Allotment Newbie

[Bex]

Hi Everyone

I'm just about to take over a 10m x 20m allotment and as I am a complete newbie to Veggie growing I wondered if you would be kind enough to recommend some easy to come by varieties of veg that are quite easy to grow. It must also be crops that can be grown outside from seed as I live in a flat and don't have room for trays of seedlings.

I'm quite prepared for all the digging and preparation involved (although the council are supposed to clear the allotment for me) and I've got my two children onboard, I thought this would be an activity that we could do together and benefit from.

Thanks in advance.

Bex

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Bex and welcome to the Vine! Pleased you've asked your question - there are lots of "Grapes" who have plenty of experience and advice that can help you - I'd have to refer to my books at the moment, as still a learner! Do feel free to ask any questions you've got - you will get plenty of help! Do keep everyone updated with your progress! Best wishes Dexterdog

[nick the grief]

Hi Bex,

Welcome to the Vine. You say you live in a flat, does it have a balcony? If so you could grow them out there as you won't get the problems of frost. You can still start them off indoors on a nice sunny window sill but with the addition of the patent Geoff Hamilton Grow box.

What you need is a sturdy cardboard box, cut it in half on the diagonal & line with silver foil or better still Mylar film then you put your seed trays in there.

Like this:-



As its only 10mx20m do I take it you don't have a huge family to feed? if so you can grow lots of bits rather than bits of lots if you see what I mean.

What I would do is sit down with a peice of paper & a bittle of wine & make a list of the things you like to eat then see if they are growable on your plot. If you can get hold of a small greenhouse even nheated it will make loads of difference to your growing abilities. Spring comes early & winter later so you can get an extra month or so's growing. If you can't get a greenhouse on your plot how about some coldframes - always useful for hardening stuff off etc.

As to varieties the ones I grow are as follows:-

Broad Beans - Super Aquadulce or The sutton (not so tall so handy for under cloches)
Peas -Progress No9 (early) Hurst Greenshaft (maincrop)
Carrots - Amsterdam Forcing (early) Flak or Autimn King (Maincrop)
Leeks - Musselburgh
Brussels - Wellington & Bridgette
Cabbage - Hispi, MiniCole (can both be pklanted closer for mini veg) & Robin
Potatoes - You are best asking the other guys on the plot what grows well on the site as some don't grow well in one place but will in others
Runner beans - Butler, Desiree & Sun Bright

That should give you a start & the other grapes will chip in I'm sure.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Nick aren't you clever! I've just had a look at your website! How super! DDL

[nick the grief]

Which one DDL? the bog or the lottie one?

Forgot to mention Bex,
The starters page on our lottie webisite has some down loads that may be helpful

[Shortie]

Which one DDL? the bog or the lottie one?

Did you mean 'bog' Nick? lol

[nick the grief]

yes shortie, its a place where all the crap goes

[dexterdoglancashire]

'twas the "blog" one! DDL

[nick the grief]

It's a bit on the boring side at the mo. It will be better when I've got some more on there. I can reallllllyyyyyy bore you all

[Lesley Jay]

You never bore me Nick!!

[Bex]

Wow, thanks Nick. I don't have a balcony (unfortunatly) and there are only the three of us so I haven't got a huge tribe to feed.

I have got a kitchen window sill that is wide enough for a couple of seed trays so I will give that a go. I will have a look at your website for some ideas if thats ok.

Thanks everyone!

[Silverfox]

Hi Bex,

Welcome to the vine. I totally agree with Nick - the best thing to do is sit down and right a list as to what veg you do and don’t like. The wine is the added bonus and highly recommended!!!!!

Once you have your list you need to work out where you are going to plant everything on your plot. When I was doing this I got some squared paper and planned it this way. I would recommend keeping the same type's together i.e all the Brussels, cabbages etc (in case you decide to net them).

When do the council plan to clear it? If it is soon you can get some onion sets, garlic and broad beans in now and they will be ready to plate up next summer (yum yum).

Also ask the children if there is anything they would like to grow. Radish is a great thing for them to grow because they are so quick and ready in about 4 weeks. Sweetcorn is also a good one to grow because they can see who can grow the tallest, and pumpkins to see who can grow the biggest (also give you an excuse to have a party next Halloween - more wine involved there).

Anyway good luck and keep us updated with how it goes

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Bex! Welcome to the 'vine and congrats on your new allotment! We've had our 'plot' for 10 days now, been working hard and now have a bit of structure emerging from the 8' tall bed of weeds that it was such a short time ago! I wish you as much fun and feeling of accomplishment as we are getting from ours!

[Bex]

Thanks Silverfox and Mrs Dobby, I am really looking forward to it as I haven't started as yet as I am waiting for the council, they don't rush bless em!

My youngest son is looking forward to growing some strawberries but I really only want a few plants. Pumpkins I had considered but not sweetcorn, and we don't really eat radish although I could give these away.

Thanks both for your encouragement and advice.

Bex

[balliol]

Is a bittle of wine better than a bottle???