Work on second outside bed has begun, measured up to same dimensions as first (ie. 23 x 4). Although it looks like good progress, ie. halfway through, it's only been single digging so far. We're trying a new approach where we turn the top layer clear, break it up and clear of twitch and then we'll go back and turn the second deeper layer. If nothing else, it adds variety to digging !
Depending on weather, may get down Thursday. If not, it'll be Saturday.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Some assorted images from the weekend's work...
All 'twitched' out
Afternoon, all.
Update from our weekend workings. First bed is is now complete - may want add some manure/fertiliser/improver. Other than that, it's seems to be in good shape. Polytunnel has also been tidied up, with the non-strawberry bed dug over and de-twitched. I'm sure we'll be dreaming about it (twitch) tonight ! Soil is in good shape - appears more moist towards the far end (Sandalwood side).
DECISION REQUIRED ON WHETHER TO COVER OVER OR PLANT. We did pick up some seeds at the weekend (rocket, radish, spinach and little gem lettuce), but didn't want to plant without consultation.
Met both Gerald and Les (previous tenant), who came to dig some more spuds (left a row, but he'll come back for them). Had a good conversation and can understand why Les is no longer able to carry it on. We did invite him to come and see progress whenever he felt like it. I suspect he'll continue to pop down, if only to keep up with some of our allotment neighbours.
Gerald pulled a couple of spades from the shed and a half-scythe. He's happy for us to keep the scythe (now inside the polytunnel) since they no longer have a use for it. Could do with a little sharpening, but you'll see it's pretty effective from what I've taken down towards the shed-end. I've said that if we find anything else of value (tools) in the shed, we'll let him know, but he had a pretty good rummage around, so what's left is for us to use.
The beds far side of the tunnel were rotavated last year, growth is 12 months only. Gerald felt that they would be an easier option to refresh. He has a rotavator and did offer to rotavate for us. We said we'd confer and let him know.
Other neighbours met were Lee and Madge on Saturday (on the rotavated plot). They've now planted out some of what they rescued from their previous plot. We also have a Gerald next to us, who shares some of his plot with Howard (who has the next one down after Gerald's. Also met a Judith, whose husband she referred to as 'Digger Dave'. All very nice and friendly.
We also had our first beer and picnic at the allotment on Sunday - outstanding ! Good as being on holiday...
Talk to you all soon, J&I x
Update from our weekend workings. First bed is is now complete - may want add some manure/fertiliser/improver. Other than that, it's seems to be in good shape. Polytunnel has also been tidied up, with the non-strawberry bed dug over and de-twitched. I'm sure we'll be dreaming about it (twitch) tonight ! Soil is in good shape - appears more moist towards the far end (Sandalwood side).
DECISION REQUIRED ON WHETHER TO COVER OVER OR PLANT. We did pick up some seeds at the weekend (rocket, radish, spinach and little gem lettuce), but didn't want to plant without consultation.
Met both Gerald and Les (previous tenant), who came to dig some more spuds (left a row, but he'll come back for them). Had a good conversation and can understand why Les is no longer able to carry it on. We did invite him to come and see progress whenever he felt like it. I suspect he'll continue to pop down, if only to keep up with some of our allotment neighbours.
Gerald pulled a couple of spades from the shed and a half-scythe. He's happy for us to keep the scythe (now inside the polytunnel) since they no longer have a use for it. Could do with a little sharpening, but you'll see it's pretty effective from what I've taken down towards the shed-end. I've said that if we find anything else of value (tools) in the shed, we'll let him know, but he had a pretty good rummage around, so what's left is for us to use.
The beds far side of the tunnel were rotavated last year, growth is 12 months only. Gerald felt that they would be an easier option to refresh. He has a rotavator and did offer to rotavate for us. We said we'd confer and let him know.
Other neighbours met were Lee and Madge on Saturday (on the rotavated plot). They've now planted out some of what they rescued from their previous plot. We also have a Gerald next to us, who shares some of his plot with Howard (who has the next one down after Gerald's. Also met a Judith, whose husband she referred to as 'Digger Dave'. All very nice and friendly.
We also had our first beer and picnic at the allotment on Sunday - outstanding ! Good as being on holiday...
Talk to you all soon, J&I x
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Previous tenant
I've spoken to Gerald Trevor, the son of the previous tenant, Les. It seems that Les has had the plot for 30 years and was reluctant to give it up. However his health has deteriorated recently.
Gerald was surprised we had already taken it over. I explained that the Council had repeatedly been in touch with his father, who took his failure to reply and his age as indication that he was relinquishing the plot. Gerald has attempted to work the lot in recent times. However he now lives in Hinckley and, as we talked, seemed to become reconciled that the plot needed handing over to new tenants.
Here are a couple of notes that may be useful. He bought the polytunnel 3-4 years ago as a present for his father. He has installed an overhead sprinkler system in it, but this is not needed every day, as the soil retains moisture well, even in high summer.
He had treated the soil under the tarpaulin with leaf mould, and says its condition is now much better than previously. (That explains the rotting bags of leaves in the polytunnel)
He says they have not experienced flooding of the plot since the Council installed land drains several years back.
Gerald mentioned the rows of remaining potatoes. I said he was free to dig those up at his convenience
Gerald will empty the shed in the next few days.
Geoff and I today (Wednesday) continued the clearing out of the polytunnel. We have potted a few strawberry runners in the hope they might take - and be replanted when we know what to do with the polytunnel next year.
Mike
Gerald was surprised we had already taken it over. I explained that the Council had repeatedly been in touch with his father, who took his failure to reply and his age as indication that he was relinquishing the plot. Gerald has attempted to work the lot in recent times. However he now lives in Hinckley and, as we talked, seemed to become reconciled that the plot needed handing over to new tenants.
Here are a couple of notes that may be useful. He bought the polytunnel 3-4 years ago as a present for his father. He has installed an overhead sprinkler system in it, but this is not needed every day, as the soil retains moisture well, even in high summer.
He had treated the soil under the tarpaulin with leaf mould, and says its condition is now much better than previously. (That explains the rotting bags of leaves in the polytunnel)
He says they have not experienced flooding of the plot since the Council installed land drains several years back.
Gerald mentioned the rows of remaining potatoes. I said he was free to dig those up at his convenience
Gerald will empty the shed in the next few days.
Geoff and I today (Wednesday) continued the clearing out of the polytunnel. We have potted a few strawberry runners in the hope they might take - and be replanted when we know what to do with the polytunnel next year.
Mike
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Double digging for beginners...
Clearly a job for masochists. That said, soil in the first bed now underway appears pretty good. Bit of clay, but given the rain we've had, remarkably un-waterlogged. Adding to Mike & Geoff's good work from earlier today, we're about three quarters of the way to having our first 23 x 4 foot bed dug over.
Irene's started clearing the polytunnel. Some work required, but probably not as bad as it looks. Strawberry plants look pretty good and one or two fruits on the way. Having got the measure of it, I think we can crack on pretty quickly - job for the weekend, weather permitting.
One suggestion - at some point, we ought to start filling in some of the holes/drainpipe sized ruts around the plot. If we don't someone's going to break an ankle. Not sure whether it has any drainage properties, or it's just a sunken border (believe the latter), but we could always simply gravel it.
We'll also get in touch with a local timber merchant to figure out how much raised beds are going to cost (Harlow Bros.). Will advise accordingly.
Irene's started clearing the polytunnel. Some work required, but probably not as bad as it looks. Strawberry plants look pretty good and one or two fruits on the way. Having got the measure of it, I think we can crack on pretty quickly - job for the weekend, weather permitting.
One suggestion - at some point, we ought to start filling in some of the holes/drainpipe sized ruts around the plot. If we don't someone's going to break an ankle. Not sure whether it has any drainage properties, or it's just a sunken border (believe the latter), but we could always simply gravel it.
We'll also get in touch with a local timber merchant to figure out how much raised beds are going to cost (Harlow Bros.). Will advise accordingly.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Meet the neighbours
I met a couple who are taking the site next to ours (the one that's just been rotovated). They are called Lee and Madge and have rented it with another couple, one of whom is called Heather (not sure what her partner is called). They took over another plot near the Forest Road entrance some 10 weeks ago and it was completely waterlogged and they lost everything. They have confirmed that all the council did was to rotovate all the weeds into the ground, there was no surface clearance first. Armed with this information I tend to side with Jonathan's view on rotovation.
They also said that as far a drainage is concerned, they think there are land drains under the plots that drain into the brook, but these may have been blocked by the two road tracks and the installation of the water. Our plots are therefore not affected by either of these and should drain better.
They also said that as far a drainage is concerned, they think there are land drains under the plots that drain into the brook, but these may have been blocked by the two road tracks and the installation of the water. Our plots are therefore not affected by either of these and should drain better.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
To Rotovate or not to Rotovate...that is Geoff's question....
Have to say, our first thoughts were what a great job. However, the more I (Jonathan) thought about it, the more I thought it best not to rotovate. Reason being that as we create the various beds, unless we lay new grass for paths, we'll be tramping through mud all the time. On our plot, by only clearing the areas we want to cultivate, at least we will already have the basics of a grass path around them to work from. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to avoid the dirt...just not go home covered in it !!
Another opinion, but if consensus is to rotovate, I'm relaxed about it.
As an aside, we took various measurements last night. I'll try and present graphically, but textually:
1. The plot is 23 feet wide and and 33 feet from the path to the polytunnel. If we go with 3 foot paths and 4 foot deep beds, we could do 5x2 (ie. 10) beds of 10 foot (wide) by 4 foot (deep), with a pathway up the middle and along the length of each. Certainly enough to get us going !
2. Polytunnel is 11 feet wide.
3. There's a further 30 feet to the brambles. Using the same principle in 1, we could have 4x2 (ie. 8) beds 10 foot by 4 foot, with requisite paths.
4. Brambles are 5 feet deep.
5. There's a further 15 feet to the fence, but it's fairly uneven and probably only good for storage, compost, etc. And maybe a new shed and incinerator (Geoff !!)....
Ciao for now....
Another opinion, but if consensus is to rotovate, I'm relaxed about it.
As an aside, we took various measurements last night. I'll try and present graphically, but textually:
1. The plot is 23 feet wide and and 33 feet from the path to the polytunnel. If we go with 3 foot paths and 4 foot deep beds, we could do 5x2 (ie. 10) beds of 10 foot (wide) by 4 foot (deep), with a pathway up the middle and along the length of each. Certainly enough to get us going !
2. Polytunnel is 11 feet wide.
3. There's a further 30 feet to the brambles. Using the same principle in 1, we could have 4x2 (ie. 8) beds 10 foot by 4 foot, with requisite paths.
4. Brambles are 5 feet deep.
5. There's a further 15 feet to the fence, but it's fairly uneven and probably only good for storage, compost, etc. And maybe a new shed and incinerator (Geoff !!)....
Ciao for now....
Look at the work done on Plot 40
The council have done an excellent job on Plot 40 and have cleared to whole plot and removed ll the debris apart from a few things that the new allotment people might want.
This might make us re-think on whether it should be rotovated.
OK, we know that some of the weeds may have been dug in, but look at all that time saved!
Monday, July 16, 2007
New 'Library' Resources
Forgot to mention, we also ordered a couple of books. In the end, we decided to get different ones to J&G. Details are as follows (hopefully save anyone buying the same unintentionally):
1. "The Allotment Keeper's Handbook: A Down-to-earth Guide to Growing Your Own Food"by Jane Perrone
2. "Allotment Gardening: An Organic Guide for Beginners"by Susan Berger
Anyway, they both get good (occasionally mixed) reviews on Amazon, but at least the latter should aid our organic credentials !! Will let you know what they're like and share around...
1. "The Allotment Keeper's Handbook: A Down-to-earth Guide to Growing Your Own Food"by Jane Perrone
2. "Allotment Gardening: An Organic Guide for Beginners"by Susan Berger
Anyway, they both get good (occasionally mixed) reviews on Amazon, but at least the latter should aid our organic credentials !! Will let you know what they're like and share around...
Minutes of first Allotment Club Meeting 15 Jul 07
Allotment Meeting 15 July 07
Swan in Rushes
Agreed we will try initially to cultivate allotment using organic methods.
Preferred crops:
Richard has kindly offered his garage as storage space for tools etc.
Mike to be treasurer for first year.
Action: Each family to donate to Mike £75 initially for allotment fund. Mike to use this to reimburse team for any outgoings
Action: Mike to confirm allotment, decline offer of rotovating and request neighbouring plot.Plot 41 confirmed. Council this morning have refused to give us neighbouring plot because of long waiting list.
Action: Geoff agreed to produce a work book of work to be undertaken throughout the year.
Action: Jonathan agreed to set up a blog, accessible by all so we can report action, progress. Done!http://allotmentadventures.blogspot.com/
Action: Polytunnnel to be tidiedNew plot to be dug, where black tarpaulin currently lies.Patch behind polytunnel to be strimmed (Action: Mike)
Action: All to consider what first crops might be so we get early results, ideally with Xmas in mind.
Swan in Rushes
Agreed we will try initially to cultivate allotment using organic methods.
Preferred crops:
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Beetroot
- Broad beans
- Peas
- Agreed we may also grow flowers.
Richard has kindly offered his garage as storage space for tools etc.
Mike to be treasurer for first year.
Action: Each family to donate to Mike £75 initially for allotment fund. Mike to use this to reimburse team for any outgoings
Action: Mike to confirm allotment, decline offer of rotovating and request neighbouring plot.Plot 41 confirmed. Council this morning have refused to give us neighbouring plot because of long waiting list.
Action: Geoff agreed to produce a work book of work to be undertaken throughout the year.
Action: Jonathan agreed to set up a blog, accessible by all so we can report action, progress. Done!http://allotmentadventures.blogspot.com/
Action: Polytunnnel to be tidiedNew plot to be dug, where black tarpaulin currently lies.Patch behind polytunnel to be strimmed (Action: Mike)
Action: All to consider what first crops might be so we get early results, ideally with Xmas in mind.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Well, here we go....
A first blog on the road to home grown fruit and vegetables...
So on behalf of Mike & Di, Jan & Geoff, Caroline & Richard and Jonathan & Irene...here begins our grand Allotment Adventure !
Keep posting and think of the harvests to come....
So on behalf of Mike & Di, Jan & Geoff, Caroline & Richard and Jonathan & Irene...here begins our grand Allotment Adventure !
Keep posting and think of the harvests to come....
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