What the allotment has taught me this year.

[greenishfing]

I do try to live and learn.

So what have I learned this year?

1: Eight courgette plants are far too many for us and our extended family.

2: Likewise 5 Cucumber plants.

3: Probably other things I can't remember at the moment.

What has everyone else learned?

[Ovce domácí]

Found the same with courgettes last year, it was like Bubba out of Forest Gump with courgettes instead of shrimp, had the same a couple of years before that with pumpkins.

This year I found:

- Plant my tomato seedlings earlier(although I had a bad bout of flu in spring which laid me low for a month and our local version of Real Seeds had sold out)

- Plant leeks in bigger tubs than yoghurt pots

[Penellype]

Good idea.

I have learned a lot, most of which I have probably forgotten!

1. 8 courgette plants are far too many for 1 person!

2. Don't assume that pests you've never had before won't turn up and eat your veg even if you take precautions. Keep an eye on things and if you notice something going yellow or mottled, don't assume its just hot or hungry.

3. Carrots sown thinly and kept watered are much better than carrots sown thickly and allowed to dry out.

4. Don't forget the copper rings when planting out broccoli. I've had such success with these (copper tape round rings of plastic bottle fitted round the stems) that I completely forgot that slugs actually like broccoli seedlings, and omitted to fit them. Result - badly chewed broccoli plants Works with anything with a longish stem, like cucumbers, cabbages etc. - when I remember to use them.

I'll add more if I remember them.

[Bill HH]

I have learnt that one courgette plant is one too many.

That seed packets labeled gardeners delight by a reputable seed firm may be something else completely.

That sun flowers planted on the eastern boundary of my garden will only face my neighbour.

That the large net cage i built is the best thing since sliced bread.

That the term Sunny Devon is a sick joke.

and that 100 onion sets seem to end up as 60 onions though I have no idea where the other 40 went.

[Jay-ell]

Cover my carrots - onion didnt protect them

An 8x4 foot bed isn't big enough for 6 squash plants

Toms seed seems to come up ok so dont sow 20 just in case

be judicious with my thinning out

[crannman]

I learnt that I love my allotment the failures the successful plants I learnt to tolerate the little critters that eat my plants not to cry when plants bolt I learnt that its a great feeling when I come home with loads of produce with a smug smile on my face .

[Lumpy]

I no longer like courgettes or Q's so will not be planting any next year - well thats what I say now,

Not to try and move my growing area mid season just so he can have chickens.

We don't really need 20 DFB plants - even the neighbours are saying 'no'

Only grow outdoor toms so the porch no longer ends up looking like a savage nest of triffids..

Tyres are good for keeping roots warm - strawberries and pumpkin have grown brilliantly because the black rubber insulates them.

I don't like chard so the plants will be going to a neighbours British Giant Rabbit that is aptly named Thunder Bunny.

That you can't buy frog or toad spawn so next year I will have to go pond dipping for it.

[Martin H]

3 metre wide debris netting doesn't stretch tall enough to cover PSB, kale or sprouts.

Cauliflowers need regular watering throughout the growing season or they will bolt.

Don't worry about starting too early in Spring, there's plenty of time in the season for most crops down here in the south east.

[lottie dolly]

Simplify,and relax more,
do not grow plants that i have no room for,or end up with no time to deal with,Ruddy waster,
Get a simple strimmer that i can use,don't know what yet,
water beds more often,
what i pick deal with that day,
the main thing is enjoy the experience again off a lottie

[Tiny Allotment]

No two years are alike

paul

[Potstubsdustbins]

I seem to be reminded of the same two things every year.

You can only work with nature, try to fight it and you will ............................lose.

Always employ the veggie gardeners greatest weapon..................................Patience. Those darn toms used most of mine this year.

[CaroleL]

I've only just got back into gardening and this is the most ambitious veggie garden I've ever had so I've learnt a lot this year.

1. I really like courgettes, and pickled courgettes, so five plants was just about perfect for two of us.

2. 12 squash plants may have been too many. The garden is overflowing with them, even though they're growing upwards.

3. Not much grows under the shade of huge courgette leaves so best not put them in the square foot garden again.

4. I can't grow lettuce. Or pak choi. Or spring onions.

5. The greenhouse is not big enough. Ditto the garden.

6. Beans grow faster in big plastic pots than they do in the garden soil. Therefore, I need more pots.

[Potstubsdustbins]

^^^^^^^^^^Black flower buckets with drainage holes will do the job just fine for runners. Last year they were 98p for 8 or in some instances FREEEEEEEE!!!!!

[noviceveggrower]

Think my things learnt are

Don't plant things to early. Nothing worse than a sudden cold snap to either stop or kill what you've worked hard to grow from seed.

Water, water and water a little bit more.

Be patient. I know its hard waiting but sometimes you just have to.

If your seedlings die there is no shame in buying plug plants. Believe me I have bought several lots this year.

If things bolt or turn to seed then its not necessarily my fault. Several seasonal growers I have spoken to round here have had problems with their stuff this year.

No two years are the same. This time last year I was sick of looking at tomatoes this year I still haven't got a ripe one.

A plus has been that a managed to get some beetroot to grow and some carrots. First time ever.

[Bill Door]

what i have learned

What you don't eat will make the compost heap bigger.

Sow onion seeds later.

Plant potatoes earlier.

Don't begrudge wild life a tasting of the produce.

Allotments are 90% appreciation and 10% sweat.

New fangeled gadgets are no use if left at home.

New fangeled gadgets are no more if left at the allotment.

All produce is greener, tastier and better on the ajoining plot.

enjoy your gardening.

Bill