Newbie - sort of

[balliol]

I say sort of we have had the allotment now for about 2months so I think we are probably still green but toes getting wet gradually!

we inherted some very sad looking cabbage and leeks that were drowning in weeds poor things but weve cleared/dug/dug/dug/dug/dug and nurtured them back to life, we are even planning on eating one of the cabbages this weekend as all newbies we were incredibly keen to get some stuff in to call our very own and have been eating rocket till it comes out of our ears I just love it, weve done onions all looking good and parsnips that we thought we would suck it and see as we really wanted something on the christmas table from the allotment, about 10 have germinated so fingers crossed, weve also done garlic but I think we were a bit previous and stupidly planted a supermarket one, so far one has come up, ive been thinking of pulling the rest up and putting in proper ones what do you thing?? spring onions havent started to show yet its been about 3 weeks, should I give up on those.

Im so jelous of all the surrounding plots as they have been harvesting all manner of things and so I cant wait until that is us next year.

We are just about to plant out peas this weekend as they have all germinated nicely, were also filling a lovely trench up with household peelings etc in readiness for runner beans.

I just wanted people to know ...im excited.... I never thought I could get so enthusiastic about something but heck I can!

love reading all the posts.

[clarelouise4]

Hi
I'm a newbie too - I've had my allotment for 5 weeks but it hadn't been touched for about 2 and a half years so its a mess to say the least. Having said that I have had loads of blackberries from it and there is nothing like eating your own produce.

I'm deparately trying to clear an area big enough to get my garlic in and some japanese onions - its amazing how slowly weeds take to clear when you want to get some seeds in.

The other allotment holders are lovely though and just lately I have been coming home with all sorts of goodies and they all taste fantastic.

Good luck with your allotment and the germinating !
Clare

[Birdie Wife]

Hello to you both, and welcome to the Vine! You'll find all sorts on here, plety of newcomers, those who have a little experience and then there's Nick the Grief. He's in a category all to himself ! This is the perfect time to be getting an allotment, you can spend the whole autumn and winter getting the ground good and ready, repairing sheds, poring over seed catalogues and planning rotations. So don't be disheartened, it'll just be a few more months and you'll be harvesting your first produce and then you'll know why you put in so many hours of hard work! Also, those other people on the allotment are probably one of your best resources - they can tell you what works in your area, what's not worth bothering with and when to plant. Good luck with it all!

[nick the grief]

...........and then there's Nick the Grief. He's in a category all to himself ..............!

I think thats a compliment, Birdie

Yep welcome both. It's very easy to get carried away & overdo it with enthusiasm (I know I did & ended up with a trapped nerve for 12 weeks ) still that is what God invented the teapot for to force you to take a rest & think about the job.

You are probably unaware of the 11th commandment that was edited out of the King James version of the Bible

" Thou shallt not let the pot go cold nor leave it empty for too long else a plague of caterpillars shall be visited upon your brussels"

I drank more tea this year & hey presto - fewer caterpillars

Any questions you think of ask - don't worry if you think there stupid ..... we'll just take the mickkey before we answer them

[Birdie Wife]

I think thats a compliment, Birdie

And that's exactly how I meant it, Nick !

I heartily agree with taking it easy too, I garden because I enjoy it and if it becomes a chore, then what's the point? Sometimes it's better to step back and see the bigger picture. Smell the roses!

[balliol]

Thanks for welcome guys n gals, I love this site and will ask questions as I think of them.

Ate a cabbage this weekend boy it was good, kids didnt think so though but I made them eat a little as it was "our produce"

Had to shelter in shed a couple of times when the rain pelted down but loved being on the plot even so, just thinkI could have been doing something really boring instead like reading the paper who needs all that doom and gloom its a fantastic world out there!

[multiveg]

Sheds are a must. In the erm other magazine, there was an article about sheds a while back - in one allotment shed is a "kitchen" and the people eat Sunday dinner/lunch down on their plot!

[SueA]

Hi Balliol, get the kids to grow their own cabbages etc. then they may be even keener to try them or something new they wouldn't normally eat. Must admit I'm not a big cabbage eater but when I've grown them myself I think they're lovely!

[bramble]

Hi Balloil, i usually mash some finely chopped cabbage with some mashed potato, form into pancakes, dip in beaten egg and lightly fry. Kids seem to like these. Give it a try and good luck.