Weather , weather, weather.

[FenBuff]

Hi all
I popped up the allotment today with the little one daughter . And we started digging the heavens opened every time this week we got up there it just rained and rained


I need to get up there and start plotting things

[Mikey]

I wouldn't bother digging at the moment FenBuff, you'll only end up compacting the soil wait for it to stop raining and then go and take a few snaps and take some measurements. Planning is good, but sometimes trying to get a head start can actually be a step backwards. Nature has a way of telling us when to get busy, its when the weeds start to grow. Planting too early when the soil isn't warm enough can be detrimental. we can cheat the weather by covering the soil to warm it up or making a hot bed, but the bulk of your lot should be waiting patiently for spring.

[FenBuff]

Ok sounds good ... Yeah just suppose I'll have to wait for this stupid rain to stop lol...
Cheers mikey

[arpoet]

Don't have a lottie any more, but have a large veg garden at home. Went out this morning... cold and dry, dug some (f)artichokes for dinner, then spread rotted hos muck on my top bed. Yes, its very wet underfoot, but I have 18inch strips carpet that I roll down on the soil so as not damage the soil. It works for me.

[FenBuff]

Yeah I need some carpet wish someone live nearer to me could give me a hand I'm there spare time

[Hazel at the Hill]

Yeah I need some carpet wish someone live nearer to me could give me a hand I'm there spare time

You might not be allowed carpet on an allotment site anyway, FenBuff (it's banned in loads of areas as it may leach chemicals into the soil; and if perennial weeds are allowed to grow through it, it's a right bugger to get rid of).

I know that you are raring to go, but you'd do better sitting on your hands and waiting till the weather's more conducive to growing.

[rustylady]

Whereabouts in the Southwest are you Fenbuff? I used to live near Plymouth and a lot of the soil down that way is clay.

Much better to stay off it when it's wet.

[FenBuff]

I live in yeovil rusty lady yeah I know .. But the chap who is there now has carpet on this allotment there is no rules or regs ... Luke

[Mikey]

If you are keen to get busy, there are things you can be doing now.

Do you have a greenhouse FenBuff?

I'm starting off a variety of seeds at the moment, and I've decided to see if I can get a jump on the potatoes this year by planting some in trugs in the greenhouse. I've put a good foot of soil in them and covered this with plastic to see if I can heat it up over the next couple of weeks. I'm trying two different methods the first is in a stand alone trug the second is a double trug with some spare space blanket insulation to see if I can get it warmer quicker.

I like to experiment.

[FenBuff]

Hi mikey

No I haven't got a green house but I've put some tomato seeds in moneymakers and some basil
Just to see if they will grow.. They are In my window sill so hopefully touch wood

[Mikey]

Hi mikey

No I haven't got a green house but I've put some tomato seeds in moneymakers and some basil
Just to see if they will grow.. They are In my window sill so hopefully touch wood

Moneymakers are best grown under cover, they are more prone to blight if grown outdoors. If you are growing under cover and you are able try and get hold of some sungold tomato seeds they are a firm favourite of many here.

[FenBuff]

Ok thank for that great advice ... What do you do with all your veg you grow? Sale ?

[Mikey]

Selling is about the only thing I don't do.

I eat as much of it as possible when fresh, give it away to neighbours and friends if I have a glut and store some roots veg for leaner periods (carrots, beetroot, potatoes and onions are all stored and easily accessible at the moment. I still have in the ground swedes, kale, purple sprouting, leeks and brussel sprouts. I make chutneys, jams and wines, and dry or freeze fresh herbs and wild mushrooms. I also compost some that go over too quickly or become too tough to be worthwhile. I save seed for next year where possible and I'm always looking for new ways to increase yields, speed up growth, cheat nature, diversify selection and save time.

There's more knowledge and experience on this forum than you could ever gain from a book, though the collective will point you towards some good books too.

Good luck with the coming year.

[FenBuff]

Thank you very much mikey how long have you had your plot?
Been in the game for long?

[Mikey]

Not as long as most here FenBuff, I took on my plot about 7 or 8 maybe 9 years ago, not really sure to be honest. Prior to that I grew veg in my previous house for 6 years and had pots and whatnot prior to that.

When I was a 'youngun' in college I used to spend my Easter holiday digging at the allotments back home which my father used to organise for me. I'd single dig and rake over about 4 to 5 plots during the holiday roughly 1200 to 1500 square metres for the more senior gardeners on the site. It was very much a symbiotic relationship, I dug, they paid me in kind later with produce, at the time I always felt they were overly generous though as I get older its a task I would happily give to another these days!!

I'm not sure about you, but my enjoyment has changed as I age. I used to enjoy the graft and the bounty, these days I also enjoy the kinship of others and the rhythm of the seasons.

What about you, what drew you to gardening?