Digging?

[Minty]

Welcome Capability not. I myself was in the same position as yourself 8 months ago, very little knowledge of growing but with a magic memory of collecting veg as i child. It felt at that age(and now) like treasure hunting. My advice if i may is keep hold of that fantastic childhood memory and everything will slip in to place. Loose that magic memory and although you may succeed you probably will not enjoy as much as you should.
I agree this forum is amazingly helpful and so sincere.
So rid yourself of what seems to be a worry of what you do not know because without knowing it you have had the best start imaginable in that you have a lottie that is not overgrown and you have tapped in to a wealth of knowledge by joining this forum.
I feel that "Capability Could" would maybe suit you better, but HEY whats in a name. Minty

[Seahorse]

Hello and welcome CN. I have sent you a PM re a spare book I have

[Snadger]

I too use a four year rotation! I treat the four areas differently each year! The problem with this is that it works on the tennet that your family enjoy eating equal amounts of tatties,brassicas,legumes and roots (in my case).......... Not so, in my family!

I think you have to draw up a list of what you and your family like to eat and try and plan your crops accordingly. Not easy I know, and I personally seldom get it right, but it's all part of the enjoyment of gardening!

Don't forget soft and hard fruit and a few cut flowers as well though!

[Capability Not]

Buggery .......

Thanks for all the advice and help guys. I was going to take some photo's of the plot so I could share it with you all but the weather down here is appalling!!!! Yesterday hail and lightening, today its just pi...... raining very heavily

Best laid plans I suppose. Anyway, so far I have decided on a section for herbs (basil, rosemary, bay, chives etc) and then salad (endive), spring onions, onions and garlic. In another bed I think I would like beetroot, leeks, carrots etc. Havent made up my mind for beds 3 and 4 yet but have to say this is all very exciting. My partner is mightily impressed but has been taking the michael out of me for setting everything down on graph paper!!!

I think I just heard thunder .............

[roitelet]

Welcome to the Vine Capability Not.

Best of luck with the allotment, just one thing. Don't rush to do all the digging at once. Better that you get half the ground into production the first year with the soil well prepared that try to do the whole thing at once.

Another thing, where are you in the country?

[Capability Not]

Welcome to the Vine Capability Not.

Best of luck with the allotment, just one thing. Don't rush to do all the digging at once. Better that you get half the ground into production the first year with the soil well prepared that try to do the whole thing at once.

Another thing, where are you in the country?

Sunny Wales!!! Not. Cardiff in fact. The weather down here is sooo bad at the moment. The plot is about 100 square metres(4 perch I'm told).

[seasprout]

Howdy

Hello Capability Not.

Welcome to the Vine, well done on getting your allotment. And you will not look like a numpty in front of fellow allotmenteers. (Unless you turn up in a tutu.)


Where about in the country are you. Stick it in your profile, it helps when people offer advice.

I usually tout this list for new plotters.

Do some research, get down the library and look for these books..

How to Plant your allotment by Caroline Foley
Your Organic Allotment Pauling Pears
The Allotment Handbook by Andi Cleavely
Allotment Gardening : An Organic Guide for Beginners By Susan Berger
Grow Your Own Veg by Carole Klein (rhs)
The Half Hour Allotment: Lia Leendertz (rhs)
All are also available from Amazon,

you can get the Carol Klein book for £4.99 from the book people https://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/weba...searchTerm=veg

The RRP is £16.99

Its not a book club where you have to buy loads, its just a shop. Buy one or many books up to you. Lots of people here got a cheap copy when it came out, i think we sold out the shop for a while.

RE: my book list, i got many of the books from the library for a good nose through before deciding which to buy.

RE: The Hessayon books, i am lead to believe they are all being updated next year as much of the info relating the chemicals is now out of date, as many sprays are banned. So you might want to hold off purchasing a copy till they are altered.


You should also get yourself the latest copy of GYO Magazine, or if you subscribe you can get the Andi Cleavely book free. (which is considered the best book for if you can only get one.)
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/subscribe.php

Happy growing.

[seasprout]

The plot is about 100 square metres.

Underwater..?

[Capability Not]

Underwater..?

If it carries on like this I imagine I will need an aqualung to do any digging!!!

[bubblewrap]

If it carries on like this I imagine I will need an aqualung to do any digging!!!

Have this one on me
Google Image Result for http://remus.rutgers.edu/JethroTull/Photos/aqualung2.jpg

[HeyWayne]

Welcome aboard the good ship Grapevine Capability - like Minty I've been at this less than a year, but I've already learnt a great deal. Some from the books (basics), some from my neighbours (local knowledge), but mostly a lot of hints and tips from this here lot on t'grapevine - a mix of experience, age, humour (very helpful at times when things don't seem to be going well).

I wouldn't worry about doing things "wrong", in my experience as long as you're doing something others will be happy to provide a helping hand by way of advice or guidance. When I started out I had great plans of what I was going to do, and if I'm honest I haven't really done anything to plan thus far - I tend to find myself "winging it" which I find gives me more enjoyment.

You'll find out what works for you, how much you can do at any one time, what plants work etc etc etc.

Just make sure you sit back evry now and then, take stock and above all enjoy it.

[Rockhag]

You should also get yourself the latest copy of GYO Magazine, or if you subscribe you can get the Andi Cleavely book free. (which is considered the best book for if you can only get one.)
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/subscribe.php

Happy growing.

I've went and subscribed just for that book. I got it out of the library and it's brilliant.

[murray]

changing the subject a bit. Aqualung!! My first ever album! Have'nt thought about it in years! Thanks bubblewrap.

[Capability Not]

Do you remember what the music was used to adverise though Murray?????

[Capability Not]

Welcome aboard the good ship Grapevine Capability - like Minty I've been at this less than a year, but I've already learnt a great deal. Some from the books (basics), some from my neighbours (local knowledge), but mostly a lot of hints and tips from this here lot on t'grapevine - a mix of experience, age, humour (very helpful at times when things don't seem to be going well).

I wouldn't worry about doing things "wrong", in my experience as long as you're doing something others will be happy to provide a helping hand by way of advice or guidance. When I started out I had great plans of what I was going to do, and if I'm honest I haven't really done anything to plan thus far - I tend to find myself "winging it" which I find gives me more enjoyment.

You'll find out what works for you, how much you can do at any one time, what plants work etc etc etc.

Just make sure you sit back evry now and then, take stock and above all enjoy it.

Cheers HW,

I'm just keen to crack on to be honest. If the weather hadnt been so GDA this weekend then I would have been upto my elbows in muck and manure!! Nevermind, will endeavour to hit it this w/end and maybe post some pictures of my efforts if anyones interested.

CN