and welcome to the vine.

Plots looking good already. What are you going to plant in the space you've dug up? If you aren't going to plant this year you could sow a green manure to occupy the space instead of weeds, soak up nutrients to stop them washing away and either add organic matter by digging in/chop and drop mulching next year or give you organic matter to start of your compost bin.

Remember that you don't HAVE to have raised beds - there's pros and cons and loads of people get good crops without them. Me - I love them as in a big bed system the soil would end traipsed over and compressed.

[muddled]

Hello kdenni, welcome to the vine!
Plots looking good already, you're off to a great start.

Whereabouts are you?

[SusieG]

Hi and welcome, Kdenni
Nice photos, we do like photos here...!!!

You'll get tons of virtual advice, help & support on here, love ~ everyone's a great crowd ....
Plot is looking fine already - ditto to what Jay-ell said above re growing green manures overwinter...

Enjoy your planning and it'll be all go for next year...!!!

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

[happyhumph]

Welcome to the vine kdenni. The plot looks good already, well done!

[Kdenni]

Remember that you don't HAVE to have raised beds - there's pros and cons and loads of people get good crops without them. Me - I love them as in a big bed system the soil would end traipsed over and compressed.

I am going to put raised beds on half of it and the other half will be one big bed separated in two with paving slabs(stepping stones one half already has the raspberries so that will be my fruit bed. Then I can net it all in one place.the othe half for what ever maybe potatoes or one thing I've not been able to grow because of space is pumpkins and sweet corn.........I also going to get a small shed at the back. The pathways are going to be a thick layer of wood chip which there is a huge pile of for free, weed membrane under..I am going to cover as much as I can until I can put in the first beds, which I hope will be soon. I will ad pictures of my progress!

[SusieG]

Nice one You sound super-organised..!

[Jay-ell]

Definitely got a plan there. Sounds great.

[Ms-T]

Hiya and welcome,every ones nice on here