Planting plan

[kieron]

Hi,

Just found this site, it's fantastic.

We have just moved to a cottage in south Dorset with 2 acres. Our long term aim is to be as self sufficient as possible.

As i am new to growing (apart from tomatoes, chillies & herbs) I thought that it would be good to start with an allotment sized patch and grow on that, say 8-12 beds 1.5mx5m.

Has anyone got a plan that i could use or point me in the direction of some good reading?

many thanks
Cheers

[MaureenHall]

Welcome to the vine kieron. I'm afraid I'm the "stick it in and see what happens" brigade, so can't really offer you much help, though no doubt someone else will be along to answer your questions

Good luck

[BrideXIII]

also a stickit in n see gal........ but welcome, and someone who knows what they are talking about will be along soon

[chicken slave]

How lucky are you with all that land?????
I'm a bit more organised when it comes to my veg growing. I try to plant my beds according to families (brassicas etc) this makes it easier to rotate my crops next season. Must admit that my beds don't lie dormant for long (maybe a couple of weeks) In the winter I grow what I can under fleece and in the greenhouse or behind mesh at least, to keep the chooks of my veg (they have there own veg). I have just put new raised beds in and have left the corner posts about 5' high, this is to save me having to try and use canes to net my veg in the summer against pests. If you are going to grow organically this maybe a consideration as it is much easier than trying to construct something to fit. I also try and plan so that my beans and peas act as a screen to stop other plants being damaged by the wind. I grow my carrots and parsnips in containers as this seems to help with the dreaded carrotfly as they fly low to the ground and don't get high enough to ruin my crops in the containers.
As to a plan, the only thing I plan is what I would like on the menu at different times of year and then plant the seeds to suit. Over time I have learnt what I like the taste of so I grow that variety so buy the seeds in the winter to see me through.
I think some 'famous' people make gardening and growing veg sound really difficult, but it isn't do what you feel is right, and use the seasons on the seed packets as a guide and improvise you get much more enjoyment that way.
GOOD LUCK !!! AND ENJOY!!!!!

[Snadger]

8 to 12 beds is simple!

Four crop rotation system!

Legumes, brassicas,tatties and everything else!

Either two beds of each with eight beds in total or three beds of each with twelve beds. Rotate by crop in order given, not by year!

Sorted!

[Two_Sheds]

I thought that it would be good to start with ... 8-12 beds 1.5mx5m.

Hi, welcome welcome.
Raised beds aren't meant to be walked on. Therefore, you need to be able to reach the middle from the sides. Therefore, it should only be as wide as twice the length of your arm - about 4 ft.

I like Andi Clevely's Allotment books, if you're looking for a recommendation. Also you must have Dr Hessayon's Veg Expert. Both from amazon, or your library.

[Nes]

I agree with Snager on the rotation plan. Am in the process of dividing my allotment into 8 beds for annual veg, with extra space for fruit (blackberries, rasps and straws) and globe artichokes for a bit of fun. Remember to leave room for at least one (preferably two) compost heap(s) in a convenient place!
Tomatoes often rotate with potatoes cause are in the same family, though others prefer to keep them separate in an attempt to foil the dreaded blight...
My favourite and well thumbed book is Grow your own vegetables by Joy Larcom, also available at amazon.

[kieron]

hi,
Thanks for the help.
It a frosty fresh morning so it's time to get digging and mark out the beds.
I think that netting is going to be very important as there are hundreds of deer and even more squrriels.
I would like to keep a record of what has been planted in each bed. Has any one used an excel file or simular? If so could I be cheeky and have a look?
Cheers

[SlugLobber]

Protect against bunnies, too, so bury the edge of your netting. In the Dobies catalogue, they've got planting charts, so you could make a plan using that, to start with. Welcome to the Vine!

ETA: I used this plan, this year. It's actually better than the Dobies one, as it takes into account different sowing conditions (heated/covered...).

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...art_12793.html

[djhs196]

Here's an old school plan (this is the centre page - there's a page before and after):

Dig For Victory WWII layout of Allotment or Victory Garden

Plenty of information on that sheet and the next - matrix spacing, intercropping, crop rotation, successional and follow on crops.

[Nicola.P]

Here's an old school plan (this is the centre page - there's a page before and after):

Dig For Victory WWII layout of Allotment or Victory Garden

Plenty of information on that sheet and the next - matrix spacing, intercropping, crop rotation, successional and follow on crops.

Thanks for that link, I like the look of all the monthly leaflets as well. Very handy for a newbie like me, am tempted to print them all off to use as a guide.

[Rodley]

Here's an old school plan (this is the centre page - there's a page before and after):

Dig For Victory WWII layout of Allotment or Victory Garden

Plenty of information on that sheet and the next - matrix spacing, intercropping, crop rotation, successional and follow on crops.

What a great link! Enjoyed reading it - useful as well. Thanks

[Jenegade]

Very useful plan! I like the monthly leaflets too!

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Kieron. Snadger has given you good rotation advice there. I would stick with that. And as Two Sheds says, if you are going for raised beds, don't be tempted to make them more than 4 foot wide or it defeats the object of the exercise - never to walk on them so you don't have to dig again.
I note you say you have the deer, and 2 acres.
Jings, I don't want to be too pessimistic here but the deer are bad news. They eat everything and what they don't eat they trample over. I had them in my last garden (an acre). I tried everything but in the end we had to fence them out. Costly business.
I would suggest you decide what part of your 2 acres you want to grow in and fence it. Sounds daunting but the good news is it doesn't have to be a big, expensive fence. Chicken wire will do. They don't push against fences like bullocks. They can jump 8 feet. I've seen them do it. But they won't jump that height to get in (in a panic they will to get out) and especially if they don't have clear sight of where they will be landing.
Sorry for the long post, but it might be easier and less expensive for you if you deal with the fencing business firest.
Look forward to hearing how you get on. Good luck and happy growing.