Should I go for this plot?

Just to update this thread.

Just got a phonecall with the offer of a 100ft plot. Am waiting for the paperwork and will go and have a look at it.

Asked if I could just fill it with fruit and I was told 'we will turn a blind eye to it" So am now looking for somewhere I can buy fruit canes dirt cheap and lots of them too.

 

Got any mates with bamboo plants Jane?

 

I bought 100 Raspberry canes (10x each of 10 varieties, from mega-early to stupidly-late - they are planted in fruiting-order so that the picking area is always contiguous ) off eBay - late Spring I think, when they were trying to shift excess stock (it was a reputable certified-stock nursery). I seem to remember that they were cheap enough.

Strawberries I think it best to plant a single row, and then take two runners off that in the first year (left and right) to make a 3-plant-row. Then remove on plant each year, and take a runner as a replacement (so after fruiting in year 3 remove centre row, and then left the following year, then right the next, and then rinse-and-repeat). This obviously doesn't replace the soil, but keeps the plants juvenile.

Currants and Blackberries and the like I got from a reputable (bare root) nursery in Autumn. I only planted one of each variety - I think we have about 5 currant bushes, x Gooseberry, 2 o 3 blackberry (they need a lot of row-length) and probably a couple of others I have now forgotten about!

 

It's unlikely that it hasn't if it's a council site but do check that there is a nearby and easily used water supply, preferably a stand-pipe. This will make a huge difference to your success in dry summers. My allotment is a privately owned one and all water has to be collected and then applied with a watering can. Not very easy.

 

I don't really know if I want a 100ft plot. Might ask if I could have half but it looks as though they have already been divided into 4 already.

Going to see the plot tomorrow and then decide.

 

Might you grow some veg, as well as fruit?

Apple trees and the like would take up a fair bit of space, if you fancy that?

 

Lots of space for growing veg between young apple trees, that's what I do.

 

I do agree that the space is always useful. But I'm just concerned about keeping on top of the weeding that's all.

 

Woven mulching fabric? e.g. as per discussion in this thread:
http://gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/...-using-weed-suppressing-membrane-mypex.68728/

 

OK Ive just looked at it and have taken it. Its a pretty decent plot once all the grass has been removed. Comes with shed, raised beds and best of all fruiting raspberries.

Some pictures.



Have just secured it and don't have to pay until October either!

 

Congratulations Jane. Hoping it will be forever rewarding,
take it steady.
We're all here with tea and
Jenny

 

Congratulations Jane.

Re: your question about cheap fruit. Aldi had loads of raspberries and various currants this week. My Aldi have staff who seem to know how to look after plants but I know some other stores don't so if you're interested you may need to get to yours quickly. I bought Gooseberries from them two years ago and they've done really well.

 

Cheap is always nice of course but given the amount of [value of] fruit you get over the lifetime of a fruit bush (and Apple trees etc.) I think it is worth getting the varieties that suit you best - staggered harvest times, best possible flavour, correct rootstock (for fruit trees), and a quality plant too of course ...

An Apple tree from a quality nursery is probably £15 tops, and maybe a £fiver from a discount store ... you'll probably get £10 of fruit of it in the first season that it carries a full set of fruit.

If Aldi have the variety / rootstock that you want (and you trust the label!) then its a Slam Dunk