Got this 2 weeks ago

This is the result after a lot of graft.

Picket fence going in Monday.

Should have got an allotment years ago

 

Great preparation. Great planning. Well done Clanless

 

Looks great, am I jealous? You bet!

 

I can really appreciate the graft you've put in @clanless something I would have loved to do but know I wouldn't have that sort of dedication, a job well done.

 

Nice one clanless! Many happy days ahead for you as you mould it into the shape you want it to be in. Best of luck with it!

Steve...

 

Looks good apart from one little thing. The cuppa needs to be stronger :rasp:

 

Pic's taken this morning - car load of old carpet taken up from paths in between old beds and a load of weeds. I know the guys so well at the tip now - they help me empty the car

 

Very nice! I wish we had those allotments over here. We've got supposed allotments at a park near here but they aren't anything like the ones over there. Ours are tiny and no buildings allowed or fences. No real sense of your own plot.

I like that you're enjoying a cuppa for your 1000th message too!

 

Today's effort - half installed first raised bed - left level at home - so will straighten up Wednesday - need to spend tomorrow in my own garden.

The other allotment holders have given me some red current bushes and an eating apple tree - nice bunch of people

 

Good work @clanless - I feel tired just looking at the pictures! What is the soil like there? Are you going to just bulk it with manure to raise the level for your beds? Or do you have to bring some in?

 

Hi Caroline,

I'm guessing it is fairly neutral - perhaps leaning towards a little acidic. I'm assuming this as rhubarb seems to grow like billy-o, and there's a good mix of veg and flowers on the other plots.

The soil is nothing like my clay ridden garden - it's very easy to dig - I can dig the spade fully into the soil with very little effort.

I'll be using the soil from the existing raised beds - so no new soil being taken to the plot. I don't think you can see from the pic's but there are 2 pallet compost bins to the left of the shed - I'll be using these, in time, to bulk up the raised beds. There is also a riding stables nearby - who supply the allotment with horse manure - but I've been told that this has to left on the bed for some time before planting - apparently digging it in and then planting up straight away will 'burn' the roots of the plants.

I'll be putting bark chippings on the paths - gravel and old bits of carpet are not allowed. I removed a couple of car loads of old carpet from my plot, put down in the days when it was allowed.

 

It's a shame they don't allow old carpet - very good weed suppressor. Not even covered with bark?

 

Yes bark is OK. I think the issue was that cheaper carpet has a built in foam underlay - which disintegrates and contaminates the soil - it is nigh on impossible to remove as it breaks up into small pieces as soon as you touch it. The same goes for the hessian backing - but I suppose as this is a natural product, it hasn't really been an issue.

the other thing I wanted to mention - I nearly fell over when I found out that the annual rent for the plot is 30 GBP - I was expecting much more. Also, thinking of putting my name down for another plot.

Anyway - today's effort:

 

Today's effort - cobbled together an arch from trellis - and installed last of the first row of raised beds.

Morrisons are selling off their honeysuckles - apart from Henryi - does anyone know of another evergreen honeysuckle variety?

Also plumped for a poly tunnel - they are cheaper than greenhouses and more resistant to wind apparently.

Rain stopped play this morning - although one brave sole was seen allotmenteering in an anorak....