With more rain forecast for the afternoon I set off early today to make sure that I could plant the 16 or so raspberry canes that I had dug up from the garden, and also the twenty Swift 1st Early seed potatoes that have been chitting for a while now.
Two days ago I got 4 bags of really well rotted manure from a stable at the end of Bhylls Lane very close to where the railway walk starts in Castlecroft. I'll try to get more before it is all removed but had to stop after 4 bags because the rain was really coming down hard and the whole area was very messy.
Yesterday I got 4 more bags from a stable on the Stafford Road which I used to pass daily on my way to Rodbaston College and back. It was far easier to load up - I could get the car right up to it - and almost as well rotted, so I'll definitely be going back there to get more in the coming days.
I had marked out where the 2 rows of raspberry canes would go and spread some manure over the area and dug it in. Then I planted 2 rows of 8 canes each with the plan to support them on wires between posts once the growth has started. I topped everything off with some organic chicken manure pellets and look forward to seeing the new year's growth starting very shortly.
The 1st Early Swift potatoes went in 2 rows of 10 seed potatoes each, 6 inches deep, 12 inches apart, and 18 inches between rows (well, that's what I was aiming for!) . I had already dug in some manure, did a final weeding of the area, and finished off with more organic chicken manure pellets, so fingers crossed we'll get some reasonable potatoes in around 3 months' time.
In a week, if it's dry enough, I'll plant the other seed potatoes and look forward to seeing the first signs of growth, and then earth them up periodically during the season.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Ongoing soil preparations, including for the fruit area
With Spring fast approaching some final preparations are still needed - firstly the fruit area where the fruit cage will shortly be built. I spent around 3 hours on the soil of this area yesterday, trying to make sure all couch grass and nettles were removed and the old gooseberry bushes cut back and then dug out ready for new plants.
The other main area needing attention is the front right hand corner of the plot which last year was badly affected by Mare's Tail weeds and is unlikely to be properly cultivable at least in the short term. Today I removed much of the couch grass, nettles and other weeds and only time will tell what the area looks like once the Mare's Tail starts to grow again. Maybe today I managed to remove some of that as well though it has a reputation for being able to resist all counter measures!!
Finally, with the deep bed structures in place all that remains is for them to be filled with weed-free, sieved soil and well composted manure and then for the asparagus plants to arrive.
In the afternoon I visited the Dimmingale Garden Centre for more fine seed compost and a few extra seeds - purple sprouting broccoli, kohl rabi and mixed salad leaves. Everything is pretty much set now ........
The other main area needing attention is the front right hand corner of the plot which last year was badly affected by Mare's Tail weeds and is unlikely to be properly cultivable at least in the short term. Today I removed much of the couch grass, nettles and other weeds and only time will tell what the area looks like once the Mare's Tail starts to grow again. Maybe today I managed to remove some of that as well though it has a reputation for being able to resist all counter measures!!
Finally, with the deep bed structures in place all that remains is for them to be filled with weed-free, sieved soil and well composted manure and then for the asparagus plants to arrive.
In the afternoon I visited the Dimmingale Garden Centre for more fine seed compost and a few extra seeds - purple sprouting broccoli, kohl rabi and mixed salad leaves. Everything is pretty much set now ........
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Update on what's been sown so far and how the land lies ......
We've got the seed potatoes in the conservatory chitting away like good 'uns. 20 each of Swift, Charlotte and Sarpo Mira. From what the experts down at the allotment were saying this morning everything's about 2 weeks behind what you'd normally expect at this time of year so I can't see any of the potatoes going in before the 1st week of April. Apart from needing some manure via Kay's sister's horse's stable we're on schedule with soil preparation so we'll be ready when the time comes.
This morning we laid down several sheets of weed suppressing membrane, which should also help warm the soil for planting. We were also given some plastic sheeting so put that down on the area which last year was very overgrown by nettles. We hope to slow down their growth this year, if not prevent it completely.
It's going to be particularly important to keep the 2 deep beds free from weeds as we develop them for asparagus. We've moved them down to the allotment from the garden and during this coming week I'll be getting them in their correct positions ready to be filled with a soil/compost mix in time for the expected delivery of the plants at the start of April.
We've started quite a lot of plants off from seed already, with the conservatory, upstairs front room and greenhouse all involved at different stages in the germination and growing on process.
Flower seeds planted so far are restricted to 4 varieties of sweet peas (one of which is VERY slow to germinate) and some nasturtiums, but more will be following soon.
Vegetables so far planted from seed (roughly in order of initial planting starting around 1st March) include: cucumbers, sprouts, chili, sweet corn, broad beans, peas, leeks and mixed salad leaves.
In April more seeds will follow, along with more sowings of things already started. If I have to remember one thing this year it is successional sowings!!
If we needed any extra encouragement at all we got it this morning at the allotment. A neighbouring allotmenteer, John, gave us some of his parsnips - huge ones and which had over wintered pretty much unscathed. We'll be having roast parsnips with the Rodbaston leg of lamb for dinner this evening. Definitely just the thing to give you a healthy appetite!
This morning we laid down several sheets of weed suppressing membrane, which should also help warm the soil for planting. We were also given some plastic sheeting so put that down on the area which last year was very overgrown by nettles. We hope to slow down their growth this year, if not prevent it completely.
It's going to be particularly important to keep the 2 deep beds free from weeds as we develop them for asparagus. We've moved them down to the allotment from the garden and during this coming week I'll be getting them in their correct positions ready to be filled with a soil/compost mix in time for the expected delivery of the plants at the start of April.
We've started quite a lot of plants off from seed already, with the conservatory, upstairs front room and greenhouse all involved at different stages in the germination and growing on process.
Flower seeds planted so far are restricted to 4 varieties of sweet peas (one of which is VERY slow to germinate) and some nasturtiums, but more will be following soon.
Vegetables so far planted from seed (roughly in order of initial planting starting around 1st March) include: cucumbers, sprouts, chili, sweet corn, broad beans, peas, leeks and mixed salad leaves.
In April more seeds will follow, along with more sowings of things already started. If I have to remember one thing this year it is successional sowings!!
If we needed any extra encouragement at all we got it this morning at the allotment. A neighbouring allotmenteer, John, gave us some of his parsnips - huge ones and which had over wintered pretty much unscathed. We'll be having roast parsnips with the Rodbaston leg of lamb for dinner this evening. Definitely just the thing to give you a healthy appetite!
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Some photos of how the allotment looked just a short while after we took it over in May 2009
It really was a challenge, and one that at first I felt a little doubtful about but Linda reminded me that we had already waited 2 years to get an allotment and that demand far outstrips supply nowadays. We simply couldn't say no.
The Fruit Cage - ultimate design!!
Here is the fruit cage just built by the neighbouring allotmenteer. Stuart and I had to agree that it just had the edge over the plans that we had previously made. With imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, we aim to flatter our neighbour immensely!
Digging for Victory!!
We've only had the allotment since May 2009 so this will be our first complete year as we try to produce lots of wholesome vegetables and fruits whilst at the same time getting lots of healthy exercise (Isn't digging just great??!!)
If we're thinking retro, think "The Good Life" 2010 style.
So far we have prepared most of the ground at the allotment which we intend to cultivate this year and will get some weed repressing membrane down soon to try and keep everything in good condition for when we plant out various seedlings, get the potatoes in or sow seeds direct into the soil.
Inspired by the neighbouring allotmenteer (well, actually, lifting his design directly!) Stuart and I now have the ultimate design for a fruit cage - inexpensive and quick to construct yet sturdy enough to do the job and the aim is to get it completed by the end of March. In the meantime we have already earmarked lots of raspberry plants in the garden that will soon find themselves transported to the allotment, thus allowing (mainly) Linda to concentrate on a garden redesign and redevelopment (of which more news later).
The final construction work at the allotment will consist of the setting up of at least two small deep beds there (moved from their current position in the garden) so that we can get things ready for an April planting of asparagus plants which we hope will thrive and produce asparagus for us for several years to come.
If we're thinking retro, think "The Good Life" 2010 style.
So far we have prepared most of the ground at the allotment which we intend to cultivate this year and will get some weed repressing membrane down soon to try and keep everything in good condition for when we plant out various seedlings, get the potatoes in or sow seeds direct into the soil.
Inspired by the neighbouring allotmenteer (well, actually, lifting his design directly!) Stuart and I now have the ultimate design for a fruit cage - inexpensive and quick to construct yet sturdy enough to do the job and the aim is to get it completed by the end of March. In the meantime we have already earmarked lots of raspberry plants in the garden that will soon find themselves transported to the allotment, thus allowing (mainly) Linda to concentrate on a garden redesign and redevelopment (of which more news later).
The final construction work at the allotment will consist of the setting up of at least two small deep beds there (moved from their current position in the garden) so that we can get things ready for an April planting of asparagus plants which we hope will thrive and produce asparagus for us for several years to come.
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