Forum | Allotments (Non QPR) by BazzaInTheLoft

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Allotments (Non QPR) 16:22 - Jun 11 with 4462 views

BazzaInTheLoft

My number just came up on the waiting list. Tips and hints please!

Allotments (Non QPR) on 15:18 - Jun 18 with 612 views

ted_hendrix

Allotments (Non QPR) on 09:55 - Jun 18 by BklynRanger

How long did you have to wait for Bazza, just out of interest? I

I've thought about it but wouldn't really be up for the intensive growing and tending bit, not at this point anyway. More interested in scattering a few hardy perennials around, comfy chair, three or four socially distanced hours away from the old ball and chain.

Don't know if that's acceptable or would you be shunned by the hoard?

Can I offer some advice Higgingbottom? just a few things to bear in mind before you enter the world of parsnips and mingetout (sorry mangetout).

You'll need a shed commonly known as the 'Man Shed' large enough for you with a sign on the door that says 'Men only', a reclining and folding beach type chair, a device for playing music through cordless headphones, obviously a pair of hobnail boots, a bucket with some small gardening tools, a shovel and a fork and a few 'how to' gardening books strewn about the place, always keep your 'Man shed' untidy then when you get visitors it'll look like you've been busy.

If at all possible a small camping stove, travelling kettle a cool box and an assortment of various teas from around the World, when you fancy a cuppa, no problem.

Take my word for it Higgingbottom It's just great taking an afternoon nap in a warm shed.

Last thing, when you get home always tell the Missus that you think you might have done your back in and you might have overdone it, that way she'll leave you alone and might even take a small amount of pity on you, (always a good idea to limp just a bit).

My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic.

Allotments (Non QPR) on 16:03 - Jun 18 with 592 views

BazzaInTheLoft

Allotments (Non QPR) on 15:18 - Jun 18 by ted_hendrix

Also, when she asks you where all the produce is, don’t forget to take the Sainsbury’s label off of everything.

Allotments (Non QPR) on 23:22 - Jun 18 with 543 views

OakR

I've had mine about 3 years and just taken on a second one.

If the plot is not too bad with perrenial weeds like bindweed and couch grass etc you could avoid digging it over and looking into No Dig - google Charles Dowding. I've not tried it other than on a small patch of land (which worked very well) but plan to move to that method next year.

I wish when I started I'd planned it better like I was told to - it does make it easier long-term. Look at where the sun rises falls, decide where you want your shed, permanent crops etc. Beware birds etc can eat a lof of fruit so you may need netting etc dependant on what you grow.

My advice is grow what you like to eat, and try a few different things each year. for us, you can't beat tomatoes and all the different varieties you can grow, the test compared to shops ones is incredible.

Easy crops to start with are beans, peas and potatoes.

Best advice I got was when I was told 'everyone has their way of doing things' - it's all a learning experience and you'll get contradictory advice that might both work.

Last bit of advice - if you decide to dig over the plot -start with an area and just try to clear that, then move to another area. Makes it more manageable - took me 3 years to nearly fully clear my plot. Try and cover the rest in weed membrane, or cardboard as this will stop weeds growing and weed seeds landing.

Good luck!

Poll:

Will we stay up?

Allotments (Non QPR) on 08:45 - Jun 19 with 520 views

R_from_afar

Allotments (Non QPR) on 08:55 - Jun 13 by CiderwithRsie

Blackberries are a waste of time. Somewhere near you is a patch of waste land covered in brambles where you can get them for free.

Raspberries however are excellent - easy to grow, permanent bushes if you're into the permaculture lark, essentially vertical crops so good for use of space, not many diseases or pests. You can go for early and autumn varieties to spread the season and try some varieties you won't get in the shops like Allgold. Hybrids such as loganberries are excellent too but you'll need to provide supports.

Blackcurrants and redcurrants also give big crops, worth looking at half-standard bushes (bit pricier but a lot easier to harvest.) Gooseberry is another pretty easy heavy cropper.

All those more expensive than growing from seed obviously but worth it for the long-term investment IMO.

Spuds are pretty easy and can be a good way of clearing weeds in your first year - you have to dig the whole plot over to get them in in the first place, the leaves help suppress weeds while they grow, and then you dig the whole thing over again to harvest them. And they keep.

If you eat spinach or similar chard is easy and will look after itself once established.Will happily grow under fruit trees if you're allowed trees (some allotments you aren't, God knows why not.)

And the more manure you can get on the better.

I don't have an allotment but I have a garden I have set up with wildlife in mind. I have planted loads of herbs, mainly those which also benefit wildlife as well as humans. I also planted a blackberry bush, not a cultivar but the British native plant. It cost buttons.

Now, whilst people are absolutely correct to say that they are rampant, they are one of *the* best plants for pollinators but more importantly for this thread, one plant can produce a huge crop of amazing tasting fruit and.....it won't need any watering or other care once established.

"Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1."

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