Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 1, 2012 22:16:22 GMT
Very chuffed to report that we have ourselves an allotment so we can now can get semi pro serious about growing our own fruit and veggies. We have raised beds in the back garden which we've learned so much from in the last 2 years, but now we're ready for the large scale (for us) food production that this growing space should provide. The hard bit is to choose what to try and grow. The rule of thumb is - veg = scoff. Fruit = jam or wine.
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Post by Fat Bob on Dec 1, 2012 23:41:51 GMT
Good luck with your allotment, growing your own not just tastes better - it is better!
We just planted garlic for next year.
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Post by rivergirl on Dec 2, 2012 0:18:46 GMT
My veg patch was pants this year....... Thanks to the weather but the fruit was okay. Good luck with yours!
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Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 2, 2012 20:13:23 GMT
Our veg beds in the garden didn't do well this year because of the weather - spuds poor, beans failed, onions and garlic undersized but packed with flavour. Just as well we live in the 21st century otherwise we'd be starving now ;D. Hopefully the weather will be somewhat more suitable for productivity next year. Fingers crossed. On a more positive note I've dug the beds over in rthe new plot and I wasn't physically knackered thereafter - it was hard work but I loved it  |
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Post by Fat Bob on Dec 2, 2012 23:18:41 GMT
We had loadsa spuds, onions and garlic, not a good aspargus season, runnerbeans got blown over but still had a reasonable crop. We scrump apples as there are hectares of orchards nearby - raspberries were crazy this year - same with strawberries. Neighbour gave us boxes of kiwis and was a reasonable walnut season. You win some you lose some...
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Post by DuncanM on Dec 3, 2012 8:28:38 GMT
I recently got one too, so know the feeling  I'll be growing a hell of a lot of fruit (strawbs, rasps, tayberries, blueberries (10plants and counting) and most importantly of all - apples. I've got 20 or so apple trees - 17 of which are 1 year whips, and 12 of those will be grown down the allotment espalier trained against a trellis I need to stick in.) also lots of sweetcorn for the misses -150 or so plants, but fellow plotholders tell me the foxes eat a load of sweetcorn just before it ripens! |
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Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 3, 2012 11:10:45 GMT
We have raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries, and others I'm not sure of yet. I'll import some rhubarb, and have bought pear, plum, and damson trees. Neighbouring plots have them so no problems with cross pollination. So much choice.
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Post by h12rpo on Dec 3, 2012 11:43:31 GMT
Mmmmmmmmmm rhubarb ! Wonderfull........just saying like |
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Post by bookemdanno on Dec 4, 2012 18:16:22 GMT
My onions hardly did anything too!
Can you just leave them to over winter?
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Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 4, 2012 22:20:28 GMT
Depends on the type of onion - some will be ok, some will split into 2 bulbs, some will split and produce "spring" onions. Some will rot.
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Post by richburrow on Dec 7, 2012 22:36:21 GMT
I hope the allotment is fruitful for you.
I wish I had the space. Have grown toms in planters, got some rubarb and loads of red and blackcurrents.
You are doing it properly, enjoy
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Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 11, 2012 21:57:46 GMT
I planted 3 fruit trees on Sunday - a pear, damson, and plum. I have a quince and apple already... wines and brandies on their way, certainly. And going to buy a cider press. Just bought a book called "Booze for Free" which is going to be a great reference for the alcoholic production from the allotment. This is going to be great if all goes well. Just as well I ain't frightened of some heavy graft  |
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Post by turkey on Dec 17, 2012 14:48:44 GMT
how often do you need to tend to the crops? and do some need more pampering than others?
ie what should a novice set out to grow and what sort of effort will they need to impart?
congrats btw, I hear the waiting lists are pretty long in most places now days. I checked our local council site and the rental costs have nearly doubled this year.
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Tom B
WFO Team Player
Posts: 148
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Post by Tom B on Dec 17, 2012 17:20:01 GMT
Potatoes, cabbages, caulis are all easy to grow - I found them straightforward in my veg beds in my first year. Onions, garlic, and spring onions are also pretty simple as long as you perform basic weeding and feeding. Beans and peas failed last summer (2012) due to the lousy weather. I'm going to be learning a hell of a lot in the next 12 months, and will be trawling the internet for blogs and advice, much as I did here for the WFO. The annual rent for my plot is an unbelievable £30. The allotment site is self managed by the plot holders under a 15 year arrangement with the local Council, which allows the tenants to raise rents and invest them back into the site. After I pay my rent materials like manure and fencing are free and supplied.
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Post by Happy Baker on Dec 19, 2012 12:00:10 GMT
Tom, you might already know this but IMHO (and some of those I went to college with) www.kitchengarden.co.uk/ is the veg mag to read - you also get seeds every month if my memory serves! Have fun on your 'lottie' it's a community too |
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I'll be growing a hell of a lot of fruit (strawbs, rasps, tayberries, blueberries (10plants and counting) and most importantly of all - apples. I've got 20 or so apple trees - 17 of which are 1 year whips, and 12 of those will be grown down the allotment espalier trained against a trellis I need to stick in.) also lots of sweetcorn for the misses -150 or so plants, but fellow plotholders tell me the foxes eat a load of sweetcorn just before it ripens!
