Snadgers Penultimate Plot

[Snadger]

Thought I would start a new thread as this allotment plot will be may last before I am laid to rest in my ultimate plot.
There is a rather powsh looking newly created Cemeetary just across the road from my allotment site so I won't have to move far.
There are bus stops going in both directions which go within a couple of hundred yards of my retirement cottage so in November 2019 I shall be taking full advantage of my OAP bus pass. Until then I'l just have to walk to the plot or take the car. Another option is my mountain bike when I get it fixed up, but for the time being I will stick with the other means of transport.

Just to refresh your memory and mine this was what my plot was like when I got it in April.

[veggiechicken]

Looking forward to seeing what twist you'll put on this one

[Snadger]

This was the plot a few weeks later after I had strimmed it down.



I then planted some of the beds up with Sweetcorn, Yacon, Leeks, Pumpkin, Courgettes and Butternut Squash.

The Courgettes, Yacon and sweet corn have performed really well. I have also delivered a 1000 litre IBC which I have yet to connect to the greenhouse and shed runoff.

Yesterday I attended a general meeting to get a feel for the site and it was much better attended than any of my previous site meetings.

Inspired, I thought I would spend a couple of hours at the plot digging to find out what I had let myself in for. I only spent one hour digging but I was impressed with what I have taken on and how much could be achieved in an hour. Even though I eventually plan to adopt a no- dig regime it was nice to know I still haven't lost my mojo.
This is as far as I got.

[Jay-ell]

Ha - those aren't photos of your plot. You ALWAYS plant far too many potatoes.

[Snadger]

As you will see from the two photos on the previous post it is like dealing with two plots. One side is a wonderful loam, but there is a downside which I will discuss shortly, and the other side is a stony clay.

I don't mind this as it gives me options for trying different crops in different soil conditions.

As I said earlier one side had a good spade depth of loam rich in organic matter. Under neath it though is a layer of porous membrane as can be seen in the photo below.



Underneath the membrane are rocks. There are loads of reasons why this could be there and for the time being I intend leaving it.
Possible reasons for its inclusion could be:-

• A drainage layer of stones below an area prone to flooding?
• A 'Blinding' layer to try and stop perennial weeds growing i.e Mares tale or thistles/Docks?
• A paved area in the past, but I doubt it as it appears to cover the whole bed.
• Possibly a way to get rid of rocks from a stony topsoil?

Who knows? The only thing it would stop me doing is growing really long root vegetables, so for the time being its staying.

I have a feeling that the 'Clay' type soil was imported to half the plot, but for what reason I have no idea. The soil level is a bit higher on this side so that would tie in with addition of soil. If I really wanted to know the answer i could dig a deep hole on this side of the plot and have a look at the soil profile. For the time being, and unless i encounter problems I will leave well alone.
I must admit it would be interesting to test the soil pH on each side to see if therei s much difference?
Anyway, that will do for now, steady away and I will probably have another digging session next week at some time. Then its all systems go to get the area planted up with winter veg.
TTFN and I will return with a thrilling installment at a later date.

[Snadger]

Ha - those aren't photos of your plot. You ALWAYS plant far too many potatoes.

Can't have enough spuds growing Jay-ell, especially when you are on a carb free diet!

[Snadger]

Looking forward to seeing what twist you'll put on this one

Dunno yet, maybe I'll just stick with the boring and traditional!

[Jay-ell]

That'll be wierd

[bario1]

Has whoever inherited your last plot kept your layout with the keyhole beds etc?

[lottie dolly]

looking good Snadger

[Jay-ell]

Has whoever inherited your last plot kept your layout with the keyhole beds etc?

He's still got that one. He hasn't harvested all the potatoes yet.

[Snadger]

He's still got that one. He hasn't harvested all the potatoes yet.

......or onions, or much else for that matter. I may even keep the scrapheap for another year or so!

[Snadger]

Spent a couple of hours wielding a spade yesterday and was pleased to see there is still life left in the old dog yet.

That's half the plot dug over in a couple of 2 hour sessions. A couple of more sessions should see the rest of the plot dug over hopefully.

Sweetcorn is doing well.


Yacon aint too bad either judging by the tops

[Snadger]

What has happened with my supposed monster pumpkins?

I have two or three of these green things about the size of a grapefruit, they look more like squashes to me!
How the heck can I enter these in a giant pumpkin competition?

The perils of buying seed from eBay!

[Jay-ell]

Looking good