Tara.F Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 and start investing in low maintenance perrenials! look for lottie neighbours with globe artichokes and ask if they'll give you a couple of 'offsets' when the time comes to split their plants. most will be only to happy to oblige! and watch out for cheap fruit canes in wilkos, woolworths and ldols. They'll be selling them off cheap in the next couple of weeks and though you'll not get fruit from them this year, you'll have a wonderful, productive little hedge established to shade lettuces and such next season. one last thing...you just have time to sow your purple sprouting brocolli, parsnips and leeks if you want a good winter/early spring crop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 It looks lovely Lost of hard work to get it to the standard of your neighbours I have to say I admire your dedication but we all know how determined you are Very chuffed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 one last thing...you just have time to sow your purple sprouting brocolli, parsnips and leeks if you want a good winter/early spring crop It sounds as if you know what you are talking about Tara....I could do with more guidance of this sort...have you got any more tips!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Great news on getting the allotment karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 4, 2007 Share Posted May 4, 2007 Those useful looking blue drums that allotmenteers use..what are they and where do you get them from? Any one know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Wow, Martin! I wish I had an allotment, but there aren't many round where I live and the closest one is near one of Mum's old workmates, which is still quite a long bike ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 I've put an update on my blog: It's easier to upload photos on to there! http://www.martin-blyth.vox.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 What a lot of work you've been doing Martin Its all looking great, i wish i had soil that looks as good as yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Looks good Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Wow Martin! You have worked so hard already. Thought I hadn't seen you on here much lately Keep up the good work and enjoy your new project. P.s have left a comment on your blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 Well I put in 3 rows of onions yesterday and about 1/4 of them have been picked up and thrown around by the pigeons! My Dad noticed them when he went to do some raking for me! So when I came home from school there was a huge birdscarer in the garden. It's basically 2 poles with cds that rotate, I'll take a picture when the rainy days have passed! I had loads planned for tonight but unfortunately we've had/having some heavy rain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 Old cds/dvds are great as bird scarers ... having said that Mrs Snowy admires herself in mine . Remeber to save any free rubbish ones from the papers ..... ideal as they are free and you recycle them into something useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 That's mainly the ones we have used Sarah! Who wants to watch that tat anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 ... agreed. So far the big fat pidgeon who is nesting right opposite my sweetcorn, has kept away ..... so they must be working ... just the vanity of hens creates interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 It's looking great Martin - well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 What a lot of work you have done - it looks brill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 9, 2007 Share Posted May 9, 2007 That soil looks good Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 A few more pictures then! I've been up the allotment for the majority of today. I'm still playing catch up, because I got my allotment quite late, therefore I am having to cheat a bit. I went to a nursery today and bought another pepper plant, 6 red cabbage plants, 24 leek plants, 12 runner bean plants and 2 cucumber plants. They've all been planted and here are a few pictures. At least next year I will have more time before hand to get all seeds up and running! Above is a row of leeks, not bad value at £1.25 for 24 leek plants, they are all a good size and really healthy! Here is the red cabbage under a net. Here is the netted area in general. Under the nets are white cabbage (grown myself), cauliflower (grown myself) and red cabbage (bought in). They are all under net to avoid the neighbouring pigeons eating them! They've already dug up some of the onions! The next photo is of my bird scarer, it rotates as the wind blows and makes the birds flea. Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Martin you are doing a grand job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 Thanks Emma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 I'm amazed at your progress and determination. I wouldn't know where to start. I got a few raised beds this year and have planted some lettuce and garlic and a few other bits. It's sort of - if it grows we keep it but if not ((shrug)) not lost anything. My stuff seems to be a bonus if we can eat anything.. and we have had a few lettuce. I'm in awe... and want to watch it develop more With great respect and best wishes in your accomplishments Jxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 Thanks Jaime, I hope you have a successful harvest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 You are going to need a 2nd compost bin soon Martin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 12, 2007 Author Share Posted May 12, 2007 I know! It's overflowing! I'm going to get one of the larger council ones for £10, and a caddy for £2 so that I can put all the s"Ooops, word censored!"s from home in it to take up the allotment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I know! It's overflowing! I'm going to get one of the larger council ones for £10 Why don't you have a go at making one yourself Martin? They're really easy to build. You just need some s"Ooops, word censored!"s of wood a few nails, some chicken wire and a small sheet of corrugated plastic/metal. You could try getting hold of the materials from your local freecycle. You basically make a wooden frame and nail chicken wire around the frame at the bottom, preferably not nailing on one side at the front so you can open it a bit to make turning a bit easier! This can be shut with some bend nails which have been hammered in loosely, so you can turn them. You could even make a shelf above the compost heap with some more wood to store plant pots and things and then attach a roof made out of the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
