Should I go for this plot?

So I went up there yesterday to have a look over it with some more appropiate footware and Mr Jane by my side (he was interested in the shed of course).

Took some more pictures and had a proper look at the plot while standing in the middle of it. It seems that there's even more fruit to add to the list of things already there.

This is currently what I've found but there could be more I come across as I clear it up.

Raspberries
Strawberries
Rhubarb
Gooseberries
Possibly Loganberries (will need to check)
Some Blackberries, although these could just be brambles

I imagined I would have to had put in more fruiting canes as there wouldn't be any fruit on the plot but it seems I won't really need to spend much money at all. Also upon closer inpection yesterday I found the prevoius owner had laid down a load of weed suspressing membrane and some of the weeds had just popped up through the gaps in the layers. Also lots and lots of scaffold boards and box beds already made up.

Some more pictures of the plot.





The view I quite approve of too. We met a couple of the other plot holders, one who I knew from elsewhere and handed me a fistful of runnerbeans and said that they were happy to help out if I needed it. I got to speak to a guy who owned the neighbouring plot and cleared a few bits up with him as to what was mine and what was his etc. He too seemed happy to help out as well.

Hopefully next week if the weather holds off I will begin clearing it.

 

As soon as I found out I was getting a plot I grabbed all my seed and plant cataloges and were suprised to find that Ashridge's are even cheap than Thomspon and Morgan when it comes to fruit canes and trees. I've been given the go ahead to plant some trees (a look around the rest of the plots yesterday seem to confirm that others were doing it too) so will be ordering some bareroots in the autumn. Also some more blackcurrent canes too.

I should add that I was given a barerooted pear tree for my birthday a few years back and I was told it was a conference pear, but I don't think it is. Mind you it is certainly producing a lot of pears this year!

 

My 1 year maiden apples, planted on my Espalier wires, came bare root from Ashridge Trees last year are already developing the top tier and 6' tall! I've always had excellent quality plants from them, although I'm going off their standard trees. They are huge, for the money, but I smaller ones, with less root disturbance, and getting away better.

 

Looks full of potential Jane. A lovely open setting and with a few friendly allotmenteers on hand I feel it will be a pleasure for you to look forward to. This years harvest ..not to be sneezed at ..
good luck , and listen to your back,
Jenny

 

I was thinking of doing some espaliers to act as a boundary perhaps. What size/gauge wire did you use for the supports?

 

What about Cherry Plums? Prunus cerasifera AKA Myrobalan or Mirabelle Plums than can be grown as hedging or trees? The fruits come in all sorts of colours from yellow, through shades of reds to as dark as Damsons. Can be planted through Mypex and left to do their own thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirabelle_plum and cheap bought bare rooted http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/product_10262.html#aPLUM7T

Don't forget that £5 in Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be exchanged for a £15 T&M voucher and it can be used during 'Free P&P' or '20% off everything', etc. promotions to really get costs down. http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=2280

 

Nice one Jane, bit of a bonus

 

I have to say I'm not a great fan of plums. A bit too bitter/tart for my liking. Cherries however I will be growing.

That's good thinking!

I'm hoping to start clearing some of it today and then go and meet a lady to collect some tools off of her who has given them to me for free. I should really start a working Progress thread really.

 

I'll wander up there with my tape measure and vernier callipers shortly

That still wouldn't encourage me to buy things like fruit trees from them

 

I never thought of that. I was thinking of putting up a scarecrow would this work as well or should I not bother?

 

We net our cherries, but they are growing on the barn wall, and the guttering / eaves overhang, so its easy just to attach a net and drape it vertically down.

 

OK. So I started today clearing the plot and I'm troubled to say that some of the weeds have grown through the membrane. So the weeds are on top and the roots are underneath.

Wonder if I should go down the chemical root for these troublesome weeds and dig out the others by hand.

Or use chemicals on the lot. I've looked into it and it seems opinions are divided on if it really helps or not...

 

I would Roundup / Glyphosate the lot, once, to get a flying start. (Actually you might have to have a second go on pernicious weeds and/or bits you missed after 2-3 weeks)

I don't use any chemicals on my Edible crops, but am less bothered on my Ornamentals, and I figure that farmers use Roundup all the time, so me doing it once at the Get Go is not a big sin.

My preference is Monsanto's Roundup, as latest formulations are no longer labelled hazardous, but generic brand Glyphosate will probably be cheaper (watch out about dilution and that it is cheaper Per Unit Area and not just "cheaper for the bottle" !!), but AFAIK all the generics are still labelled hazardous.