Gardening, Growing and Green-ing Adventures

Discussion in 'Members Gallery' started by toppington, Aug 6, 2017.

  1. toppington

    toppington Tiny garden, always on the cheap!

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2016
    Messages:
    448
    Location:
    South Midlands, UK
    Ratings:
    +1,179
    No hangovers here! :) Hope you are all doing well and thank you for being silly last night (or merely cheering my silly on!!) :)

    I did mean Skegness! Am a bit sad about places I loved that were down to earth, nice happy places being "hipsterised" and are now very trendy and therefore expensive places to go. I suppose that is "progress" or something...!
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • Irmemac

      Irmemac Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 11, 2017
      Messages:
      1,027
      Location:
      West of Scotland
      Ratings:
      +1,686
      Glad you feel fine! Yes I agree, it's very sad when that happens. Not so much of it happening up here, but there are developers building expensive luxury homes all over the green belt, and it's very sad to see countryside being replaced by big houses squashed together.
      When do you have to decide which plot you prefer?
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • "M"

        "M" Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 11, 2012
        Messages:
        18,607
        Location:
        The Garden of England
        Ratings:
        +31,885
        It's a long swim though
        [​IMG]
         
        • Funny Funny x 1
        • BeeHappy

          BeeHappy Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Feb 19, 2016
          Messages:
          4,316
          Occupation:
          Mother Nature's Garden Apprentice
          Location:
          Happy in the Garden of W' Eden ;)
          Ratings:
          +6,133
          GOOD MORNING meluvverly's on this BEEutiful morning :SUNsmile: All chipper here too :hapydancsmil:
          Thanks for the sillies Tops did 'ave a giggle:heehee:.... Luv luv,luv this plaque me friend sent me- it mentions "BE SILLY" :imphrt:
          1BE You-roses-and-butterflies.jpg
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • toppington

            toppington Tiny garden, always on the cheap!

            Joined:
            Mar 19, 2016
            Messages:
            448
            Location:
            South Midlands, UK
            Ratings:
            +1,179
            I have made the choice and said I would like Plot 1, and have let the council know, should hear back in the next few days to confirm and fill in paperwork and so on.

            I love the thought of @"M" having a quick swim over to France for a bit - surely a ferry (or a train!) would be faster :o)

            No problem doing that at all! :chicken::hapfeet::yahoo:
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • BeeHappy

              BeeHappy Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Feb 19, 2016
              Messages:
              4,316
              Occupation:
              Mother Nature's Garden Apprentice
              Location:
              Happy in the Garden of W' Eden ;)
              Ratings:
              +6,133
              BeeHappy said:
              it mentions "BE SILLY"
              DITTO 0fe67c2d8595ebf145834dd7da493d4c.gif
              :heehee:
               
              • Funny Funny x 1
              • Irmemac

                Irmemac Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jun 11, 2017
                Messages:
                1,027
                Location:
                West of Scotland
                Ratings:
                +1,686
                :spring:

                Congratulations!! You must be so excited. Please can we see photos soon. I'm glad you have chosen plot 1, as it sounds well set up for you. Well done!

                I love the thought of @"M" having a quick swim over to France for a bit - surely a ferry (or a train!) would be faster :o)

                Well, we could wave to her as we pass :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
                 
                • Funny Funny x 2
                • Like Like x 1
                • Linz

                  Linz Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Oct 7, 2015
                  Messages:
                  2,511
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Occupation:
                  Prosperous Peasant
                  Location:
                  S.Wales
                  Ratings:
                  +6,224
                  Awesome news tops! I know you've picked it and I'm too late.. but as good as plot 1 sounds I would have gone for 3! Once your all planted up you may find yourself wanting more space.. i did so went halfers on another plot. If you picked 3 you could put in varieties of fruit bushes which you know what they are BUT this also could go against you as it takes a good 2 years to get established and bear some decent fruit. Wish you all the best with it :) whack some onions in trays and garlic in pots while you wait and plant out on a "warmish" day, not too late :dbgrtmb:
                   
                  • Friendly Friendly x 2
                  • Informative Informative x 1
                  • "M"

                    "M" Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Aug 11, 2012
                    Messages:
                    18,607
                    Location:
                    The Garden of England
                    Ratings:
                    +31,885
                    :heehee: (costs a bob or two though ;) good money better spent on gardening, methinks? :dunno: ) :heehee:
                    :lunapic 130165696578242 5: Or, better yet (seeing as you're passing) ... throw me a rope and act as my tug boat! :thumbsup:
                     
                    • Funny Funny x 3
                    • toppington

                      toppington Tiny garden, always on the cheap!

                      Joined:
                      Mar 19, 2016
                      Messages:
                      448
                      Location:
                      South Midlands, UK
                      Ratings:
                      +1,179
                      Morning all! I keep forgetting to update this, so here we go!

                      Here's a pic from viewing the plot, behind me are some fruit bushes and canes, and in front was where the veg was!
                      IMG_4117.jpg

                      in mid-December i got the "keys" to the plot! The previous plot-holder had said they needed some time to clear the plot. so despite agreeing to it in November, it didn't go through until December. I was then not very well over the festive period, so my first visit was only in the first week of Jan.

                      When I viewed the plot, there were some fruit bushes and canes and lots of wilted vegetables, which I was told would be removed before I took the plot over. The councillor thought that the previous plot holder wanted to take the fruit bushes with them hence leaving a few weeks for them to do this. On the first visit, everything was still as it was - so I have inherited some dead veg and lots of fruit bushes and canes! The last plot holder had also pulled down some of the annual veg grown earlier in the year and stuck them in a massive pile so one large bed had been used as a compost heap! However, I did very kindly get left two compost bins and tops to use - so have put these in use.

                      I asked for lots of IDs at that point - thank you all for helping with these! Sadly I think i've a couple more! Does anyone know - are both of these Rhubarb crowns?
                      IMG_4407.jpg
                      IMG_4415.jpg

                      First visit in January, I started tidying. Lots of the plot was overgrown, and needed attention. There's no shed or greenhouse but part of the plot at the end is a bit shady, leafy and untidy due to being behind next-door's greenhouse - this is where some of the fruit bushes are! I think I uncovered a rhubarb crown which was under a load of glass/windows and plastic rubbish - see above!

                      Also got digging on the front part and got rid of loads of stones, dead veg and weeds from the front two beds at the front and dug them over:
                      IMG_4349.jpg
                      I wasn't sure what half the stuff in the third bed was so left it and asked lots of questions here!

                      Today I have been up the allotment and done a fair few things:
                      - pruned the Gooseberry bush. (it may stay or go, not a gooseberry fan, but want to see how it does.). It doesn't scrape my legs any more!
                      - Taken out what looks like dead sweetcorn, chard, kohlrabi and potentially artichoke.
                      - pruned the Currant Bush (may be blackcurrant but not sure as not seen any leaves or fruit!). It looks to have Big Bud Mite on some of the branches so I have taken a few buds and a few crossing branches off too.
                      - pruned the other Fruit Bushes (not sure what they are)- there are two of these so the previous plot holder must have liked them!
                      IMG_4412.jpg
                      - tied in the Raspberry Canes
                      - Tidied up the Loganberry Canes
                      - Cleared up the "Pile Of C**p" which was about 3ft by 3ft and 2ft tall at top point:
                      Before
                      IMG_4342.jpg
                      after:
                      IMG_4429.jpg
                      And, I've carried over a cheapo fold-up chair and table, so I can now sit with a cuppa, relax for a bit, and have something to put my tools on! :spinning:

                      Next plans:
                      - draw up a map of the plot, and work out what I want to grow where.
                      - pot up, or attempt to somehow constrain, strawberry runners which are literally everywhere!
                      - potentially trim the 2x Fruit Bushes a little more?
                      - plant out my Onions, Spring Onions and Garlic which I've started from seed/clove, in the next month
                      - think about getting a Wheelbarrow so that moving stuff around is not difficult!
                      - Plan some more veg and start seeds off!
                      - Check out if the brassica I have inherited needs to go or not (and try and work out what it is)...

                      Thank you for reading! If anyone here has any recommendations of other things I should do, or any other general advice, please do say! I am a total beginner and would very much appreciate any pointers or advice! :rolleyespink::biggrin:
                       
                      • Like Like x 3
                      • "M"

                        "M" Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Aug 11, 2012
                        Messages:
                        18,607
                        Location:
                        The Garden of England
                        Ratings:
                        +31,885
                        :love30: :love30: Bravo toppers!! :love30: :love30: your hard work is duly noted and now you've earned this: :star:

                        Recommendations? :think2:

                        * Keep your eyes open for your fellow allotmenteers - they may be able to ID some of the stuff you're not certain of (they, most likely, would have seen them when they were fruiting)

                        * Unless you find a good deal on a wheelbarrow you may try asking one of your plot neighbours if you could borrow theirs for half an hour while you're both on site.

                        * Strawberry runners: if they are in the way, pot them up. The runners are the next generation and I believe that the parent plants should be replaced roughly every three years, so those runners, potentially, have 3 years left in them :thumbsup:

                        * Regarding the no shed: one of the plot holders in the allotments opposite me hasn't a shed either. But, keep an eye on the sales for a storage bench - which is what he has, the plastic type - you get to store tools inside it plus somewhere to sit; they hold a surprising amount of tools. Do get a padlock though ;)

                        Well done on your hard work; exciting times ahead! :thumbsup:
                         
                        • Agree Agree x 1
                        • Informative Informative x 1
                        • Friendly Friendly x 1
                        • toppington

                          toppington Tiny garden, always on the cheap!

                          Joined:
                          Mar 19, 2016
                          Messages:
                          448
                          Location:
                          South Midlands, UK
                          Ratings:
                          +1,179
                          Thank you very much @"M" this is all very encouraging stuff! I feel a bit knackered thinking about it all at the moment, but I have the flu and thus motivation to even go outside is low!! :spinning:

                          I've only been at times only one or two other people have been around. The couple I met have said it can be quite dead at this time of the year but that it gets busier as the days go on! :)

                          They are pretty much everywhere all over the place - so much so that I can't see where the original plants have come from! It's clear the previous plot-person loved fruit!!! I shall try and pot them up next time I am there and see what happens.

                          Oooooh that's a good idea! Do you mean something like this?

                          Thanks so much for the encouragement! :D
                           
                          • Friendly Friendly x 2
                          • "M"

                            "M" Total Gardener

                            Joined:
                            Aug 11, 2012
                            Messages:
                            18,607
                            Location:
                            The Garden of England
                            Ratings:
                            +31,885
                            Oh no! Poor you :frown: Stay in, keep warm, well hydrated and ... get well very soon! :grphg:
                            Yes, something like that :thumbsup: I was given one (years ago) which has a back to it and arms but certainly that storage box would work; a couple of pretty cushions on it in the summer and a glass of Pimms and the whole experience will be that little bit more rewarding after a day of tending and digging ;)
                             
                            • Friendly Friendly x 1
                            • Irmemac

                              Irmemac Total Gardener

                              Joined:
                              Jun 11, 2017
                              Messages:
                              1,027
                              Location:
                              West of Scotland
                              Ratings:
                              +1,686
                              Hi @toppington, I'm sorry to have missed the latest update on your allotment progress. I have developed ongoing health woes which mean my involvement in the forum is very random, I'm either here a lot or... not!

                              Wow! You have done so much already! You've made a great start, and the allotment is looking much more organised. It will be exciting for you to start planning how you are going to make it your own. You have inherited some interesting fruit and it will be fun to discover what some of it is. Thankfully you have the most important equipment now - a table and chair - so you are practically done!

                              Looking forward to your progress reports!

                              :hapydancsmil::spinning:
                               
                            • Cassie

                              Cassie Gardener

                              Joined:
                              Apr 4, 2018
                              Messages:
                              78
                              Gender:
                              Female
                              Location:
                              Macedon Ranges, Australia
                              Ratings:
                              +201
                              I'm late to this thread but loving it, and very impressed with the amount you've achieved so far.

                              How is the plot going?
                               
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice