CatsCube Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 eah same here mine gets sun for most of the day where as my back garden is mostly in shade. I dont know how the neighbours would feel about it though as generally they are not a thing of beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 OMG Im so disappointed I just called asking again and although it wasnt someone from the allotment team, they said that the waiting lists were about 18 months Thanks for the tip chickencam, I will look into private ones now. Similar thing happened to me - I called the council and was told 2-3 years, so I rang up the secretary of our nearest allotments (found his number on the web), went round for a cup of tea and a chat and two days later I had a small starter plot (about a third of a standard allotment) My front garden is north-facing, so I don't use it for growing much, apart from some lavender, rosemary and thyme in a small bed that does get some sun. Veg gardens don't have to be ugly, though, if you choose the right plants: * runner beans - they were originally grown for their flowers, not to eat. "Painted Lady" is a particularly attractive old variety with white and scarlet flowers * different-coloured lettuces look pretty arranged in rows or blocks * courgettes have big yellow flowers (although the leaves are prone to powdery mildew, which is harmless but can leave them looking a bit tatty - try spraying them with diluted milk!) * you can grow garlic and let it flower - but snap off the flowerheads as soon as they've opened (nice in stirfries) or you'll get smaller bulbs * bush tomatoes - or tumbling cherry toms in hanging baskets - are fairly tidy and colourful * most veg benefits from companion planting with flowers, which should brighten up the plot - try nigella (love-in-a-mist) with carrots, nasturtiums with beans, or marigolds with just about anything! Hope this helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 some are just beautiful! try chilli peppers in a pot by the door, with some trailing lobelia round the edge. You could have a runnerbean archway across the gate....super quick to grow, beautiful red and white flowers and lidls have cheap rose arches on sale this week for under a fiver (bet your neighbours pinch a few beans though). A small trough of red and green lettuces, spring onions and radishes looks dead pretty if you include a few marigolds. strawberries or cherry tomatoes in hanging baskets by the front door? carrots have lovely, feathery foliage...a perfect backdrop to so many flowers....bulb fennel does too. Once you get away from regimented rows, vegetables make beautiful plants. Think 'English cottage garden' rather than allotment, be a bit adventurous, plant in old chamberpots and things! above all....have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 You could have a runnerbean archway across the gate....super quick to grow, beautiful red and white flowers and lidls have cheap rose arches on sale this week for under a fiver (bet your neighbours pinch a few beans though). Runner beans are so prolific, you probably won't miss a few unless your neighbours turn up with carrier bags! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 When I have emailed OH and he is up for the idea. He liked the idea of smart raised link-a-bord raised beds with gravel walk ways between them. The idea of mixing flowers with the veg is great too. I have been googling potage gardens and it looks ideal. Thanks for the ideas ladies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 The Link-a-Bord beds do look very neat and tidy, and if the chickens are in the back garden, you should be safe with gravel paths Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 hanging baskets area great idea for chillies and tomatoes. We grow Tumbler tomatoes every year with lobelia aroung the edge and they look beautiful they also ripen early and give you lovely sweet cherry toms much nicer than the newer variety Tumbling Tom. I also grow herbs like basil, parsley and coriander in a window box under the kitchen window Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Did you manage to get any "Tumbler" seed this year, Liz? The Organic Catalogue were only selling "Tumbling Tom", and I read on another website that there had been a seed crop failure (not surprising given the weather last year!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 oh no I hadn't heard that, we normally buy about 4 plants 2 mid to end of march and 2 more a month or so later to give us a longer season. We grew them from seed when they first came out but they were really expensive for only about 6 - 8 seeds, we don't have a heated greenhouse only a propergator which we have to use with the camping electrics in the summerhouse which is not really light enough so we find it easier to buy the plants from a garden centre down the road which sells quite a range of tomato varieties. We also do this with both chillies and peppers where we only want a few plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 OMG Im so disappointed I just called asking again and although it wasnt someone from the allotment team, they said that the waiting lists were about 18 months Thanks for the tip chickencam, I will look into private ones now. Also do you think it would be acceptable to turn a front garden into a veg garden. Or does that sound really weird! Our back garden is far to small, especially with the chicken run taking up a third of it. But our front garden is a reasonable size and just grass, wasted space really. It would make life easier to be able to use it then the kids can come and go helping me or stay inside. We dont have a problem with people walking past much as its a closed estate, plus I see everyone walking past as we have no net curtains and I look stright out the window. one of my neighbours has his veg garden at the front, he is an elderly chap & by the summer it looks fantastic wonderful colourful climbing beans & peas pots of flowers & a climbing rose, he has two long raised beds full of all sorts of produce. He began his garden during the war & has kept it growing ever since, his back garden is really tiny so he has a patio & a few pots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Well the OH has said yes so today I have been measuring up and working out what I can do. it looks like I will be able to pop in 7 2x1m raised beds and I will have few large sack planters and bits on the paving too for growing strawberries and potatoes and bits. Really looking forward to this and will be no doubt picking all your brains for info and advice on different fruit and veg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Wow Catscube, thats a lot of planting space! I would love to turn the rest of the garden over to veggies. My veggie garden is quite bare in winter as the winter crops didn't do very well Hopefully this year will be better. In summer it looks lovely! All the best for the growing season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
