More vouchers up for grabs

[hawthorns]

to get started invest in a water butt and composter. you will save on your water bill and making your own compost is very rewarding and cost saving.

[Hans Mum]

enjoy it.... .youre not keeping up with the jones's, its fun and once youve got your basics sorted really cheap my annual fee is less than a months gym fee and you get fresh air and wildlife thrown in for free

[Two_Sheds]

Gardening wisdom is learned from experience, you can't crack it first time - there are too many variables.
I'd recommend reading about your subject, whether that be organic/composting/sowing/weeding etc: I have learned so much from reading "how to", then trying it, then re-reading when things go wrong (like planting out too early, too deep). But then I am an avid reader; I know some people prefer to "do" than to "read".

[Two_Sheds]

Also, you need to make your allotment comfortable for when you can't garden, due to a storm or whatever. I got a good shed, with a few gardening books in it, and some drinks and snacks, a radio, binoculars (for birdwatching!). I can hang on till the rain passes, instead of giving up and going home.

[hawthorns]

until last year i had no interest in gardening, but that changed when we built our own house. originally our back garden was turfed i then decided to dig a small plot over for growing veg. we missed most of the sowing season but what we did manage to grow was a success. it became very addictive so we bought a composter and got a free one through the freecycle website, we also purchased 3 waterbutts.
as my interest grew in gardening so did the need more room to grow in, so over christmas i built 3 raised beds measuring 7ft by 4ft by using scaffold planks, we have also incorporated a herb garden into the backgarden which my partner is looking after along with her flower border.

we have become very green in our outlook by recycling used household items such as loo rolls to sow seeds into, plastic juice bottles for mini cloches. in the garden we recycled fallen leaves to make leaf mould for mulch. its endless what you can recycle or make. just recently i have constructed a cold frame out of clear plastic and 2" by 1" batten.

above all we have noticed a much better taste to what we are growing and are now going to save on growing our own veg along with producing our own compost and saving on our water bills, all in the name of gardening.

dont be afraid to experiment its fun to do. along with getting yourself out in the fresh air.

NOW I CANT WAIT FOR THE SPRING

[pigletwillie]

1) Dont be afraid to ask others if you are not sure.
2) Grow crops that are either

expensive to buy

difficult to buy

Just dont taste the same fresh

3) Only grow what you like.
4) Try for succession of crops, sow little and often.
5 Compost as much as you can, compost bins are the engine room of the allotment.
6) Every minute spent preparing the plot in winter is worth 10 in spring.
7) Be pragmatic about your organic dreams to start with. Its sometimes better to get a plot in shape and ready to roll than lose the battle trying to keep on top, especially if you are short on time.
8) Never spray against insects, you will kill the good guys too, companion plant and encourage lacewings and ladybirds.
9) Do fit guttering and a water butt to your shed.
10) Dig with a border or ladies spade rather than a standard size one. You will dig more and feel less tired.
11) Find a source of manure and cultivate that contact. You can never have enough.
12) One hour a week spent on the plot is better than 6 hours every two months.
13) Visit the grapevine, especially the "what I did today" thread to see what other people are up to.
14) If you have an experienced grapevine member nearby, try and get to see their plot, you will come away with a wheelbarrow full of ideas and tips.
15) You will have success and failure, but always try to enjoy your allotment.

[JennieAtkinson]

I would add that it is really important to think about WHERE you are growing. Being this far north it should occur to me all the time, but I still get swayed by the rest of you - sowing in Feburary (I sow in April) and planting out in April (I plant out in June).

Joking aside, it really is important to decide what you want to grow and whether it will actually grow in
a) the soil you have (acid or alkaline) or
b) the climate you have

Sometimes it is just not possible to grow what you want to grow (olives )

............ but if you CAN grow something just look at the different possibilities (I grow about six different types of cabbage ).

Sometimes you just have to wait (I get some really good compost in my bins after two years).

[jeannine]

Also, you need to make your allotment comfortable for when you can't garden, due to a storm or whatever. I got a good shed, with a few gardening books in it, and some drinks and snacks, a radio, binoculars (for birdwatching!). I can hang on till the rain passes, instead of giving up and going home.

Hey, I completely agree, it makes such a difference to have a flask of tea and a tin of chocolate biscuits in the shed, it means you have a lovely time on the allotment whatever the weather. I'm not sure I'm up to your standard though Twosheds, your shed sounds more comfy than my house!!!

[pigletwillie]

Were fortunate Jeanine in that we have two sheds, one is a tool shed and the other has two chairs, an upholstered bench from a 1950's bus, tins of naughtiness (snacks) and a kettle, frying and sauce pans and a few staples such as soup and beans.

Two sheds is bang on with having somewhere to rest, even if its just for a cup of tea and a "planning" session.

[Shortie]

Were fortunate Jeanine in that we have two sheds, one is a tool shed and the other has two chairs, an upholstered bench from a 1950's bus, tins of naughtiness (snacks) and a kettle, frying and sauce pans and a few staples such as soup and beans.

We have a camping stove thingy for our lottie, to make the essential bacon sarnies... But I like the idea of a "tin of naughtiness"

[pigletwillie]

A tin of naughtiness is essential Shortie, you have to feed the "inner man" or woman on a regular basis to keep the old energy levels up whilst digging or planning or planting or whatever.

[SarzWix]

Totally agree with TwoSheds about getting your shed set up - if your shed feels like a refuge, you're going to feel more attached to the allotment as a whole. I have mine set up with chairs, stove, kettle, hot drinks supplies and bottles of tap water from home. If I'm going to be there for a few hours I bring milk in a flask, if it's just my routine morning 'stop-by' I have a jar of instant hot chocolate that does the trick Wandering round with a brew & a hoe every morning helps to keep on top of the weeds too

[jeannine]

Thanks for all your help everyone - there are some storming ideas on here!!!