Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: robinahood on January 01, 2018, 11:05

Title: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on January 01, 2018, 11:05
On New Years Eve tacked the huge  vine which has been smothering the roof of the home made greenhouse we inherited on the plot, with a view to rescuing it for use. You can actually see right through it now, very pleasing!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on January 06, 2018, 15:27
Sorted all three greenhouses ready for the new season, all tidy shelves back up ready for seed trays just need to wash them down now

Cut the autumn raspberry canes down,pruned an apple tree and generally tidied up.
Put some muck on the rhubarb.

Beds still too wet to start the digging.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 06, 2018, 16:03
measure up for the timber for the raised beds that i will be doing next week hopefully. topped up the compost bins with kitchen waste and cleanings from the rabbit hutch

now decided that timber and bark paths are the way to go, wheeling slabs up the hill doesnt  sound appealing
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mjg000 on January 07, 2018, 10:33
Hi,  I think we all tend to sow tomatoes and peppers far too early and there will be some on here who say they always wait until late march and that it makes no difference to the productivity if you do but in my experience over the last couple of years, it is the level of good light you can provide that prevents tomatoes from getting too leggy. Last year I had a new conservatory with plenty of light in all directions and they grew strongly giving me early tomatoes.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 07, 2018, 12:03
Took down a bin full of of ashes to add to compost bin 2

Dug up a row of huge parsnips which otherwise would have been buried under one of the new paths.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 07, 2018, 18:27
Took down two bins full to the compost heap.

Cleared out the polytunnel ready for the first early spuds to go in at the end of the month.

Surveyed the two plots and decided what needs to be done and what needs to be tackled first.

Came home and cleared out seed boxes.

Plan on sowing onion seed tomorrow.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on January 07, 2018, 20:11
Checked all the stored produce in the shed.  I Tromba squash and 1 spaghetti squash has small soft patches on the skin, so they have been chopped, roasted and stashed in the freezer.

Checked the remaining 3 sacks of spuds.  Only 1 Kifli and 1 Sarpo Axono needed binning out of the whole lot  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on January 08, 2018, 09:15
Added some kitchen scraps to the compost bin. Spent some time on the chainsaw and axe, next winters log pile is under way. I've nearly finished eating my home grown shallots, both the pickled and dried variety!
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mumofstig on January 08, 2018, 11:18
Found my dalek bin lids, which went missing during the last storm, and weighed them down with bricks and also put more on weed cover which was flapping about a bit.
Made another attempt to dig up my very early rhubarb, trying to move it to the new plot, but it is still resisting, and it has already started budding  :ohmy: I might need to get some manly assistance, although I hate to be beaten  ::)

Took home potatoes - one of the Sarpos, don't know which one, from the new plot, plus leeks and swede from the old plot.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 08, 2018, 14:18
Dug out for the new paths, and placed timber edgings to form the raised beds, ran out of timber  :(
weather permitting i hope to complete the timber edgings tomorrow and hopefully fingers crossed put landscape fabric and bark to the paths.
I will be glad when its all about planting and weeding  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on January 08, 2018, 15:27
Trundled there with my trusty steed aka my wheelbarrow with all the kitchen peelings since before I became ill at Christmas,loaded it all into compost bin no.1. Harvested some things,see separate thread
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 08, 2018, 16:26
Dug out for the new paths, and placed timber edgings to form the raised beds, ran out of timber  :(
weather permitting i hope to complete the timber edgings tomorrow and hopefully fingers crossed put landscape fabric and bark to the paths.
I will be glad when its all about planting and weeding  :D

under the plastic is my ready manured beds which once the timberwork and paths are completed i will be further topping up with soil.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: rowlandwells on January 08, 2018, 17:17
far to wet on the plot so light the fire in the greenhouse and spent the day there I did helping my O/H cleaning and sorting pots still plenty of jobs in the greenhouses keeping warm is the main thing so I keep feeding that fire with plenty of tea  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on January 08, 2018, 21:04
Finaly started to dig the beds over, been far too wet last few weeks/ months but by the eck I have eaten too many mince pies and I was propper goosed, talk about unfit!
Planned what and where is going to grown.
Had a chat with chooks and gave them greens and fresh worms.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Dev on January 09, 2018, 17:07
Too wet to do much in the way of digging, but cleaned up a lot of old leaves from sprouts, cabbages etc., chucked out some lettuce that had had it and hand weeded the raised beds. How come the weeds can still grow when everything else is dormant? harvested a nice parsnip, some leeks that look more like spring onions and a bag of salad from mizzuna, mustards and chard. The compost bin smells a bit iffy, so I probably haven't put enough brown in with the green. Hardly anyone else down on the lotties - nice and peaceful. Worked out what jobs really need doing, then decided I would go down the club for a pint. Retirement isn't all bad!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 09, 2018, 17:45
As hoped i managed to finish off the timberwork to the last bed and also put bark around all paths , so a very happy chappy tonight.

tomorrow morning i hope to import some soil into bed 2 which is low and generally  rake the soil back to the timber edges to tidy up a bit.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 10, 2018, 12:17
well due to the frost and freezing cold we didn't get as much done as i hoped, we didn't start until just before 11 and just did 1.5 hours, we leveled bed 5 out and thats looking great, we also did half of bed 2 but that was quite enough for today  there is always tomorrow.
the new layout is working well though with plenty of room on the paths to barrow and walk all beds can be reached from all sides - AB FAB !!!
the manure under the black plastic has a layer of ice on top of it so it froze more than forecast last night.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 14, 2018, 13:10
a far better morning today to do something on the plot :D It actually felt warm enough to be a spring morning, soil still damp though.

Bed 1 is now ready for planting , the levels in the new beds have been made up by manure placed on top of the previous soil then another layer made up of turfs and sods placed upside down, this bed is now totally covered with black plastic. this will be my squash and marrow bed for this coming season

bed 2 i have also topped up the levels on this today with good salvaged soil from the old paths,  covered with black plastic for now, my peas, beetroot and swedes are going in here this season

bed 4  this bed too has also been topped up today with salvaged soil and is ready for planting, this will be my carrots and parsnips bed this coming season

I also raked out some spare soil behind the plot adjacent to the compost bins which we are going to plant up with flowers this year , so a very busy but enjoyable morning.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on January 14, 2018, 15:20
Seeds have arrived so decided as it is tropical today here Blackpool I would get the broad bean ready and get them underway.
Tidied up a little, picked some kale and a swede for tea.
Fed chucks and gave em some greens.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on January 14, 2018, 16:35
Hubby suggested this morning that we went to the plot & he’d put the guttering back up on both sheds( I took it down when I repainted then the weather changed & it didn’t get done), I gave it all a wash before he put it up. Then I harvested parsnips,Brussels & more purple sprouting broccoli.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on January 14, 2018, 21:59
Me, The Wife and the kids collected seaweed and spread it about on the bed for the spuds. Had to push the wheel barrow up hill with the girl in at the plot to fetch the seaweed bags; who needs the gym with this hobby!  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on January 15, 2018, 05:31
Yesterday finally finished getting the brick and stone shed foundations out to make space for my fruit area. The mattock we bought when we got the plot has been a good purchase! Also harvested some Brussels and Jerusalem artichoke - decided to grow this in a barrel this year as it was prolific. Pruned ancient neglected vine to its final size ready to train onto a frame once we have made it.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on January 15, 2018, 09:56
Put some ash on the plot, and some paper in the compost bin.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Nana1 on January 15, 2018, 21:04
First visit of the new year....cant wait to get started but to wet,just had a check on sheds etc everything in order..need a dry day to cut down green manure :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mumofstig on January 16, 2018, 20:26
I decided to take the potted fig tree to the plot, it was beginning to get in the way in the garden tbh.
Took it round on the trolley and decided where it would go, then came back home to get the new/bigger pot to put it in.

Now I need to get a couple of bags of soil-based compost to finish the job  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 19, 2018, 11:07
I have only managed one trip up since the start of the year but plan to spend as much time a possible up there this weekend.

Today I am off to the Garden Centre to get some first early seed spuds for planting in the PT and also some onion and sweet pea seed to replace the ones eaten by the mouse in the greenhouse.  He didn't actually eat the onion seeds but he got into the seed tray after they had germinated and burrowed around it looking for seeds and destroyed all the lovely newly germinated seedlings!!  I have sealed the propagator so he can't get in this time.  Mamamoth sowing session when I get back because I want to start a few bits off for early planting out in the PT.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 20, 2018, 20:30
big plans for today ruined due to the weather   :mad:  oh well theres always next week
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on January 20, 2018, 21:13
Same here, too wet to do anything. Picked up some compost to sow some onion seed either tonight or tomorrow.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 21, 2018, 15:03
I ventured up to the plot but only stayed for an hour as it was very wet and I was nervous about driving home due to flooding on the roads.  I manage to get a bit of tidying done in the poly tunnel and I must say I feel great after spending the hour in fabulous solitude🤗🤗
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: marky55 on January 21, 2018, 23:36
well went to the plot today and checked out 'sum hole' (tells us how high the ground water is) 2 inches below the surface and was still raining so went in polytunnel and did a little bit of tidying up. Just hoping for a break in this rain then maybe the water level might drop enough to do some digging. going to try and get some onions sown tomorrow trying out soil blocks for the first time so wish me luck.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on January 22, 2018, 10:24
Added some manure to the compost bin!
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on January 25, 2018, 20:17
Dropped off some green waste and put it in a compost bin.  Paddled around in the mud pacing out my planned extension to the fenced area and worked out how many posts I needed.

The soil was far too wet to do anything else, so came home and got on with some more pruning. 

Repotted my pink peppercorn bush, which has been surprisingly happy in the unheated greenhouse all winter.  Also knocked the mint out of its pot, cut off a likely chunk and repotted it.  Potted on Mountain Mint seedlings (a new herb for me) and Rakkyo seedlings (a Japanese multiplier onion).

Then went a bit wild and got the propagator out.  Sowed aubergines and peppers, then forced myself to stop.  Its all very well sowing seeds, but the windowsills are only so big  ::)  :nowink:  :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 28, 2018, 10:39
just waiting for a load of horse muck to be delivered in the next hour  ready for  winter 2018/ spring 2019 its too fresh for using for this growing year- hows that for forward planning :lol:
worst bit is wheeling it uphill to my plot in the rain which im not looking forward to  :(
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 28, 2018, 10:58
Planted the strawberry plant back into the polytunnel and started tidying up the Dahlias.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on January 28, 2018, 13:56
just waiting for a load of horse muck to be delivered in the next hour  ready for  winter 2018/ spring 2019 its too fresh for using for this growing year- hows that for forward planning :lol:
worst bit is wheeling it uphill to my plot in the rain which im not looking forward to  :(

All done it ended up as 32 bags, serious amount of straw in it so ive taken a chance and laid  4 bags on the onion bed  ( this equated to 3 inches deep)  and will cover with 4 inches of  compost and probably a serious dose of chicken pellets to make up for the possible nitrogen loss.

I will have another 30 plus bags in about a months time that then should be ample for  winter 2018/ spring 2019  no dig  beds, i must however extend my  compost pallets to hold all of this . so the next job is to beg or borrow three more pallets
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on January 28, 2018, 22:39
Added 2 buckets of kitchen peelings to the compost bin,harvested.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on January 29, 2018, 22:31
Reconstructed part of the path next to my neighbor over the weekend. I still have a large pile of soil at the bottom of the plot to make way for a swing. I also pruned the grapevines.

The New Year's Resolution of getting to the plot/doing something allotment related is going well. I've had to make this as my three year old and six month old have been a distraction these past couple of years. The plot looked so much better a few years ago  :D.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Beloved Porcupine on January 30, 2018, 13:15
I am still recovering from the flu and a chest infection (three weeks!), so no going outside yet >:(

The sunshine was pulling on me however.  So I sat at the table and did a seed inventory and decided to try to use up some open packets by planting microgreens in some old takeaway boxes that were punched with holes.  Peas, kale, spinach, chard, radish, rocket, spring onion.  Will anything come of it?  Maybe...but I felt like I did something garden-y.   :D  Hopefully I'll have something to add to late winter salads.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on January 30, 2018, 18:25
OH had the day off so we went and got the wood for the new raised carrot bed.  We got the first layer of it made and leveled off so the rest of the layer should go up very easily.  I did a bit of weeding as well.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on February 03, 2018, 17:37
just waiting for a load of horse muck to be delivered in the next hour  ready for  winter 2018/ spring 2019 its too fresh for using for this growing year- hows that for forward planning :lol:
worst bit is wheeling it uphill to my plot in the rain which im not looking forward to  :(

All done it ended up as 32 bags, serious amount of straw in it so ive taken a chance and laid  4 bags on the onion bed  ( this equated to 3 inches deep)  and will cover with 4 inches of  compost and probably a serious dose of chicken pellets to make up for the possible nitrogen loss.

I will have another 30 plus bags in about a months time that then should be ample for  winter 2018/ spring 2019  no dig  beds, i must however extend my  compost pallets to hold all of this . so the next job is to beg or borrow three more pallets


Today i started putting the compost over the onion bed until the rain came, will hopefully finish this off tomorrow. all told i have 700lts to wheel up hill and lay on this bed.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on February 04, 2018, 21:14
Continued shoring up the path.A couple more hours next week should do it. Also had a fire and did some strimming.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on February 05, 2018, 05:13
Did lots yesterday. The wind was in the right direction for a bonfire, so fed my oil drum brambles etc. New fruit area coming on, put in rhubarb and plot neighbour offered some raspberry canes, duly p!anted. Put in some broad beans and onion sets.  Mulched around fruit bushes.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on February 05, 2018, 09:00
Got a good bit done.  Finished off the carrot/parsnip bed.  Finished cleaning the strawberry bed and topped it up With some compost.  Cleared out some very old and woody herbs from the bed in front of the poly tunnel I just have to remove some more roots from it and then top the bed up and plant the roses I have at home for it.  Planted first earlies in the PT.  OH put a new lock on the second shed and moved all the bigger equipment into it so that I can put the seed spuds on the shelves in the other shed to chit.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on February 05, 2018, 09:24
As it was bit drier than usual I Dug a bit of ash into the veg patch.
Cheers
Aled 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on February 05, 2018, 16:43
Nearly finished covering the polytunnel before it was time to do the school run. Should have it finished tomorrow morning. Not long till I'll be sowing under cover again  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: MarkC on February 05, 2018, 17:35
Almost finished digging over .... :) . Dug up a few Kestrel spuds which I must have missed when lifting them last August/Sept. All in good nick bar one with slug/worm damage. Big ones too.

Limed area designated for brassicas.

Lifted remaining parsnips for storing. Only leeks, a few sprouts and a little cavolo nero and PSB left now.

Absolutely BALTIC.....feet just about thawing out now. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: ilan on February 06, 2018, 09:50
Dont know about global warming , but down here its been a wet but mild winter The dafs are now in flower and yesterday I cut the grass !  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on February 06, 2018, 13:44
Headed down the plot for a full day of work, but that was curtailed when I pulled my bicep whilst finishing tensioning the tunnel cover  :mad:
Got a support and some ice on it and hoping that it's not too serious and I can get down the plot again before the end of the week.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: candygold1 on February 10, 2018, 11:36
took a walk upto the plot after a couple of months of neglect due to personal reasons and was quite shocked to see it almost as i left it apart from the elephant garlic is about 6 inch high. it gave me the motivation i needed to get down garden center and order my seed pots and shallots.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: gstrong on February 10, 2018, 16:32
Had been testing to see whether a fleece or polythene cloche worked better over winter on my wee plot...
Today I have discovered that a local cat has decided to take up residence in the fleece cloche.... I think the polythene one wins by default ;-)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on February 12, 2018, 10:36
Managed to get an hour at the plot on Saturday and two hours yesterday.  Bitterly cold but got a bit done.  Saturday we brought up compost and sand.  Got the carrot/parsnip bed filled and I did some weeding around the poly tunnel.  Yesterday we brought a trailer of well rotted manure up and spread that on two of the potato beds.  OH also got the wood edging on the long bed along the fence finished while I weeded around the PT and the fruit beds.  We then picked up a trailer load of logs for the fire at home.  I was sad to discover that my plot neighbor appears to have given up, his two polytunnels and shed are gone and his chicken coup is all pulled apart as well.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on February 15, 2018, 23:39
Cold, but bright and sunny day today. Got a full day down the plot for the first time in ages. Had to lay some boards down over the paths as they've turned to a muddy bog. Woodchip deployment imminent  :D

Now the polytunnel is sturdy and stable I set about building the beds and chipping the paths. The bright sunshine meant that the tunnel hit a high of 18c, so it was t-shirt working, much to the amusement of my plot neighbours who were layered up to the heavens and still cold! Tommorrow I'll be rough digging the beds and then applying a huge load of homemade compost (full of worms) and the last of my Greengrow compost. I'll cover that lot with carboard for a week or so to warm the soil and then the Boy and I shall sow our first radishes and turnips.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on February 16, 2018, 07:39
Earlier this week I completed  shoring up the path, mowed the grass and finally got around to the 'Autumn' tidy up.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on February 18, 2018, 08:14
Well it was yesterday really. Plot has some gaps in the hedges so I intended to plant hawthorn. Turned out a bigger job than expected, had to remove 2 layers of buried carpet, one sound and one rotten. Just when I think all the rubbish is gone..... Anyway,  I am aching today and haven't finished!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on February 18, 2018, 17:28
This weekend it actually did not rain during the day, so off we went to get stuck in. First job was a lengthy polytunnel repair following wind damage which separated the cover along the stitches. I got some wide polytunnel repair tape to do the job, so hopefully it will last. Then pulled a load of leeks up and tidied the shed. Today i dug up a load of tired celery, dug one bed over and added a load of compost over it from one of the composters. Then turned the composters and topped them up. Dug another bed about halfway (they are about 7x4 feet). Pulled up weeds and mote general tidying. That'll be it until next weekend.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Silva on February 18, 2018, 18:38
Yesterday I dug out a new bed, weeded around the raised beds and laid down woodchip to prevent regrowth, planted some shallots and started weeding one of the beds where the previous plot owner appears to have put in a couple of strawberry plants- hopefully they will provide some fruit this year!

Today I've laid in bed with flu and missed the lovely weather and an opportunity to get the plot ready for spring :(
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on February 19, 2018, 10:11
Didn't get anything done over the weekend as OH and Son were getting ready to go away working for the next two to three months (they both will be home every 10 days or so but only for short visits).  I did go to a snowdrop fair on my way down to drop them off and I bought 200 snowdrops in the green to put in the garden.  Have them sorted out here and I will pop them in later.  Going up to the plot later, I want to start the spuds chitting and I am going to pop my shallots into modules to get them started as their bed is too wet to dig at the moment.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on February 24, 2018, 19:09
Finished turning the compost bin, spread out 2 bags of manure from last year on bed 6. Hoed & raked bed 5. Harvested leeks,carrots & parsnips & pruned down 1 clump of chrysanthemums. Got very cold.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on February 24, 2018, 21:33
Took a trip to the plot and found that my plot neighbour was also mad enough to brave the cold and go to the allotments. Drank plenty of tea, did a bit of weeding and planted my shallots under an enviromesh cloche. I was suprised at how workable the soil is already, shame it's too cold to do anything yet!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on February 25, 2018, 12:49
Built an extension to my compost areas with pallets and filled it with horse muck and straw dug the small area where we are planting some spuds and came home to warm up :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on February 25, 2018, 17:06
First proper visit since October last year due to ill health but plot looking ok so hard work from last year has kept things under control.
Pruned gooseberry bushes and logenberry bush. Frame for logenberry was falling apart so dismantled that and need to sort out wood for new frame.
Going to divide plot more with paths this year so started with first path dividing allotment down the middle.
Next visit can start digging.
Apple tree that I inherited when took over full plot last year was on a complete lean so pruned and propped it upright and weeded around it.
Have a regular supply now of rabbit poo and bedding so first builders sack full was spread on weed free area.
Shame weather is due to be so bad next week as have a few days of work and am raring to go  :D

 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on February 25, 2018, 17:23
Another couple of hours spent in solitude,bliss. Harvested the last of the parsnips, took lots of photos,pruned autumn raspberries. Dismantled, emptied & repositioned green Johanna compost bin, moved leaf mold container to allow for this.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Dev on February 25, 2018, 18:18
At last able to get on the plot and do a bit of digging. What a lovely day - birds singing, me singing (with pain from the aching back). Managed to start on constructing the second greenhouse until the drill battery ran out. Replaced three glass panes in first greenhouse, broken by the delightful little darlings of the neighbourhood, with polycarbonate so hoping they can't do it again. Then sat in the G/H to have my flask of coffee laced with spiced rum. Nearly didn't get going again, but managed to harvest a few leeks, a cabbage and some kale. Looks like we're in for some nasty weather so might not be able to get on again for a week or so. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on February 25, 2018, 20:58
Digging out lots of rubbish from the bank at the bottom of my plot and composted a bed with the which was couch grass pile eight years a go when I cleared the plot. I have a make-shift leaf mulch bin constructed from wire link fence which is buried in the bank still though  :unsure: I need the area cleared for compost bins and a swing for the kids when they visit.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: gstrong on February 26, 2018, 12:26
Has a spare hour so popped along and dug out three big buckets worth of rubble & glass from a spot that hadn't been cleared yet. Slow going but worth it in the long run I reckon :-)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on February 27, 2018, 19:37
Made a start digging the plot over today,first bed is the spud bed which is dug and muck spread.
Planted me Broad beans into their bed and covered with netting.
Had a chat with the chuckles, not sure if she understood the new family memers are arriving next Monday.
Sowed some early beetroots.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on February 27, 2018, 21:22
Just got back from a late night plot visit to brush the snow off the polytunnel. The lock on the gate was frozen so I had to jump the fence to get in! At least none of the neighbouring houses called the old bill....
The tunnel was already  down to -2.5 (from a high of 18.2) and the outdoor temp down to -5c
Time to pour a warming glass of brandy and continue my revised sowing schedule for the year.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: freefolk on March 01, 2018, 16:05
NOTHING.......stared out the window from which I can see it! I swear I can hear my garlic cheering and shouting.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 03, 2018, 16:03
I was tramping about across Reading today, so swung by the plot to check for damage.  All OK I am glad to say with all the cages still standing.  Everything is looking a bit bedraggled after the snow, which is very rapidly melting away here today, but that is to be expected.

Just checked my various routes and that is about 6 miles walked, so I'm getting my legs in gear for some gardening once we dry out a bit  :D

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mikem on March 03, 2018, 16:11
Popped down this morning, but nothing needed doing.  Couldn't see a weed anywhere! :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 03, 2018, 16:49
Quick plot inspection today, cleared the snow off the tunnel.
Noticed a neighbouring plot's greenhouse had popped one of it's twinwall sheets so I put it back in for them and brushed the snow off top while I was at it.
It'll take a few days for the snow to melt I think, so it's just waiting for the night time temps to creep back up before I can start sowing my broad beans, peas, etc in pots.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Silva on March 04, 2018, 16:56
Came down to  the plot today to see the plastic greenhouse we erected and lined the floor of last weekend had disappeared! Or rather the cover *and* frame had sailed away and landed about four plots down :ohmy: Feeling a tad embarrassed, although fortunately I don't think we squashed anything.  It had been dug into the ground so we were quite surprised!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on March 04, 2018, 17:08
Quick inspection today.  No damage thankfully.  Potatoes seem to be chitting away happily.  Only worry is the garlic in the PT, some of the leaves are gone yellow, they may have gotten a blast of icy wind as the plastic lifted from the top of the door leaving just the debris netting in that portion.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on March 05, 2018, 20:50
Busy day today.
1st up was collecting the new chooks and introducing them to mother hen who judging by the look she gave wasnt too impressed at first but so far so good.
Next was the hard work bit. Spud bed now dug over and muck spread on it ready for April.
Spot of spring cleaning in the shed and then finished putting new chooks to bed as they were a bit confused with the building in the run! Hopefully tomorrow they will realise what it is for.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 05, 2018, 22:02
Quick trip to take veg peelings turned into a couple of hours weeding the front flower border but boy was it worth it, looks loved again.
From this to this
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 05, 2018, 23:32
Quick trip to take veg peelings turned into a couple of hours weeding the front flower border but boy was it worth it, looks loved again.
From this to this

So jealous of your soil...
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 05, 2018, 23:35
Quick trip to take veg peelings turned into a couple of hours weeding the front flower border but boy was it worth it, looks loved again.
From this to this

So jealous of your soil...

Thank you but on the plot it’s not very deep,perhaps a spades depth & both plots have mares tail!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: ilan on March 08, 2018, 17:33
Well a Busy day for me in the sunshine plots all raked over again  , built up two cloches to warm the ground up for the early potatoes , And I put a row of traditional pea sticks in cut from a couple of hazels planted a few years ago even wove in some .  Reminded me of that Wonderful Program The Victorian Kitchen garden . 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on March 11, 2018, 16:53
I worked for 6 hours and I'm worn out now, going to have a bath and a nap! Loads of weeding, hoeing, planted strawberry plants I was given at Christmas and put a cloche over them, pulled out kale as it has been completely trashed by birds ( note to self for this year, keep them covered all winter), put membrane over raised beds and enviromesh on shallots/onions, planted Jerusalem artichokes in container. Made small raised bed, not sure what I am going to plant in it yet.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Silva on March 11, 2018, 17:06
Put in my small broadbean plants and sowed some spring onions, over which we built a water pipe cloche with fleece covering- no idea if it will survive the first gust of wind! Shallots keep getting pulled out and don't seem to be rooting in very well, but I bunged a couple extra in anyway! A bit more of the grass got cleared today as well.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on March 11, 2018, 17:54
I was supposed to go to the plot this morning but couldn't because flowers were being delivered for me for mothers day and they didn't arrive until nearly 2 p.m. and as there was no one else here in the house I had to wait for them.  I spent an hour in the garden this afternoon instead and also spent an hour in the greenhouse sowing seeds.  I have made my breakfast and lunch for tomorrow so I will be up bright and early and gone to the plot and will get as much done as possible because the forecast for the rest of the week isn't great.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 11, 2018, 19:20
Not at the plot but in the greenhouse at home sowed 3 lots of broad beans in root trainers,2 lots of leeks in deep litter trays & 2 large pots of radishes. Gave them all a sprinkle of water & left to drain, then brought them in to the unheated conservatory,a bit more for hubby to look after whilst I’m away,gulp, wish me luck
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 12, 2018, 11:17
gulp, wish me luck

Good luck Snowdrops - he may surprise you  :)

This was yesterday at home, but started with some sowings in the greenhouse - bunching onions, beetroot, leafy greens and some peas, plus a couple of types of perennial flower seeds, which were brought back indoors.

The onions are growing and the spuds are starting to chit, so I was feeling optimistic  ;)  :lol:

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on March 12, 2018, 18:00
I spent 4 hours at the plot.  The veg beds were too wet to do anything with so I spent the time weeding the permanent beds which weren't quite as wet.  I am hoping to get up for another 4 hours tomorrow and will hopefully get the permanent beds at the back of plot 1 finished off.  I want to bring the loppers with me so that I can finish pruning the fruit bushes.  With any luck I will get the fruit all pruned, fed and mulched as well.

I dug up the leeks that were still in the bed that I want to change to a pea bed.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 13, 2018, 19:45
A plot visit at last  :D  I got 4 hours in today with just me, the robin dancing around from time to time and a fleeting visit from one of the cats from the neighbouring houses, who came to say Hi and get stoked for a while.

Pruned all the fruit on the bottom half of the small plot, weeded the lot and mulched,  The black stuff is compost from a big bin and the yellow stuff is wood chip from the chicken coops.  The latter is layered over older rotted layers each year as a top up.

Planted Sennan cabbage in with the gooseberries as they needed to go out.  These were sown last year and overwintered in pots outside. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 13, 2018, 22:45
Funny you mentioned the cat New Shoot! Arrived at the plot to find a new cat friend basking in the 25c temps of the polytunnel, demanded plenty of fuss but refused to be photographed  :nowink:

Dropped off the chilli plants that germinated much quicker than I expected and finally got round to sowing some modules, happy days are here!
Perpetual spinach, Bright Light chard, Early cabbages, Caulis, Celeriac and Brussells all sown. Fleece at the ready for the weekend if needed.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on March 13, 2018, 23:46
Managed to get another 5 hours up at the plot today and despite it being very wet still I managed to get a lot done.  I got all the fruit beds weeded, pruned, fed and mulched and also the apple tree bed and the comfrey bed.  I got the new flower bed at the front of the polytunnel cleared and filled up ready to plant the roses in.  I got the beds in the PT weeded, fed and watered.  Moved the Chrysanthemums from the greenhouse at home to to PT.  All the blackberries at the back of the plot are now tied into their wires.  The gravel area at the front of the plot is cleared of weeds and tidied up.  Oh and I got half the bed down the side of the PT cleared out and ready for filling up, I think I will plant pollinating flowers for the bees and butterflies in it when it is ready.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 14, 2018, 08:12
Managed to get another 5 hours up at the plot today and despite it being very wet still I managed to get a lot done.  I got all the fruit beds weeded, pruned, fed and mulched and also the apple tree bed and the comfrey bed.  I got the new flower bed at the front of the polytunnel cleared and filled up ready to plant the roses in.  I got the beds in the PT weeded, fed and watered.  Moved the Chrysanthemums from the greenhouse at home to to PT.  All the blackberries at the back of the plot are now tied into their wires.  The gravel area at the front of the plot is cleared of weeds and tidied up.  Oh and I got half the bed down the side of the PT cleared out and ready for filling up, I think I will plant pollinating flowers for the bees and butterflies in it when it is ready.

My word you must have been going like a steam train😊, love days like that
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: goose on March 14, 2018, 19:29
yesterday was my first time down the plot since late autumn :ohmy:..i was dreading it, but not too bad TBH! :D

i did remember doing a lot of clearing and weeding at the end of the season and it obviously paid off. 

i managed to weed all of my beds (took about 5 hours), but oh my....what a difference!  my paths need a major trim when it is drier, but all in all, pretty tidy, ready for business when it gets a bid drier/warmer. :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 15, 2018, 20:17
A couple of hours spreading compost and digging it in today. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on March 15, 2018, 20:29
Early start today. Did a little work on the chicken run to start with as it was raining early doors
Prepared the onion bed and covered with membrane ready for the transplant.
Prepared the first of the sweetcorn beds.
Marked out the rows for the sprouts, summer sprouting broccoli and kale.
Had a chat with the chucks.
Cleaned the chilli greenhouse then cleaned greenhouse No.2 ready for the cucumbers n stuff.

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on March 17, 2018, 19:52
Weeded around and pruned the raspberries, tided, composted and picked some rhubarb.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aidy on March 19, 2018, 19:30
Prepped the courgette bed, dug over the sweetcorn bed, cleared the last of the swedes ready to go into the freezer.
Cleaned the chicken coop and of course had a chat with the lasses.
Sowed the first of the spring onions and put some Thai Basil on the go.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on March 21, 2018, 10:55
Pile of wood ash put on the plot last night.
Cheers
Aled 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 21, 2018, 13:18
Sowed tomato seeds  :D  Now got a windowsill full of pots neatly labelled, with a cling film duvet to keep them warm.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on March 24, 2018, 13:42
Yesterday OH and I built the new courgette and squash bed, hoping to get up to the plot on Sunday to dig it over to remove weeds ready for it to be filled with manure.  This morning was spent pricking out seedlings and rearranging the greenhouse.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on March 24, 2018, 18:53
In the week sowed shallot seeds. Today, the girl and I purchased 4 x posts for the berry trellis and then we put them in the ground.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Lardman on March 25, 2018, 09:21
Started removing the raised beds, they're a nice idea but just haven't worked for me. Mulched the trees, sparrowgrass and rhubarb with the chicken manure and admired the ability of the raspberry canes to spread everywhere whilst I wasn't looking.  I could do with pruning the blueberry bushes but it feels a little late. :unsure:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 25, 2018, 17:32
Another 4 hour stint today.  I finished digging the fenced area and the planned extension to this.  Posts and replacement fencing next weekend is the plan, weather permitting  :unsure:

I also weeded all the overwintering stuff - Wizard beans, garlic, shallots and onions.  It got a feed of chicken manure pellets as well.

Had a bit of a greenhouse sort out at home.  Moved some things that have germinated onto the benches and shuffled other stuff into the small plastic greenhouse inside there.  The mangetout peas in there have come through the cold snap and are looking promising  :)

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 25, 2018, 19:37
At home shredded the raspberry canes I took back from the plot & various other pruning from a week or 2 ago & some more that I did today along the back border.
Then trundled it all to the plot along with the kitchen waste that all went in to bin 1. Then I swoed 3 beds,swept up, cleared some wood from one of the paths so I could walk down it.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 25, 2018, 21:25
Took full advantage of the weather to take the little un to the plot for some hard graft Quality Dad & Lad time. Started putting down more woodchips on the paths, watered the seedlings in the plugtrays and had a good natter with various plot neighbours who are starting to make their first visits to the site this year.
Attached pic of the minion at work :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: jcbuz1970 on March 26, 2018, 06:56
Got some of the intended chuck run cleared, not be long now before I can build the coop and run.
Went out for salad and celeriac seeds and ended up buying 5 fruit trees.
2 x pears, Doyenne du Comice and conference
2 x cherry, Hedelfinger and Morello
1 x plum, Victoria
£4.99 each from B&M, the Range also had them at the same price, other stores are available 😉
Got them planted so should have plenty of fruit in a couple of years.
Poly tunnel tide now, just have to feritilise and water it now, it is very very dry in there.
Half my first early tatties in bags in the poly tunnel, the rest will go in in 2 weeks.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Hampshire Hog on March 26, 2018, 11:40
Hi all
Lovely sunshine here in Hampshire this morning tempted me out.
Just back from digging over 3 raised beds and planting out a bag of shallots.
Had a stroll around to see how other plot holders are getting on, a few broad beans under cloches and last year’s leeks but otherwise pretty bare at present.
Think I will plant out my onions after the cold weather expected this week end has finished. I reckon the shallots will be ok but I want it a little warmer for the onions.
Must sow a few seeds in the conservatory!!
Cheers HH
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: juvenal on March 26, 2018, 12:03
Same as Hampshire Hog. Fifty potted shallots in a cold frame (tops just breaking green) waiting until next week to go out. 2" leek seedlings in a ten inch pots also snug in the frame. Onion sets go out next week. Spuds chitting in the conservatory. Out late next week.

I get the impression everyone's straining at the leash, but this threatened cold spell is rightly keeping us all on the starting blocks...
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on March 26, 2018, 18:43
Spuds in under membrane,  more weeding. Sat having a drink of juice and an ex plot neighbour passed by, he was very complimentary on what we have achieved in the year,  nice to hear!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on March 26, 2018, 18:56
Back in the garden- more pruning followed by more shredding. Then a trundle to the plot with my trusty steed aka wheelbarrow. Be thought myself on the way, that I better go & collect the dustbin of Chicken poop from little granddaughter’s 3 Chicken’s, so a trundle our the top gate to their house, little cherub was asleep otherwise I’d have taken her back with me, but DIL walked over with her once she’d woken. Was her first trip this year, she seemed to remember it really well, she stomped up & down all the paths in her wellie boots, then when it was time to go she gleefully accepted the offer of a ride in Grannie’s wheelbarrow lol
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: gstrong on March 26, 2018, 22:10
Cleared the last of the (significant) stones from the plot, then my eldest boy (7) helped me plant 45 seed tatties, some shallots and some garlic which had been started in modules earlier...
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 26, 2018, 22:32
Planted my first earlies in a bed I'd been warming under plastic since the snow and then sowed some Meteor peas direct and constructed a frame for them to climb up. The plan is to sow several different breeds of pea each month so I have a good succession of them throught summer and into early autumn.
Also managed to get a snap of the newest allotment cat :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mandycharlie on March 30, 2018, 19:51
Planted the first of the seeds, got the paraffin heater going in the greenhouse. It might be too early, but I'm a fingers crossed kind of gal. Started to weed out the couch grass from the fruit bushes.  It feels good to be back on an allotment.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on March 30, 2018, 21:26
Got soaked through trudging to the plot to check if the seedlings in the polytunnel needed watering.
They did not. >:(
Aquired a bottle of warming brandy from the off-license on the way home to fortify myself.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Green Thumb on March 31, 2018, 08:12
Got all of my seed potatoes planted yesterday, dug up the last of the leeks, picked the last of the Brussel sprouts, then dug over the pea bed. Managed to get the frames and netting up for these before the rain :(

Was hoping to get the peas and broad beans growing at home planted over the weekend, but looking at the forecast I don't think that will be happening now  :wacko:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on March 31, 2018, 20:29
Shunted stuff around a bit in the the greenhouse at home, sowed a few more things and potted on peppers.  Glared at the rain ... it ignored me and carried on  ::)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 01, 2018, 16:19
Banged in posts for the new bit of fenced area I am planing (muntjac deer issues), but didn't attach any mesh.  I'll wait for the soil to dry out and harden up before I do that.  Dug over a decent sized chunk and chatted to fellow plot holders in spade leaning breaks.

Then I came home and did some tidying up and weeding in the garden.

Now knackered, but it was great to be outdoors getting on with stuff :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on April 01, 2018, 18:14
Full day working the ground, improving drainage, prepared a couple of good size beds for planting into, planned what is going where, Mrs T sowed a load of pea, spring onion, herb seeds and flower seeds in the polytunnel and helped with the preparation job.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 02, 2018, 20:09
Way too wet for a plot visit today  :(  It eventually stopped raining this afternoon, so I did manage a few jobs at home.

Potted on tomato seedlings, put cabbages out in the cold frame to harden up and filled a few pots with flower bulbs to get going - amarine (new to me this year), ranunculus and lilies.  I also potted up dahlia tubers to start them off.

The greenhouse is filling up with various seedlings, so it feels like some progress is being made, even though there is nothing planted on the plot yet  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 03, 2018, 00:08
Pricked out and potted on my toms in the polytunnel. The paths between the raised beds are a squelchy waterlogged mess.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 04, 2018, 19:33
Dodged showers and planted the spuds  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Hampshire Hog on April 05, 2018, 17:09
Nice Sunny day here today in Hampshire
Managed to plant out some onion sets and a few broad bean seedlings
Ground  still a bit wet but I reckon the onions and beans will be ok.
Not sure it’s dry enough yet for seeds but heading in the right direction
Cheers HH
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 06, 2018, 17:48
Sunny day so managed few hours at plot finally  :)
Dividing plot up with paths now have full plot to make it more managable.
Put path around fruit bushes and finished path down the middle of plot.
Need bark or chippings now to cover. Already looks better.
Have almost dug one of the four beds and have been covering with rabbit poo I have regular supply of now. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on April 06, 2018, 18:47
Started preparing bed for roots, moved some bagged material off the top, weeded it, but it needs a thorough dig plus addition of some peat and sand. Hoping to get parsnip seed in this weekend.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 06, 2018, 22:56
Chopped up another old water barrel to use as a planter. Great for root veg and other plants that you want to prevent from spreading like mint.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Longshanks on April 07, 2018, 15:34
A few weeks ago, I sowed some cauliflowers, leeks and brussels in a seedbed. The seedbed was based upon some weed control black stuff over weedy ground, then covered in a lot of manure then covered that with compost. I covered that with an arch of netting and boxed it all in with wood edging. The plants are growing nicely.

I put in main crop potatoes, jerusalem artichokes, shard and spring onions. Nothing yet, but I might cover in a mini poly tunnel.  In my home made poly tunnel, I have aubergines growing and peas too. I need to take my toms along and a few other plants. However, I can't get my chillies to germinate.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 07, 2018, 19:36
I dug over a bed and sowed broad beans in said bed. Put some wood ash around garlic, mulched around garlic with straw and had a bit of a tidy up.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 08, 2018, 00:56
Built the last new raised bed that will be used for my butternut squashes this year. Broke into a sweat breaking up the compacted soil before dumping 2 bins full of compost and 2 bins of green grow on top which I'll dig in next month. Added more woodchips to the paths and finally popped in some onion sets (Silver Moon, as selected by the nipper). Not got high hopes for them though as they were £1 for 50 and seemed in pretty bad shape.
Was knackered by 4pm, but one of the old boys turned up with a bottle of home made cider, so we sat and enjoyed a pint listening to the birds and disagreed on woodchips & raised beds before the wives phoned and demanded a return home. Roll on the Summer :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 08, 2018, 08:26
More digging that didn't get done over winter.  Only a couple of small pieces to do now. 

Everything looks like it is getting going at last.  The Wizard beans, garlic and overwintering onions and shallots are all putting on a growth spurt.  The pear trees and soft fruit are all leafing up and the honey berries have flowers on them  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: miggs on April 08, 2018, 14:23
Just got back home after a couple of hours tidying up and doing a bit of weeding. Turned over the bed that still has a few Leeks in. I can't believe how wet the ground still is. Only just fit enough to go to the plot to be honest, had a really bad chest infection in Jan. Had all of Jan off work, then took another month to get back to full strength. Shouldn't take that long to get the plot back into some shape now, on earlies this week, maybe a couple of hours after work a few days could sort it out.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: al78 on April 08, 2018, 17:31
It is said not to touch the soil if it is soggy, especially with clay, and today was yet another wet weekend day which undid the drying effect of yesterday, but it was a case of am I going to get these maincrop potatoes in or throw them away?

I managed to clear a large bed to make room for two rows of maincrops. Yes the soil was wet and sticky, came up in clods, and sometimes trying to uproot the creeping buttercup resulted in the fork sinking backwards into the soil instead of uprooting the weed. With perseverence, and a welcome break of a few hours from the rain, I managed to get the job done. Probably lost an inch of topsoil the amount that was clinging to my boots :lol:. Almost all of the creeping buttercup and dandelions evicted, potatoes in the ground, and a couple of inches of manure spread on top. That is the last of the outdoor cultivation that needs to be done now. The rest of the allotment needs a lot of work with clearing and path laying, but it will be another month at least before seedlings need to be transplanted out, and I can prepare a bed in a (half) day if necessary.

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 08, 2018, 21:38
Managed a couple of hours digging the bed ready for onions. Mostly the soil was dry enough to dig with fork but some was really wet and hard going getting weeds out.
Decided to plant my earlies in the patch I had dug over few weeks ago. Covered with rabbit poo and straw.#
Still lots to do but glad to be able to make a proper start.
Got two beds left to dig over and wanting to put some paving in front of plum tree to make bit of a patio area.
       
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 08, 2018, 22:07
Went down tonight with the intention of getting a lot done, but ended up watering the seedlings and heading off home. We're about to put our property on the market so I've been press ganged into a weekend of DIY so I'm knackered.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Notty1975 on April 10, 2018, 19:12
Started the bed for my comfrey according to an old timer on the allotment nothing had been growing there for 20 years and boy it showed the one picture shows all the roots and general dodo buried I even found a complete small child’s bike
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on April 11, 2018, 19:48
Another hour and a bit digging out deep bed for root veg. Another shift on it and it will be ready for sowing parsnips and early carrots & beetroot into this weekend. Still cool in the evenings so no rush.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 11, 2018, 20:09
Sowed my 2nd batch of broad beans in card pots inside the polytunnel and that's it. It's still too water logged outside to do much.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Hampshire Hog on April 12, 2018, 15:56
Just mended the plastic window in my shed. It had been blown in by the strong winds and I couldn’t persuade it back into its proper place. Had to resort to a few nails around it and bending them over to hold it in place. A bit Heath Robinson but hopefully keep things dry till I decide to invest in a new shed. Thought of digging a bed or two but decided it was really too wet today with our clay soil. Hopefully better weather is on the way.
Cheers HH
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on April 14, 2018, 17:39
Finished digging the root bed, filled and levelled with some Irish moss peat. Planted first earlies finally and Mrs T did some seedling tending in the polytunnel. Sunshine at last!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 14, 2018, 18:52
Actual sunshine, all day!

Planted out my 1st batch of broad beans and went on a weeding mission, a nice bin full to feed the compost heap! Pricked out the chillies and sweet peppers in the polytunnel and put some more woodchips on the paths.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 14, 2018, 20:16
Finished my new bigger and better fenced area.  Knackered thin plastic netting now replaced with sturdier stuff that will last longer.  Hah muntjacs - let's see you get past that  :tongue2:

Planted out early cabbage and bunching onions, plus a few sweet peas on the new fence.

Came home and refilled the cold frame with stuff from the greenhouse.  Now got room to play with more seeds  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 14, 2018, 20:59
Planted out 42 shallots that had been sowed in seed trays and prepped the potato bed.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on April 15, 2018, 11:06
Spent a couple of hours at the plot yesterday still very wet but hopefully good weather forecast next week might dry it out.  Got the dahlias and Callas potted up and a bit of tidying done in the PT.  Off to a plant sale today.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: greenjay on April 16, 2018, 19:41
finally planted 16 charlotte potatoes and a small row of beetroot and carrots.
ground still very heavy/sticky
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 16, 2018, 19:54
Put a couple of extra support beams into my polytunnel put some fine netting over my alium and carrot bed.
Lovely and warm but the ground is still pretty soggy.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 16, 2018, 20:29
Sowed quite a few flower seeds at hone before I went to work, then managed to squeeze in an hour or so digging on the plot after work.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on April 17, 2018, 11:35
Still haven't started work on my plot yet, and the blinking rain arrived again today!!
Dry weather hopefully coming from tomorrow evening onwards.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Enfield Glen on April 18, 2018, 14:15
Juts planted last for of Spuds and some beetroot out, Also needed to water everything!! did not think I would have needed to that a week ago.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 18, 2018, 20:31
Did some clearing, then planted out 2 trays of broad beans, mulched them heavily. Hubby arrived & built me another compost bay for manure, it took him about 1 hour ,would have taken me all day. Also managed to squeeze in a bit more rubbish into the skip that I’d forgotten about.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 18, 2018, 21:02
Marvelled at this fiery, hot yellow thing in the sky.

Then got on with catching up on April's seed sowing in the tunnel. Mercifully I'd taken 4 litres of water with me to drink as it hit 42c in there even with both doors open.
Also sowed carrots, parsnips and salsifiy in their beds and a container full of Amsterdam carrots too for some early crops all being well.

Marvelled at 3 of the old boys trying to man handle a rotovator over their plots today, even though the soil is still a fraction sticky.

All in all a good day at the site and more of the same tomorrow :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 18, 2018, 22:10
Had help of a friend today. We dug over and weeded one of beds.
Soil hard going as still quite wet and solid but hopefully will dry out and will be able to rotovate soon.
Have now done 2 and a half beds out of four so finally getting there.
Really lovely warm day.
Will finish tom the half done bed and the edges of others so then one left.
Also got section under black plastic over the winter which was covered in weeds and wild flowers.
Loved the wild flowers but had been overtaken by the weeds. As it is a separate small bed then am thinking of an asparagus bed.
   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Martin70 on April 19, 2018, 12:07
late with everything this year so just been out to get some Tomato plants. More shopping tomorrow.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 19, 2018, 16:17
Planted out my rainbow chard & perpetual spinach plants and watered all my seedlings as the polytunnel hit 43c today.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 19, 2018, 19:40
Managed a few hours again today. Finished the edge of one of beds, full of weeds, grass, old strawberry plants and very compacted soil. Hard work and took ages to do just a small area  ::)
At least a whole bed is ready for rotovating at the weekend. :)
Have a bit more to dig of the bed next to it as the end is covered with black plastic but soil underneath looks quite manageable and crumbly. Just also has the rest of the compacted soil, grass, weeds, old strawberry plants  ;).
Going on Saturday to collect wood chippings courtesy of Anne who advised me where to collect from so will be finishing my paths and also going to cover all around my fruit bushes which hopefully will suppress the weeds around them. H
Has taken a full year to get on top of the other half of the plot attached to mine but hoping after the weekend that it will be transformed  :D
Planning on getting my onions, garlic and shallots in rotovated bed and the rest of my potatoes in too.
 
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 21, 2018, 19:32
A bit more digging and soil prep at the plot.  Managed to get a new stake in for one of the hybrid berries to replace a rotted one.  I then had the simple  :wacko: task of unraveling all the canes I had tied up out of the way and securing them to the new wires.

Came home and had a major sort out of all the seedlings.  The next wave of stuff for the plot should be ready next weekend with any luck  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 21, 2018, 20:55
Yahay, finally got some potatoes planted, all the first earlies  are in, not quite following my plan ahem.. im liking this no dig, after deciding how to lay them out it was the easiest I’ve ever planted potatoes. Will be interesting to see the results, a bit of weeding & more tidying up. Few chats with other allotmenteers who I’d not seen on site since last year.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 21, 2018, 21:49
Got my builders sack full of chippings and at the plot, had enough for all my paths and looks so much better. Some left over so started covering ground around my fruit bushes. Need another sack full and should have a thick enough layer to try and stop weeds coming through  ;)
At home cut the grass and sowed some more sprout seeds as only couple have come up. Not many cabbages germinated either so need to sow more.
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 22, 2018, 19:52
Sowed 2 x rows of Pink Fir and 1 x row of Charlotte. In at last  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 22, 2018, 19:53
And started sorting out the compost heaps, where I found two slow worms  8)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 22, 2018, 20:03
Got my builders sack full of chippings and at the plot, had enough for all my paths and looks so much better. Some left over so started covering ground around my fruit bushes. Need another sack full and should have a thick enough layer to try and stop weeds coming through  ;)
At home cut the grass and sowed some more sprout seeds as only couple have come up. Not many cabbages germinated either so need to sow more.
 

Have you tried layering your woodchips over cardboard to block out the light to prevent weed regrowth?
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 22, 2018, 20:12
Lots of weeding and generally getting ready for planting out.  Only 2 tiny pieces of plot left to sort now  8)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 22, 2018, 20:13
Finally planted the 2 blueberries I bought at the end of last year, cut out the bases of 2 tubtrugs that the handles had broken on, dug a hole, added ericacous compost, the tub rug & filled up with the compost & the blueberries. Procured a shed for my plot neighbour from another allotmenteer who’s given up his plot. Had a cuppa with J, then planted 10 Winston & 10 Charlotte seed potatoes, then I sowed 8 short rows of parsnips-4 hollow crown, & 4 of white gem that turned out to be seed tapes, which will be a first for me. Came home as it started to rain.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 22, 2018, 20:41
Got my builders sack full of chippings and at the plot, had enough for all my paths and looks so much better. Some left over so started covering ground around my fruit bushes. Need another sack full and should have a thick enough layer to try and stop weeds coming through  ;)
At home cut the grass and sowed some more sprout seeds as only couple have come up. Not many cabbages germinated either so need to sow more.
 

Have you tried layering your woodchips over cardboard to block out the light to prevent weed regrowth?
Had put some cardboard down last year around fruit bushes as there were so many weeds  ;)
Think it was your advice snowdrops to try that  :)
Will get some more put around the fruit bushes then loads of chippings on top which hopefully will help.
On the paths I had already put weed fabric down.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 22, 2018, 21:06
Productive few hours at plot with help from OH on one of his not very often visits to help though when he does visit, he does help massively  ;)
He rotovated one out of my four big beds which I'd already dug over and weeded.
Ready now for my red and white onions, shallots and garlic and when they are ready, leeks.
In front of my plum tree the soil there is really compacted as I'd put black plastic down to control the weeds last year so I'm going to put some paving slabs down to have an area to sit with deckchairs.
We had lots of terracotta roof tiles left over from freecycle that we had made raised beds with in our garden so have made a long raised bed that will be in front of the slabs and will fill with mix of flowers and veg.
Not sure what to fill it with so will throw weeds and grass in and keep covered with cardboard as it isn't very deep.
Dug a bit more of second bed which is almost done now then home for tea feeling happier with plot  :D 
If weather holds next week then hoping to finish that second bed and the other half of third bed.
At home sowed sunflowers and cilion cabbage as poor germination of sowing so far and some lunch box peppers. Great day  :D   
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 22, 2018, 21:08
Checked up on the brassicas I planted out yesterday and gave all the seedlings a watering in the tunnel.
Got a busy week ahead prepping the beds for more planting out and sowing, plus the paths need weeding and woodchipping.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on April 22, 2018, 22:25
Filled two bins with horse muck, planted 43 Kelsae onion plants and a new clematis on the arch.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on April 23, 2018, 09:44
Dug it over and manured. Will rotovate this weekend.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on April 25, 2018, 20:01
Double digging a never cultivated area of plot to grow maincrop potatoes in. Heavy going.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 25, 2018, 22:20
Sowed my Blaushokker, Oregon Sugar Pod and Kelvedon Wonder peas direct, then got the cucamelons, gherkins and Emir melons started in the tunnel. Also sowed my runner and french beans in card pots. Nearly caught up with everything after the slow start!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: candygold1 on April 26, 2018, 19:40
at last i managed to get a few rows of pink fir apple in today and shallots although a tad later that usual. cut the grass and a general tidy up, it was nice to get some time today
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 26, 2018, 22:39
Got the Borlotto and Soy beans sown in pots and finally got my cauliflowers out in the beds, the modules were chock full of roots! Also got my Kohl Rabi planted out, so nice now after 3 years at the plot that I can now move the soil with my hands to plant out rather than have to trowel heavy clay into submission! The compost and Greengrow have really transformed my soil.
Also pleased to see that the toms are finally starting to put on some growth, gave them a feed as a treat.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: gstrong on April 27, 2018, 20:21
Had 20minutes after work so earthed up the tatties that have been showing throug & pulled out a few weeds :-)
Nice when it's warm and the sun's shining :-)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Veg Plot 1B on April 28, 2018, 09:05
Got soaking wet from couple of hours of planting on plot, the wife thought I was mad. At least I did not have to water them in.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Wilf on April 28, 2018, 11:26
Also got soaking wet, and the wife said I was mad too... spent time earthing up the early potato’s and deweeded around the onions. Going up later to cut some asparagus for tonight’s tea, and will probably end up weeding again...
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Notty1975 on April 28, 2018, 16:51
Spent the day pulling up thick red carpet and the underlay from my plot to the main path what a job all intwined with thick weeds and couldn’t just pull it up as it went under the adjoining planted plot carpet is a big no no for me
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 28, 2018, 17:26
Spent the day pulling up thick red carpet and the underlay from my plot to the main path what a job all intwined with thick weeds and couldn’t just pull it up as it went under the adjoining planted plot carpet is a big no no for me

That’s why it’s been banned on lots of plots!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 28, 2018, 17:27
Nothing today it’s still persisting it down, it looks a bit better for tomorrow & I want to get the 2nd earlies down & mulched with the well rotted manure I got yesterday.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on April 28, 2018, 17:31
Spent an hour building yet another compost bin out of pallets, this one will again be filled with horse muck in the next few weeks ready for use late winter early spring.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Notty1975 on April 28, 2018, 18:03
Spent the day pulling up thick red carpet and the underlay from my plot to the main path what a job all intwined with thick weeds and couldn’t just pull it up as it went under the adjoining planted plot carpet is a big no no for me

That’s why it’s been banned on lots of plots!

Yep so should burying glass (full Paynes and not knowing it’s there till you put a spade through it) and using roof felt for pathways it does make me wonder what goes through people’s minds sometimes
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 28, 2018, 21:09
Spent the day pulling up thick red carpet and the underlay from my plot to the main path what a job all intwined with thick weeds and couldn’t just pull it up as it went under the adjoining planted plot carpet is a big no no for me

That’s why it’s been banned on lots of plots!

Yep so should burying glass (full Paynes and not knowing it’s there till you put a spade through it) and using roof felt for pathways it does make me wonder what goes through people’s minds sometimes

Clearing the bank at the bottom of my plot I dug out glass and carpet earlier this year, pain the backside. The carpet is still sitting there, wet and heavy to go to the tip when I get time. I also dug out lots plastic bottles and some kind of chicken wire plastic cloche thing  >:(
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 28, 2018, 21:10
Finished turning the heap from last year and cut the jungle (grass).
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: gstrong on April 28, 2018, 21:56
Watered in some nematodes to keep the slugs & vine weevil at bay for a bit.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on April 29, 2018, 13:37
Planted out onions from seed, Nipper mini leeks, bunching onions, lettuce and spinach, plus finished the last bit of digging on the small plot.

Photos are :

Bottom end of small plot with rasps on right, gooseberry and currant cages in background and pear trees to left, under-planted with with welsh onions, garlic chives and a few leftover Globo onions.

Top end with cage containing Honeyberries and a blackcurrant, rhubarb looming at the back and the new net tunnel (winterval gift), now planted with Globo onions, spinach, Nipper leeks and lettuce.  The last 3 are catch crops until the winter leeks are ready to go in.

Top end from the other side with tall cage containing perpetual spinach and erbette that have overwintered.

The compost bins are also in view.  There are 2 big wooden bins and 2 darleks.


Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on April 29, 2018, 19:21
Planted the rest of the potatoes, tipped out 46 bags of manure all over the plot, mulched the spuds with it & the old strawberries, they looked so much better so hopefully their last year will be a good one. Did a bit of weeding, mainly in between the slab paths
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on April 29, 2018, 20:01
Weeding, planted strawberry runners, sowed chard, beetroot red and gold, scorzonera, onward peas.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 29, 2018, 20:47
Checked on the seedlings, made a mental note of what needs weeding tomorrow and harvested the first rhubarb of the year!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 29, 2018, 21:09
Weeded, moved and feed raspberries. Did some digging.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 29, 2018, 22:30
Dug over and weeded half of final large bed then OH rotovated it. If dry day tomorrow then will finish digging and weeding.
Four in total since I put paths in plus strawberry bed and fruit bushes. Plot much more managable.
OH rotovated bed I had already dug and weeded.

 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on April 30, 2018, 08:58
Planted the rest of the spuds.  Brought 10 of my tomato plants up to the PT I will plant them tomorrow (I have loads of spares so can well afford these to fail).  The soil is drying out lovely and today is to be warm and sunny so off up to plant up as much as I can before tomorrow’s rain.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on April 30, 2018, 20:44
Lovely sunny day here so managed to spent 4 hours at plot.
Planted all my potatoes finally and covered with my rabbit poo and straw.
Planted desiree and international kidney and had already managed to plant charlottes a few weeks ago.
Finished the bed from yesterday so now another whole bed done. Had been covered with the rabbit poo and straw and the ground was lovely and crumbly to dig and weed. This bed will have my peas and beans and also my squash and pumpkins which I need to sow at home  ;)
Have the other half of my potato bed to dig so heading back tomorrow to finish.
Raspberries are a bit overgrown so need weeding and am going to renew path around them as full of weeds growing through. Plan to do that tomorrow too.
Busy day planned and feeling so much happier with plot.  :)   

 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on April 30, 2018, 21:21
Potted on tomatoes. Sowed: butternuts, pumpkins and courgettes.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on April 30, 2018, 22:46
Spent 3 hours on the plot in eternal conflict over working outside the 29c tunnel or in the 9c (minus windchill) outdoors.

Got tons of weeding done really bulking out my compost heap. Also found that a discarded currant bush I dug out last Winter is still alive so I'll have to find a new home for it. Turned the compost heap and discovered a handsome slow worm living in the bottom of the heap, moved him to safety before I finished turning the pile.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 01, 2018, 23:07
Finished digging last bit of yesterdays bed.
Pulled up weed fabric path around raspberries, full of holes, weeds and raspberry roots  ;)
Dug up weeds and hard going pulling up roots  ;)
Levelled soil and made new weed fabric path right around raspberry bed which hopefully will keep it contained  :D
Planted my white and red onions and garlic. Bit late but ground only been ready to dig and rotovate for past week or so.
Started making wigwams ready for peas and sugar snap peas which are outside and ready to plant.
Planning sowing french beans tomorrow and broccoli and chit sweetcorn.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 04, 2018, 23:05
Almost finished digging and weeding another bed, the last one  ;)
Bit left and will finish tomorrow.
Planted sugar snap peas around two wigwams.

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 05, 2018, 07:51
Yesterday I bought 6 x 70 litre bags of bark & added it to the fruit cage on top some membrane I added to the bare bits of earth where I’d had the green Johanna compost bin, looked good. Weeded inbetwee a few slabs too.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 05, 2018, 20:05
Finally dug the last small piece of the big plot.  That is the last job to tick off my winter list ... and its only 5th May  ::)  :lol:

Planted out modules of beetroot, lots of different cabbage and some calendula.  Then came home and potted on tomatoes and dwarf sunflowers and planted up my herb pots for round the back door - parsley, celery leaf, tarragon and summer savory  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 05, 2018, 21:25
Planted out toms in the tunnel bed, planted spring onions into one of the containers. Sowed some Raab broccolli into the brassica bed.
Got a nice suprise when a plot neighbour brought me 9 bags of garden waste so the compost heap is nice and big now and the thermometer says it's hitting 60c in the middle :D
Everything is suddenly growing at megaspeed, i love this time of year!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on May 05, 2018, 21:29
Weeded, put some compost around the fruit bushes and mulched the spuds with straw.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 05, 2018, 22:24
Busy and productive day with OH helping  :)
Picked up another builders sack of rabbit poo and bedding.
OH rotovated another finished bed and we covered some of it with poo. This bed has peas and beans and will be for my pumpkins, squash and courgettes aswell.
Have small part of potato bed left to dig and rotovate and bit left under black plastic to dig.
Whole plot best I have ever had it in 5 years  :D
Last year was easier after buying rotovator but took on whole plot so never really caught up with new half as was neglected.
Was behind this year but with the better weather and lots of visits, making paths and having supply of rabbit poo and wood chippings for paths, have caught up.
Also we visited local garden centre as offer on of 5 grow bags for £10 and 5 bags of jacks magic for £16  :D
Potting up tomatoes tomorrow in greenhouse and sowing lots with pots freed up.   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 06, 2018, 20:31
Put up a large net tunnel, then planted out greens, Supasweet onions grown from seed and some nasturtiums.  Built a bean frame and a couple of wigwams from canes.   OH arrived and did a load of strimming as well.

Came home and did another shunt from greenhouse to cold frame.  Set off some more modules of beetroot, Nipper leeks and Erbette to get going.  Got loads of beans sown - soy beans, climbing beans to eat fresh, dwarf beans to eat fresh and the climbing drying beans.  The greenhouse is now full again, but if space clears, I have some dwarf drying beans to squeeze in somewhere.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 06, 2018, 20:41
Sowed 2 rows of beetroot & 4 of peas, only 5ft rows, weeded in between more of the slabbed paths & kept a lookout for mares tail springing up
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 06, 2018, 22:47
I'm also having to start dealing with the mare's tail again, though there seems to be a lot less now after two years of ripping it out and relentless hoeing.

Went down tonight to plant out sweetcorn and my second sowing of broadbeans into their respective beds and just beat the sunset. All the seedlings have gone into turbo growth mode over the last few days so nearly everything will get planted over the next week. Love this time of year!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on May 10, 2018, 10:18
Have double rotovated, dug manured, and planted, peas, beans, beetroot, potatoes, carrots radisehs and lettuces!
Now wait and see time.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on May 10, 2018, 21:40
Earlier this week I plated a row of strawberries, mulched raspberries, watered and weeded.

Tonight I have sowed beetroot, sweetcorn and cucumbers. I potted on some cauliflowers and kale. I also weeded and watered.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on May 12, 2018, 11:27
A good load of weeding, planted out about 30 pea plants, fed the garlic and overwintering onions and finished digging a big bed for maincrop potatoes over the course of this week.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 12, 2018, 20:03
Weeding, feeding the compost (currently at 62c in the middle) and giving the plot a good soaking as we've had very little rain for a couple of weeks. As the germination was so good I had an extra Mammoth Pumpin plant that I couldn't give away, so rather than compost it I cleared a space in the woodchip path, dug in some MPC and planted it out. I have a horrible feeling it's going to be in the way later in the summer...
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on May 12, 2018, 20:54
Went to the local Horticulture Society shop, and entered the pumpkin competition.

At the plot I weeded, cut grass, painted some brackets, planted out a few more shallots and forked over a bed ready to sow some beans.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 12, 2018, 21:57
Added3 bags of municipal green waste to horse muck and mixed it well. Looking good ready for my no dig beds next year.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 13, 2018, 20:28
Earthed up first and second earlies, weeded and planted out some perpetual spinach. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: pigeonpie on May 13, 2018, 21:36
I looked at all the things I need to be getting on with... Sunday is a fiercely protected day here so no gardening allowed (although I did have a little tidy up of my seedlings, I hope no one saw! ☺️)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 14, 2018, 07:56
I looked at all the things I need to be getting on with... Sunday is a fiercely protected day here so no gardening allowed (although I did have a little tidy up of my seedlings, I hope no one saw! ☺️)

😱 by whom? When I worked Sundays were fiercely protected as my gardening day 😊
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on May 14, 2018, 10:20
First of the lettuces have pushed through the soil.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: jaydig on May 14, 2018, 15:48
Planted a few more cauliflowers and broccoli. Sowed spinach, two types of beetroot, a free packet of radish seed named "Red Head", and three varieties of lettuce.  All just short rows so that I can keep continuity by regular sowing of a few and often.  That's the theory, anyway, but they always seem to catch each other up. Carrots, swede, spring onions and the first radish are showing now.  Still no sign of parsnips, but they do tend to sulk for a while.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on May 14, 2018, 19:50
Tender the strawberry plants and netted them to keep the birds off, weeding and gave the hedge a trim. It's growing season now  ;)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on May 14, 2018, 21:27
Me and the girl watered and mulched some pots with straw.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 14, 2018, 21:52
Planted out a variety of plug raised brassicas as well as my Marketmore cukes and two Red Cherry toms.
DIsmantled a few more pallets which are going to be used to make my shiny new compost bins later in the week.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 15, 2018, 20:04
Planted two wigwams of peas and sowed a row of broad beans. Beans sown at home twice had not germinated so these were from my new seed order so hoping for germination.  ;)
Watered peas and onions that are starting to peep out of the soil.
Earthed up 2 rows of early potatoes which were peeping out of the soil.
Hoed away small weeds on bed ready for brassicas.
Really slow and poor germination this year, Sowed sprouts and cabbages ages ago and red cabbages done well, cilion have 2 plants and plenty of sprout plants but only 2 are decent size.         
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 15, 2018, 21:07
Added another two bags of green municipal waste  ( approx 100litres each) to compost bin 4 , and then watered and watered and watered as the plot was bone dry 😅
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 15, 2018, 21:59
Half killed myself digging out the solid clay bank at the back of the plot to site my new compost bin which is now half built.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: pigeonpie on May 16, 2018, 12:43
I looked at all the things I need to be getting on with... Sunday is a fiercely protected day here so no gardening allowed (although I did have a little tidy up of my seedlings, I hope no one saw! ☺️)

😱 by whom? When I worked Sundays were fiercely protected as my gardening day 😊

Sundays on the island are still deemed a day for quiet reflection. We're not meant to hang our washing out, you're not meant to be seen working on the house, garden, or land, and up to only a few years ago the swings in the children's play parks in places were chained up to prevent use!

Of course, there's no law preventing you from doing such things but in such small communities any breaking of the sabbath would upset some of the locals, and in particular the older generation, so I'm inclined to let it be and try to do quiet, unobtrusive jobs on a Sunday. It's a bit of a bummer when it's the only still day you get in a week though, and there's a bonfire that needs to be had, and some spraying to be done!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 16, 2018, 13:23
I looked at all the things I need to be getting on with... Sunday is a fiercely protected day here so no gardening allowed (although I did have a little tidy up of my seedlings, I hope no one saw! ☺️)

😱 by whom? When I worked Sundays were fiercely protected as my gardening day 😊

Sundays on the island are still deemed a day for quiet reflection. We're not meant to hang our washing out, you're not meant to be seen working on the house, garden, or land, and up to only a few years ago the swings in the children's play parks in places were chained up to prevent use!

Of course, there's no law preventing you from doing such things but in such small communities any breaking of the sabbath would upset some of the locals, and in particular the older generation, so I'm inclined to let it be and try to do quiet, unobtrusive jobs on a Sunday. It's a bit of a bummer when it's the only still day you get in a week though, and there's a bonfire that needs to be had, and some spraying to be done!
d

Thank you for the explanation, I did wonder if that’s what you meant but didn’t think there was anywhere that still practised those sort of restrictions. I won’t be looking to move there in the near future then. I’d soon be asked to leave  or burned at the stake  for heresy or something lol
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: pigeonpie on May 16, 2018, 14:50
Today I've been potting on my courgettes, squash, and green beans. They're all looking mighty fine and have almost 100%  germination.

I'm now trying to work out where to put them in between hardening them off... I can't wait to get my potting shed and polycrub up, until then thank goodness for deep windowsills!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 17, 2018, 11:47
Weeded around my strawberries as had got a bit overgrow while focusing on weeding and digging rest of plot, catching up from bad weather  ;) Looking so much better  :)
Have lots of little strawberry runners in pots to plant next visit.
Still have patch under black plastic to dig over next to strawberry bed so when ready, going to use some of it to extend my strawberry bed and will put another small path in.
Plot looks so much more manageable with paths I have put in.  :)
At home sowed PSB, sweetcorn minipop which is new to try for me, calabrese, tomato sweetbaby.
Sowed pumpkin, butternut squash, lark sweetcorn and courgettes few days ago at home.

 

 
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 17, 2018, 14:35
Picked up some paving slabs from freecycle and quick visit to plot to drop them off.
Have lovely plum tree at bottom end of plot but soil in front of it is compacted and have had covered with black plastic to keep weeds down.
Can't grow anything there and at the moment have my plastic bench there.
Going to make a paving area with weed fabric and wood chippings and take a couple of deckchairs to put in shed  :)   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on May 18, 2018, 11:14
Pigeonpie where on the Isle of Lewis are you based? One of my oldest friends lives on Tiuigsmarry (spelling?) he ran Wild West Beef Jerky.

First of my plants are poking through the soil.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: pigeonpie on May 18, 2018, 12:05
Pigeonpie where on the Isle of Lewis are you based? One of my oldest friends lives on Tiuigsmarry (spelling?) he ran Wild West Beef Jerky.

First of my plants are poking through the soil.
Cheers
Aled

Do you mean Timsgarry in Uig? (Also spelt Timsgearraidh) As the crow flies it's not too far from where we are, but by road about 35 minutes!

We're on the small island of Great Bernera, just off the west coast (thankfully joined to the main by a bridge!)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on May 18, 2018, 13:55
Yes you are correct pigeonpie, very near the Uig Lodge. My old school pal Richard Davies lives there, he was a ghillie on the Fhorsa river for many years. We attended his wedding there back in 2007.  A beautiful location.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: AnneB on May 19, 2018, 19:32
Today I potted up some more tomatoes that I have raised in the greenhouse at home and took them to their home in the allotment polytunnel.
I also planted out some Cobra beans. 
Watered a neighbour's plot as she is on holiday.
Showed 3 people looking for a plot round the site,  a fourth didn't show up.  Those that came took a plot, filled in all the forms for the Council and paid their Association subs on the spot.  Pleased about that.
Back tomorrow morning as 1 couple want to hire the strimmer.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 19, 2018, 20:12
Planted out sweetcorn and mini corn under protective tunnels, plus started planting out beans.  Came home and did a lot of weeding and potting on.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 19, 2018, 20:49
Planted out some raspberries & gooseberries that I'd been given ages ago but never taken out of the pots.
Also finished my compost bin, complete with 'modular' sliding front gates to make easier to fill and empty the heap.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: miggs on May 20, 2018, 16:32
Just got back after a couple of hours at the plot.
After hoeing a small bed, I planted the following, Mini Sweetcorn, San Mazarno Toms, French Green beans and a row of Mangetout.
Dug then hoed another small area of another bed and then planted another row of Mangetout.
I strimmed all the paths before I left.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 20, 2018, 16:39
Spent most of the day on the plot
Planted runner beans
Peas
Sweet peas
Built an enclosure over the gooseberry bushes to stop the birds getting them
Built a frame ready for the butternut squash plants with sheep wire and timber
Loads of watering
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Mr Rotavator on May 21, 2018, 19:39
At the weekend I: planted out leeks, banana shallots, sowed parsnips, started chitting runners, did some weeding and put up a playhouse for the kids.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on May 21, 2018, 20:57
A good weeding session. Not much else.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 21, 2018, 22:35
Two visits today. First was to earth up potatoes which are all growing well after slow start.
Also pulled part of big black plastic sheet back next to strawberries and started digging over.
Soil crumbly but full of couch grass and mares tail. Was so hot so home for tea and back later.
Back in evening and carried on digging and more weeding of strawberries which are almost done now. Lots of buttercup around edge.
Few bees buzzing round and one very aggressive and stung me on my cheek  :ohmy:
Noticed them going under the plastic so presume there is a nest there?
Time for home with a sore and red cheek  :lol:

   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 21, 2018, 22:39
Weeded for a bit then sowed a whole plug tray full of salad crops that will go in the new raised bed I decided I'm going to build this week.
Spent an eternity watering various neighbours' plots (2 full and 3 half plots!) as they're all on holiday at the same time. 10 minutes after leaving the site it absolutely tipped it down  :mad:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Rhys on May 22, 2018, 00:42
Gave the weeds/grass a haircut.. Then knocked the ground into shape with my rotavator. Spent a good 6 hours sweating in the sun (have to wear a jacket and a hat as I burn easily  :( )


Thoroughly enjoyed it though..  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 22, 2018, 19:47
Wheeled another 3 bags up to the compost bins to mix with the horse muck.
Then watered the brassicas in the cage and the runner beans.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 22, 2018, 19:54
Planted various dwarf and climbing beans, some for eating fresh and some for the bean crop.  Watered a lot of stuff that has gone out recently, just to give it a bit of a helping hand until the thunder storms arrive at the end of the week.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 22, 2018, 20:32
Planted out the melons, gherkins and cucamelons in the PT, also the Tomatilla plant, but I think I've messed up as I only have one and I've been told you need two for pollination.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Rhys on May 22, 2018, 22:05
Dug and planted my spud rows. Planted some strawberries (4 verities) and some sweetcorn.
Knackered now..
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 23, 2018, 23:03
Planted red cabbage plants and watered in.
Sprinkled onion feed onto my onion sets.
One old path left that weeds have grown through weed fabric. Started pulling up biggest of weeds and will pull up fabric tomorrow and put new down.
Need another trip to get more chippings for new paths.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Urbanite on May 24, 2018, 19:22
Turned compost cage out into a slightly smaller one,so the larger is back in use for the summer,sowed carrots,spinach and callaloo,planted out dwarf borlotti with the sweetcorn,tied in and side shot all the toms.Got the hose out and drenched everything,now we have mains water back after some scrotes nicking all the brass taps a fortnight ago.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on May 24, 2018, 22:19
Lovely cool evening visit.  :)
Weeded around my onions which seem to have grown overnight  :)
Planted the few sprout plants which had grown, have few more small plants at home as germination was very slow to plant when bigger.
Planted my french bean plants and watered them and all my peas with seaweed solution. Some of the peas looking bit yellow and some seem to have been eaten  :(
Covered patch of weeds with weed fabric as away next week and don't want them to get any bigger  ;)
Bit more weeding of strawberries.
Covered raised bed with weed fabric as filling it with weeds and grass but some are starting to grow back  ;)
When have next visit am going to cover with cardboard to try and surpress weeds.
Hoping week away won't undo all my hard work  ;)
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 25, 2018, 09:13
Yesterday went down about 4.30, planted out the few onions that grew from seed in multiple modules & the good tray of shallots that were the same, not sure if you can do those in clumps, soon see. Planted the tray of broad beans that someone had left me! Don’t know why or who so I do hope they were for me lol but they’re in now. Harvested my mystery planted garlic as they were yellowing & developing rust, put them in the shed to dry, couldn’t really tell if they were splitting into cloves. Think they are germidour, but still no idea when I planted them - last autumn or last spring. Need to restart my diary lol. Did some hoeing & some weeding &.......spied some parsnips.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 26, 2018, 11:30
Transplanted my leeks 30 sultan and 30 Carlton.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 26, 2018, 17:17
Planted out loads of stuff - squash, outdoor cukes, outdoor tomatoes, beans, a couple of dahlias and some morning glory.  Various net tunnels put over things to help them over the first week or so out on their own.

Weeded lots of areas as well.  It turned into a marathon 5 hour session, but all of a sudden it is filling up and looking like we are in business again  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on May 27, 2018, 20:31
Earthed up the main crop spuds - that's them all done now  :)  Hoiked out the perpetual spinach from my tall greens cage as it was finished and dug the ground over.  Did lots more weeding.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 27, 2018, 21:31
Finished off the planting of bed 5
Lettuce, beetroot,leeks and sweet corn
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on May 29, 2018, 20:00
Cut the top end hedge, weeding, tended a few things and watered. Bloomin warm in Lancashire!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 29, 2018, 22:08
Had a small fire & kept throwing on all the mares tail I kept weeding out, a bit of weeding, planted the dwarf beans out,then all the brassicas (well not all, I’ve ened up with spares but I left the others in case of failures) netted the brassicas with the help of hubby & daughter who came for a chat & to help with the netting. Hubby removed the forest of self set sunflowers, I was tempted to look up how to extract oil from them as I’d got so many. Hoed around all the strawberries, hoed the last empty(ish) bed, sieved the remains of the last fire, had a couple of cuppa’s, a lunch of soup. A chat with a few plot holders & there was 6 & half hours gone!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 29, 2018, 22:59
Two visits to water the first at 0550 this morning and then tonight at 6 pm
It's very warm and the plants need the water when I left the plot at 620 this morning it was already 16 deg

😅😅👍
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on May 30, 2018, 22:34
Epic weeding session, 3 hours in total. Still digging up docks, my least favourite weed to tackle. Side shooted the toms. Spotted a lot of damage on several crops from what appears to be flea beetle.

Took the attached pics showing the difference between the pumpkin in the PT vs the one outside. Seeds sown at the same time, in the same conditions!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Hampshire Hog on May 31, 2018, 18:51
Brief visit to plot to cut the grass paths. Just as well I have a petrol mower as I was cutting the grass in the rain! Checked my spuds in bags and horrified to find numerous slugs in action. Thought this was only an issue with spuds in ground-afraid I was somewhat brutal with them. Managed to get all this done before the rain turned really heavy. Fortunately I had a good weeding session yesterday. Everything seems to be growing well now though I was a little jumpy after an email arrived saying blight could be around already locally.

Cheers HH
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on May 31, 2018, 21:23
After a few weeks of speaking to the society sec re the overgrown plot next door we have been offered it today, so that now makes the choice of where to site the new polytunnel easy😀

Went down tonight and strimmed the overgrowth .
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on May 31, 2018, 22:42
A speed gardening session tonight in readiness for going away on Saturday. Planted out 2 trays of lettuce, 3 spare cucumbers got planted around the wire leaf Mold cage, so they can grow up & round it, what’s the netting all the cucumbers grown through into the middle so I can’t reach them lol. Sowed 4 rows of carrots, threw in another row of French beans. Netted the strawberries & the carrots, finally put up the strings for the climbing beans I planted out the other day. Came home as it got dark.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Green Thumb on June 02, 2018, 17:06
Woke up this morning to find it raining, so no need to water today  :D

Over the last week i have got a lot done, new debris mesh over the brassica bed, sweetcorn, celery, squash, courgettes more french beans, and couple more cauliflower, broccoli and kale plants planted out, weeded everything and trimmed the paths again with the new battery powered strimmer (which i must say is excellent!). Plus lots of watering, have filled the three butts up twice this week as the plot was bone dry.

It's the first time i have actually managed to get four 25 x 10 ft veg beds going since i took over the plot 3 and a half years ago - there has been a lot of work to get to this stage, half the plot had a layer of carpet about 3 inches under the top soil that took ages to get up, other bits had hundreds of bricks just under the soil, a big hole at the front to be filled up (apparently used to be an old air raid shelter there, just the foundations and a few bricks were left), that combined with an accident and a long period of working away from home meant it has taken a while to get to this stage. I feel really pleased how this year is going on the allotment so far! Just a couple of trees and the the back corner to sort out now to put a fruit cage up.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on June 02, 2018, 20:44
Woke up this morning to find it raining, so no need to water today  :D

Over the last week i have got a lot done, new debris mesh over the brassica bed, sweetcorn, celery, squash, courgettes more french beans, and couple more cauliflower, broccoli and kale plants planted out, weeded everything and trimmed the paths again with the new battery powered strimmer (which i must say is excellent!). Plus lots of watering, have filled the three butts up twice this week as the plot was bone dry.

It's the first time i have actually managed to get four 25 x 10 ft veg beds going since i took over the plot 3 and a half years ago - there has been a lot of work to get to this stage, half the plot had a layer of carpet about 3 inches under the top soil that took ages to get up, other bits had hundreds of bricks just under the soil, a big hole at the front to be filled up (apparently used to be an old air raid shelter there, just the foundations and a few bricks were left), that combined with an accident and a long period of working away from home meant it has taken a while to get to this stage. I feel really pleased how this year is going on the allotment so far! Just a couple of trees and the the back corner to sort out now to put a fruit cage up.

So far so good for me, the best in 12 years since I got my original plot on this site, mind I have swapped to 2, 1/2 plots side by side, aided this year by going no dig, wish I’d done this years ago.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 03, 2018, 19:55
Not much at the plot as it was too hot, but I did get a few more things planted out.

Came home and ended up doing a marathon pruning and tidying session,  Loads of shrub prunings to take to the tip now.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 06, 2018, 00:06
First visit after a week away and lots of weeds  ;)
Mostly superficial and started weeding between onions but managed half as back aching  ;)
Weeded around peas.
Took another load of rabbit manure and most of my pumpkin and squash bed is covered now ready.
Plenty of pumpkins germinated at home but resown butternut squash as only one germinated.
3 spaghetti squash germinated out of 6.
Hoping to get them planted soon.
Covered a big patch of buttercup with weed fabric until I get chance to dig it out.
Weeded around strawberries but have to be careful as very close to bees under my black plastic  :ohmy:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on June 06, 2018, 00:26
Planted out swedes raised as plugs and various herbs. Gave the brassicas that had been assaulted by pesky pigeons a good feed to help them recover. Also took a soil sample for a little experiment (more on that later) ;)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 06, 2018, 20:35
Two separate visits today.
First time I cut the grass on path at side of allotment, weeded around peas and beans and edged sides with spade.
Second visit planted sprouts and broccoli after weeding area. Has been rotovated but soil was like rock and really hard to dig and weed. OH has said he will rotovate again at the weekend  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: riggers24 on June 06, 2018, 22:15
Finishing touches to my second greenhouse, plumbed in a water butt. Weeded and watered the plot.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 10, 2018, 20:30
Planted out sunflowers and nasturtiums, plus watered quite a lot of stuff.  I have the first glimpses of summer on the plot.  The courgette fairy seems to be planning a visit and the first toms are setting outside - I've got Ferline and Crimson Crush on the plot.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on June 10, 2018, 20:57
Hubby & I took a wall cupboard,donated by our neighbours,& he fitted it in the tea shed for my cups & tea things. Plus took the new 2 burner gas ‘hob’ & gas cylinder, fitted that all in & had a tidy up. Then I secured the fruit cage against the marauding black birds who were intent on getting to the ripening strawberries. Weeded out yet more mares tail, then picked another 1.5 kgs of strawberries to match yesterday’s same amount. Swept up the paths where the birds have redistributed the mulches. Knocked in 3 very stout posts & put some strings up to stop the potato haulms flopping onto the main path.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on June 11, 2018, 21:40
Well on Saturday i started clearing another plot that has been neglected on our allotment field. Had a good day on it, will grow some leeks on it over the rest of the calendar year and see how things pan out.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 11, 2018, 22:40
Brief evening visit and weeded all of my onion bed and started weeding next to it ready for my sweetcorn.
Weeded around my peas which are flowering now but need tying to canes which will do tomorrow as they are flopping on ground  ;)
Watered sprouts and broccoli planted last visit but quite a few been eaten  :(. More broccoli sown at home but tiny at moment.
Half of french beans eaten too but sowed some more at home.
At home everything sown is growing really well.
Plot looks bit empty at moment but in next couple of weeks will have pumpkins, squash, courgettes, pak choi, kale, swede, beetroot and sweetcorn ready to plant and if broccoli keep growing then replacements for eaten plants  :)
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 12, 2018, 23:01
Two visits today making the most of my days off work.
Tied up sugar snap peas onto canes and weeded around them and picked handful. First proper harvest  :)
Dug over and weeded large bed ready for pumpkins and squash.
Has been covered with rabbit manure and soil was really easy to dig and really moist so will keep spreading it all over the allotment as I pick up each load. Has kept weeds to a minimum too.
Starting to get back on top of plot after couple of weeks away.
 
   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 17, 2018, 19:25
Lots of strimming and planted out the first batch of Elena soy beans.  Also dropped off green waste from home for the compost bins.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on June 17, 2018, 20:24
Finished off the new polytunnel, planted kiwi plants, peppers . Aubergine, and tomatoes, all a little late going in but I'm hoping to get a good harvest.
Then gave them a good soaking with a comfrey tea, which stank out the polytunnel 🤣
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on June 21, 2018, 19:32
Planted first lot of leeks on my second plot, lots of space so have spread them out well, so hoping for plenty of growth. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on June 21, 2018, 22:07
Finished tidying the plot ahead of judging for our local allotment awards and grabbed my first proper harvest of the year :D
Found the wind had removed the netting off the brassicas, but mercifully the daft pigeons hadn't noticed!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on June 21, 2018, 22:44
Yesterday planted the squashes in my daughter’s garden, then planted the courgettes & patty pan & some ornamental gourds I’d forgotten I’d sown at the plot tonight, will construct a frame for them to climb up so they don’t disappear in with the others & get picked by mistake.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 21, 2018, 23:25
Late visit after not being able to get to plot for a week.
Weeded around peas and beans and picked sugar snap peas.
Weeded some more of bed ready for sweetcorn and leeks.
Bought tray of about 19 leeks as mine at home are tiny.
Away for few days and OH forgot about seeds in conservatory   ::)
Beetroot, broccoli and swede all dead .Pak choi are recovering slowly. They had been doing so well  :(
Luckily all my squash, pumpkins, sweetcorn and courgettes were outside  :)
Sown at home more beetroot.   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 24, 2018, 10:32
Went to the plot later on yesterday when it had cooled down a little.  Did loads of watering and then harvesting.  Good haul of garlic and shallots.  I'll put a piccy on the harvest slot later.

The ground is too hard to dig or weed, so shelved plans for more planting out today.  Potting on instead I think  ::)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on June 24, 2018, 19:51
Friday, had a good tidy up of the last scruffy areas, planted out 157 leeks, hubby watered for me. Bit of weeding
Saturday, put all the 2 litre bottles in for the courgettes,patty pans & ornamental gourds,& all the climbing beans,that will help with getting the water to the roots & stopping water evaporation. Built a frame for the ornamental gourds to grow round. Bit more weeding.
Sunday, person in the brassica cage & weeded, not as bad as I thought, probably took me half an hour, watered them all really well, then planted 4 very large dahlias that I was given as dry tubers.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: DaveF68 on June 26, 2018, 23:23
Picked strawberries!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 26, 2018, 23:42
Last 2 nights went to plot in the evening as too hot in the day and got so much done.
Weeded bed for sweetcorn and now planted 11 plants as had poor germination.
Will sow seeds in that bed too for chard and plant fennel if it ever germinates.
Watered everything both nights.
Weeded onions, weeded peas and beans.
Started raking soil and preparing bed ready for pumpkins and squash and courgettes.
Back tomorrow to start planting.
Also have broccoli to plant that was given to me as most of mine eaten by slugs  ;)
Brassica bed needs weeding too but mostly superficial weeds.
   
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on June 29, 2018, 14:46
Another evening visit after work.
Planted butternut squash in bed that's had rabbit poo on it for few months so hoping it will help cropping  Next visit planting pumpkins and spaghetti squash and my courgettes.
Started weeding brassica bed but hard work even after it was rotovated few months ago. Soil so dry with big lumps of soil.
Few broccoli under netting have survived and are growing. No sprouts or cabbage at all this year as eaten by slugs  :(
Have never had none growing. Love my sprouts in winter.  :(
Gave everything another good watering.
Still few areas to tackle. Can't dig over and weed under black plastic next to strawberries because of bees nest. Will cover it over more next visit as weeds growing again where I pulled plastic back and dug before I got stung  ;)
Next to potatoes I have a patch to dig over and rotovate and will put squash there if I run out of space.
   
 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 30, 2018, 08:33
Did a big tidy up of a large border at home and planted out quite a few flower plants grown from seed.  Gave the whole lot a good water.

Then had a serious think about veg plants and pulled a few out of pots and modules for either the compost bucket or the chickens.  The plot is dry and I am watering so much, do I need to be watering plants I could restart in a few weeks - nope.  I've kept some like chard and potted them on for planting later, but salad leaves and quick crops for greens have been relegated to whatever would fit into a few empty pots at home.  I had a couple of squash plants that were lagging behind the rest and they have gone as well.  If they are only just up to decent size now, I reckon they are pretty much out of time to produce much.

If the weather breaks and we get rain, it will be game on again, but for now, I'm sticking with what I have and trying to keep that going  ::)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on June 30, 2018, 18:19
Watering and weeding on the small plot, plus planted out sweetcorn and soy beans.  I did have plans to go back later to do some work on the big plot, but it is soooooo hot.

Plan B is to get up at the stroke of sparrow fart tomorrow and get going before the heat builds  ;)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on June 30, 2018, 19:42
Took a risk & sowed another packet of parsnips as the earlier sowings has pathetic germination,12 parsnips is not going to cut it for the winter. More carrots as they’re been dire too, few others on the plot were saying they’ve had poor parsnip & carrots too, so don’t feel so bad & Monty Don had to do his again on Gardeners World last night. Then I took out the old strawberry plants, felt quite guilty as they’ve fruited really well but they were mostly about dead anyway, hoed tge area & sowed 2 rows of turnips & 2 of swede(5ft rows), thought I had more swede seed s but I can’t find them & we eat a lot of swede during the winter. Kept the strawberry nets over them to stop the cabbage whites & the pigeons., cam. E home very hot
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on July 01, 2018, 12:33
Groundhog day  :lol:  Lots more watering and weeding, but this time on the big plot.  I also planted out leeks.  I sowed these in a deep pot in April and fed them regularly.  They have done really well and are actually biro sized  8)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on July 01, 2018, 18:09
That's a relief, I haven't been able to go to the plot for over 2 weeks, I have very light soil and was expecting everything to be dead from heat and drought, happily everything has survived somehow!  Admittedly I didn't have any salad leaves growing. I watered and did a bit of weeding, then picked raspberies, gooseberries, broad beans,  onions which had bolted, early spuds.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on July 01, 2018, 18:23
Harvested the last of the gooseberries, as well as beetroot, the first marrow as well as even more courgettes.
Lifted the garlic and put them to dry in the polytunnel.


Built a frame in the polytunnel so that the kiwi, cucumbers,,tomatoes and the butternut squash can freely climb over
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on July 07, 2018, 00:16
Finished planting squash and courgettes. Filled whole bed now with butternut and spaghetti squash, pumpkins and courgettes. Just need them to get going  ;)
Have been giving them good watering.
Watered everything after weeding peas and onions.
Picked lots more sugar snap peas.
Sweetcorn that I planted are tiny despite regular watering  :(
Had to do second sowing due to poor germination and bought some but late planting.
Weeded brassica bed ready for more broccoli and some donated sprouts. Bit more to weed but hard going as soil so dry.
Might try watering before weeding.
Pulled up weed fabric on weed ridden path and will put new down tomorrow and got supply  of chippings.
   

 

 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on July 08, 2018, 23:44
Evening visit again and finished pulling up rest of weed fabric from path, weeds came away easily too  :)
Put new weed fabric down, edged sides and filled with lots of chippings.
Filled path around raspberry bushes with chippings too, big pile left on plot.
OH came to strim fruit bushes which are like a jungle at back of plot.
Got quite a bit done until strimmer developed a leak so needs new part.
Have lots of cardboard and weed fabric to put down and will cover with chippings while plenty left.
Might venture to plot in day tomorrow to finish  ;)
Have few things to plant too.

 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on July 10, 2018, 20:31
So far this week after work, sown autumn king carrots, beetroot, have also levelled ground and laid some slabs to improve path, earthed up new potatoes and planted on 32 leeks into their final position. On Sunday did a lot of digging over the beds that grew garlic, then fertiliser, added compost and sowed six rows of kelvedon wonder peas for a later crop.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on July 15, 2018, 17:34
Planted the last lot of leeks out.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on July 15, 2018, 18:49
Went down this morning before the heat built too much.
Weeding, watering, picked courgettes and raspberries. Put down membrane around courgettes to hold in moisture. Watered compost heaps. It's so desperately dry, I have a lot of gaps to fill if it cools down. I have started some salad leaves and herbs, French beans etc. at home for that reason.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on July 16, 2018, 10:39
Over the weekend I loads of watering, plus planted out chard, erbette and fennel.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Wilf on July 21, 2018, 10:24
Watering... Weeding... pruning...

Also planted out some more Beetroot as we have gone through the last lot. Cauliflower has also been planted (although I may have been a bit late with these) hey ho we'll see how they go

Wilf

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: archibtbm on July 23, 2018, 09:17
Watering and weeding, weeding and watering (2 trips daily).  Sown some spring cabbage.

Most of last week was taken up by building the new greenhouse in our garden at home.  Looking forward to getting it up and running as this will make getting things started so much easier. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: JayG on July 28, 2018, 18:01
My zig-zag strings which were supposed to provide support to my sweet corn failed their first test, although the wind was gusting up to 37mph earlier. Re-strung them with great difficulty ('twas so much easier when they were 4' rather than 6' tall and still vertical!)

Picked my first ripe tomato - Red Alert (as always.)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on August 11, 2018, 09:35
I had a major thin out in the greenhouse yesterday.  Pruned leaves from the cordon tomatoes so the remaining fruit can ripen.  Decided one bucket of trailing tomatoes was about done, so chucked them outside.  Spaced out the aubergines and peppers so they have more space.  I saw lots of flowers and fruits setting on the Trinidad Perfume peppers  :D

I can see things flipping into the new season soon, so came inside and sorted all my seeds for autumn planting - quick crop greens, salads, herbs for the greenhouse and stuff like spinach  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: harry on August 24, 2018, 13:54
Still picking and shelling my butter beans and red kidney beans. Also still finding marrows.🤓
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Allan-25J on August 24, 2018, 22:10
picked some raspberries
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on August 25, 2018, 09:12
Picked my polytunnel pumpkin and my one surviving melon.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 01, 2018, 20:49
I was there around 3 hours today.  I moved the compost bins on the big plot. They slot together, so I just dismantled them around the piles of compost and rebuilt them elsewhere.  I have a lot of clearing to do and need the bins ready to go.

Also dug over the area my overwintering garlic, shallots and Wizard beans are going, incorporating compost as I went. 
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 02, 2018, 20:58
Another 3 hour stint today.  I dug over about half of my fenced area.  I've filled one compost bin with waste, jumping in occasionally and doing the time honoured compost bin stomp to firm it down.  That one is covered and cooking now, so on to the next  :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 05, 2018, 18:41
2 hours done yesterday and I finished digging over the fenced area on the big plot.

2 hours today on the small plot.  I reclaimed my edge back from the side boundary and dug out an unproductive fruit bush in 1 of the fruit cages.  The fruit bush was a tussle, but I wasn't giving up.  It had to submit in the end.  I have a red currant on order to fill the gap.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on September 05, 2018, 20:36
A trip to the plot this morning to get the compost bins sorted for the manure I was being taken to collect this afternoon. The plan was always to fill bin 1, turn into bin 2 & so on, 4 bins plus an extra 1 for manure rotting down. That hasn’t really happened this year, I’ve ended up just bunging stuff in. So I turned bin 1 into bin 3. Then put layers of cardboard  into bin 1 & 2, followed by  some wood shavings, then some straw, well watered. Then off to get the manure. 53 bags later, I added 2 bags of manure to bin 1 & 2 as the next layer, followed by contents from bin 4 in layers with some clippings & more manure, topped off by more rotted compost. Phew that was tiring. Hopefully they’ll settle & sink & I can add more. Sleep & repeat. Lol.
Here’s a picture of when my bins were new to give an idea of the scale, each bin is about 1 metre square. Plus the extra 5th bin for the manure(well that was the plan)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Tracybutton on September 10, 2018, 08:00
A trip to the plot this morning to get the compost bins sorted for the manure I was being taken to collect this afternoon. The plan was always to fill bin 1, turn into bin 2 & so on, 4 bins plus an extra 1 for manure rotting down. That hasn’t really happened this year, I’ve ended up just bunging stuff in. So I turned bin 1 into bin 3. Then put layers of cardboard  into bin 1 & 2, followed by  some wood shavings, then some straw, well watered. Then off to get the manure. 53 bags later, I added 2 bags of manure to bin 1 & 2 as the next layer, followed by contents from bin 4 in layers with some clippings & more manure, topped off by more rotted compost. Phew that was tiring. Hopefully they’ll settle & sink & I can add more. Sleep & repeat. Lol.
Here’s a picture of when my bins were new to give an idea of the scale, each bin is about 1 metre square. Plus the extra 5th bin for the manure(well that was the plan)

That's a great job ! I'm just about to show my husband your pictures. You should be able to hear him groan in about five seconds  :D.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on September 10, 2018, 08:35
A trip to the plot this morning to get the compost bins sorted for the manure I was being taken to collect this afternoon. The plan was always to fill bin 1, turn into bin 2 & so on, 4 bins plus an extra 1 for manure rotting down. That hasn’t really happened this year, I’ve ended up just bunging stuff in. So I turned bin 1 into bin 3. Then put layers of cardboard  into bin 1 & 2, followed by  some wood shavings, then some straw, well watered. Then off to get the manure. 53 bags later, I added 2 bags of manure to bin 1 & 2 as the next layer, followed by contents from bin 4 in layers with some clippings & more manure, topped off by more rotted compost. Phew that was tiring. Hopefully they’ll settle & sink & I can add more. Sleep & repeat. Lol.
Here’s a picture of when my bins were new to give an idea of the scale, each bin is about 1 metre square. Plus the extra 5th bin for the manure(well that was the plan)

That's a great job ! I'm just about to show my husband your pictures. You should be able to hear him groan in about five seconds  :D.

😂😂 I think I heard more of a scream.
All bins now filled & ive added plot clearings to the 5th bin(potato haulms) ready for when the filled ones settle a bit more, I layered the nearly finished compost with some manure to reactivate it in bin 4.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on September 10, 2018, 21:30
My day was very similar;

Day 1 of 4

Loaded a trailer full of well rotted horse manure into a trailer then after getting to the allotments wheeled it up hill to my plot, ended up as about 14 barrowfulls, placed 3 inches in one side of my polytunnel.
Then topped two half beds with 4 inches each.
Next load booked for Wednesday morning 😅😁
Then I filled two tubes with good soil ready to sow some autumn king carrots I know it's late but it's worth a go
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: chillimummy on September 10, 2018, 22:06
Started digging up my second earlies but soil so hard and dry.
Like rock  ;)
Added another sack of rabbit manure next to brassicas.
Lots to do after few weeks away but will get there.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 11, 2018, 12:56
I've been putting the hours in on the big plot for the last few days and I am nearly there with the clearing and digging over. 

Got green manure sown today as we have rain forecast (50p seed sale stuff).  Got the remaining cabbage and erbette weeded as well.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 16, 2018, 14:39
Woohoo the big plot is about done, apart from moving the contents of of the compost bins onto areas and digging that patch.  The compost is rock hard and needs some rain before I can do that.

From the bottom end you can see the compost bins that have been moved and are now refilling,  a couple of the compost piles behind them and the fenced area, which now has just some borage (left for the bees), the last few beans, the outdoor toms still hanging on.  The sunflowers at the top are setting seeds for the birds.  The space in front of the fenced area has been prepped for Wizard beans and overwintering garlic and shallots.

From the top end, there is some erbette under the blue water pipe and net tunnel, the tunnels set up for autumn greens and the area in front of them, which has been seeded with green manure.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on September 20, 2018, 10:47
Went on Sunday and cut down the old canes of the hybrid berries, plus de-tangled and tied up the new canes for next year.  The loganberry was fine.  The tayberry and boysenberry a little more scratchy, but I emerged relatively unscathed.

Popped up this morning to batten the hatches a little more and the green manure I sowed on 11th is all up  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on September 24, 2018, 05:52
It was yesterday, but I forgot! After the barren summer months when succession sowings just wouldn't germinate, my plot is looking lush and green in places, it's lovely to see happy plants. The weeds have come up too of course! So, weeding, harvested carrots, beet, turnips, French beans, a few squash, courgettes, apples, swiss chard. Did a bit more hedge cutting where it had been left to get enormous.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on October 02, 2018, 20:27
Planted out various autumn greens, plus spring greens, chard and perpetual spinach to overwinter.  The overwintering onions and shallots went in as well.

Came home and pricked out and potted on all my perennial flower seedlings.  I sowed some old 50p sale packets a few weeks ago and the whole lot are now up and growing on  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 02, 2018, 23:49
Sowed some grazing rye as a green manure and planted dill plugs out in the polytunnel.
Started placing my seed order with Suttons this evening, but at last minute switched to Justseed and the order was half the price!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Enfield Glen on October 03, 2018, 12:37
Monday had a nice bonfire and got rid of all the dead stuff, yesterday dug over and planted 4 rows, @120, winter onions. More digging today making the most of the mild and dry weather.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on October 03, 2018, 13:48
Turned some of the compost bins - 1 to another to get 1 empty 1, then filled that with a mix of fresh manure & bedding plants from the village hanging baskets that garden club emptied. Really don’t understand why no one else wants such a good source of compostable waste. Then harvested the rest of all the potatoes, then it was the turn of the ornamental gourds (hope our 2,1/2 yr old granddaughter likes them as I’ve grown them for her to play with😂) then pulled some carrots & picked beans & raspberries
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on October 07, 2018, 14:17
Busy but enjoyable morning, helped my son put up his polytunnel ,just the frame and the raised beds inside the cover will go on next spring and helped him plant apple,pear and plum trees. Then helped him put his 4 giant pumpkin in our larger polytunnel out of the frost. So proud of him enjoying with his plots he did very well with his this year and where we put up his tunnel is a new half plot where his is solely growing fruit.
Also planted another 24 cabbage (Durham early) in my polytunnel, watered them all .

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: goose on October 10, 2018, 18:31
finished cutting down an off shoot of a plum tree (although the off shoot was as big as its mother) and burning the branches/digging out the root too!   mr goose was on hand (now he has retired to help :D).  my plot has just gained about 6 foot on that border! :D

with all his help (and the lovely weather), my plot has never looked this good going into winter and hopefully will be well prepared for the next growing season.

also, a good friend had just taken over the plot next to me.  although a novice, it is a superb plot, ready to go and the lovely previous owner has even handed over a folder for crop rotations, covered each cleared area with black plastic and left spare tools and a shed/water butt and composter....what a gift!!!!

what a lovely bonus day in October! :)

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on October 10, 2018, 20:31
Fabulous day & yesterday was pretty good too😊. In the last 2 days I’ve cleared the spent ornamental gourd plants,courgettes & sweetcorn, weeded that bed as far as the chicory.cleared those 2 paths of weeds. Weeded a couple of other smaller areas. Sat & had lunch in the shade today as it was too warm in the sun😎
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: robinahood on October 14, 2018, 18:26
The rain stopped around 3.30 so went down for a few hours,  mainly harvesting the last of the squash, tomatoes, beans, courgettes and pulling out the plants in the greenhouse. Sowed some random seed I  had left over into the cold ( and draughty) greenhouse, just as an experiment really. Collected apples.  This has been the first time I have really felt that things are shutting down.

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on October 14, 2018, 21:01
Planted a new cox apple tree on M27 rootstock hope to train it into a fan shape. Mulched around with well rotted horse muck

Planted 8 thornless blackberries and hope to make an edible hedge with them

Watered my spring cabbage and Christmas potatoes in the polytunnel

An enjoyable 1.5 hours on the plot
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 15, 2018, 01:34
Took the nipper to the plot where we hid from the rain in the tunnel,clearing out a few of the chilli plants that have given up the ghost. He decided he wanted to try fresh chillies; Jalepeno were ok , but the Havana Gold were a bit hot for him, but he found it funny. As tough manly dad I of course ate one of the hotter chillies which was agony :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on October 15, 2018, 10:48
As tough manly dad I of course ate one of the hotter chillies which was agony :D

 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Chilli eating from the veg plant bench was always a favourite activity for weekend lads when I used to work at the garden centre.  I would find one/some/all of them collapsed in heaps of agony almost every day over late summer :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on October 15, 2018, 10:58
It poured down all day Sunday, so my gardening was limited to a quick pick and tidy session in the greenhouse.  I have pots of oriential greens that yielded enough for a noodle soup lunch and pots of salad that have done the same for lunch today.

I was going to pot a few herbs on, but the rain was so heavy it was forcing its way into the greenhouse and being dripped on was not pleasant, so I beat a retreat  ::)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: andreadon on October 15, 2018, 22:16
Apparently i've got a bees' nest in a pile of compost.
I'm not entirely sure what to do about that....
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 15, 2018, 23:18
A neighbouring plot holder had a wasps nest in one of his heaps last year. He left it until the Winter frosts hit and it was fine to turn the heap after. Not sure if bees are so easily defeated though!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: goose on October 16, 2018, 17:43
ive had bees in my compost heap too......when clearing it out, the ground started to move when I got to the last 6 inches..HUGE bees were obviously living there and obviously I walked away and let them carry on :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Jeebus on October 18, 2018, 11:44
Popped into ASDA on the way to work this morning and saw a man sweeping up leaves in the car park. I now have 5 huge bags of leaves for the leafmould pile  :)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 18, 2018, 13:16
Popped into ASDA on the way to work this morning and saw a man sweeping up leaves in the car park. I now have 5 huge bags of leaves for the leafmould pile  :)

Leaf acquisition approved! ;)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Jeebus on October 18, 2018, 13:49
Leaf acquisition approved! ;)

Haha. If only I was this organised with everything else on the plot. My other half is in for a shock when I arrive home with a car full of leaves.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on October 20, 2018, 19:34
Collected 12 large buckets of seaweed , shredded it with a mower and put it on one side of the polytunnel, once shredded it only gave me 4 buckets full and so I will need another 2 loads of the same to finish that bed
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on October 20, 2018, 20:22
Finally sorted out the brassica cage. Now there’s another googleplec of white fly around the place 😡
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on October 21, 2018, 15:02
Second load of seaweed collected, shredded and placed in the polytunnel, only 8 large buckets today but I now have a three inch covering three quarters down the bed
A nice day to be a beachcomber as well, just finished before it started to rain
😁😁
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Hobovore on October 21, 2018, 19:36
Cleared out a pile of buired trash, wish it was treasure.

Mass murder of blackberries, ripped my hands right through the gloves. The remaining gits will be hacked and slashed with a machete with much malevolence.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mandycharlie on October 22, 2018, 04:44
Dug, dug and dug, fortunately with the aid of a backsaver, still had blisters forming on my hands. Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet, been really busy with the new plot. Been a good year considering the weather, got a green house up and put a new shed on the roof and if we can just tidy up the fruit we will be well on track for next year. Although this years fruit was pretty damn fine.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on October 22, 2018, 18:23
Planted about 100 autumn champion onion sets and 40 or so Griselle shallots this evening, over the weekend i planted electric red onion sets and lots of garlic.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: mandycharlie on October 26, 2018, 04:19
Planted about 100 autumn champion onion sets and 40 or so Griselle shallots this evening, over the weekend i planted electric red onion sets and lots of garlic.

Thanks for the reminder, onions ordered!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on October 26, 2018, 08:08
Arrived at the plot yesterday to find that some of my plot neighbours had kindly donated me a dozen or so bags of garden waste to fuel my industrial compost production project. The heap was massively over full by the time I'd emptied the bags :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on October 27, 2018, 08:48
Arrived at the plot yesterday to find that some of my plot neighbours had kindly donated me a dozen or so bags of garden waste to fuel my industrial compost production project. The heap was massively over full by the time I'd emptied the bags :D

That was nice of them.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on October 27, 2018, 08:54
Yesterday I finally got round to planting up 2 alpine sinks, it’s only been about 5 years in the planning, 1 I bought  in an auction from a school that closed down & covered with tufa, the 2nd came via a circuitous route from my late grandparents land.
Bought the plants at Wyevales event on Thursday evening with 15% off. I dread to add up how much they’ve cost all told, cement,sand,peat,gravel, grit, compost etc. I do know the bought sink cost me £70 but don’t tell my hubby lol
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: andreadon on November 02, 2018, 15:05
I carried on digging out the strawberry bed - i've got about a 4ft length left to do. And got lots of potatoes from that!
and then collected some pallets and made a compost bin!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on November 05, 2018, 15:07
Finished off bed 2 by topping up with 4" horse muck and 2" compost from the bins , now ready for spring planting 👌😄

Also collected 1 jumbo bucket of seaweed for bed 1 I need another 5 of these so that this bed has a 4" covering then I will top off with 4 inches compost
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on November 05, 2018, 17:20
Popped down to the plot to shut the polytunnel doors and spotted a pheasant having a wander around!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on November 05, 2018, 18:46
Quote from: Offwego link=topic=127163.msg1505153#msg1505153 date=15x41430453
Finished off bed 2 by topping up with 4" horse muck and 2" compost from the bins , now ready for spring planting 👌😄

Also collected 1 jumbo bucket of seaweed for bed 1 I need another 5 of these so that this bed has a 4" covering then I will top off with 4 inches compost

That looks raring to go Offwego 😂
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on November 06, 2018, 11:28
Pulled down the bean triangle, and harvested the last of the carrots. Need to winter dig, and I have some left over compost, the bottom half of the compost bin needs to be emptied plus some wood ash. I'll pile the lot in and turn the patch over.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on November 06, 2018, 11:52
Collected another 5jumbo buckets of seaweed for bed 1 this now gives  4inches over the whole bed
The polytunnel seaweed bed done about 3 weeks ago is now decomposing and the worms are hard at work .

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: snowdrops on November 06, 2018, 13:06
This morning hubby turned the hot composting compost heat(Berkeley method of composting to a degree,I’ve not been able to follow it to the letter) whilst I went in the fruit cage & removed all the strawberry plants,not a good idea around the fruit bushes, made picking the strawberries difficult, pruned the cherry tree & hoped it isn’t too late, then massacred the gooseberry bushes to make them into cordons next year & less dangerous to pick, then pruned the currant bushes, looks much better in there now, just to sort out the blackberries & take the top netting off. Hubby removed the musty frame & stashed it all away. He brought the pruning home so now I’m off out to shred them & then take them back to add to the compost bin.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on November 09, 2018, 18:32
Work today Not strictly on my plot 😱

Had the day off so I Filled the beds in my sons new polytunnel with 2-3 inches of seaweed collected after last nights storms and 4-5 inches of horse muck
That should be a hell of a productive polytunnel for him next year!!

Am I the only one who smiles when I hear there are storms and high winds coming linked with a high tide I collected 12 bucketfuls in no time today 😴😴
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on November 09, 2018, 22:16
Work today Not strictly on my plot 😱

Had the day off so I Filled the beds in my sons new polytunnel with 2-3 inches of seaweed collected after last nights storms and 4-5 inches of horse muck
That should be a hell of a productive polytunnel for him next year!!

Am I the only one who smiles when I hear there are storms and high winds coming linked with a high tide I collected 12 bucketfuls in no time today 😴😴

Having spent the whole day getting soaked setting up the fireworks event at my son's school today, I think I can safely say, yes you are the only one who was smiling at today's weather ;)
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Missey on November 10, 2018, 22:42
Well I’m trying to undo last year’s neglect so I’ve tidied up my plot edges - last night’s downpour helped greatly it turned over pretty easily  - ok exposed thick bindweed roots but I’ve dealt with it before I can again.  Sorted out my storage area so I could store the 9 sacks of pidgeon manure I picked up yesterday so they are covered and out the way they can just rot away.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Eblana on November 11, 2018, 17:04
Spent a couple of hours on the plot with OH.  He harvested three rows of Potatoes (only two more to go) and started strimming the edges.  I cleared the Pea bed and planted two rows of broad beans.  Also planted some garlic.  Hoping to get the bean bed cleared later this week as the boards around it have started rotting so need replacing and I want to get the bean trench started so that is our next job.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Steveharford on November 11, 2018, 18:23
Planted 275 garlic cloves in between showers. Then went to the pub.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: MarkC on November 12, 2018, 17:55
Garlic in today - not quite 275 cloves though....more like 30-40.

Also noticed that purple sprouting broccoli leaves were under attack and took netting off to find loads of caterpillars and eggs....in November. Picked off and sprayed.....Sprouts seemed ok.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Missey on November 18, 2018, 17:20
Beautiful day here - perfect allotment weather.   We dug & cleared out the edges of the plot - loads of thick couch grass roots coming in from the grass paths plus (hanging head in shame) lasts years neglect but hey ho. 

Cleared around  the autumn raspberries / black & redcurrants bushes & pruned & cleared around the apple tree then added a good mulch of manure around all of the above. 

Hopefully whilst its going to turn cold I'll have a few more dry weekends to finish off digging so I'm not playing catch up next year - ok who am I kidding I'm always playing catch up.

Missey
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on November 19, 2018, 20:07
Sunday afternoon, emptied a compost bin and riddled it onto 2 beds, then turned two others and started to fill the one i emptied, took the late peas out and stored canes away. Compost has done well this year, been adding volcanic rock dust to activate it.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on November 23, 2018, 16:55
Started repairing a raised bed after work until daylight ran out, which wasn't very late!
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on November 25, 2018, 14:01
Built a new 2 bay compost storage area. I used feather edge board with 75 mm x 50mm rails , I lined the inside walls with black plastic to protect the wood and keep the heat in, I then put two layers of cardboard on the ground to kill the grass and stop any weeds growing
I now have 2 bins 1.2 square by 1.2m high..
I then used 100mm x 25mm slats for the front and made spacers between each slat with screws partly screwed in leaving a gap approximately 20mm between each slat so that air can circulate

It's very surprising how much volume they hold as I shovelled 11 barrowfulls of manure into one and it's just half full. The society are arranging another delivery soon so I hope to fill the first bin with some of that.
The second bin I will now start filling with leaves, coffee grounds, and kitchen peelings etc just as soon as I finish the slatted front on that one
👍
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Aled on November 26, 2018, 16:18
Piled on the last of the compost bin, some wood ash, plus the small bag of compost I had left over. Then dug the patch over. Other than adding a bit of wood ash, That's it until the spring now.
Cheers
Aled
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on December 02, 2018, 13:49
Finished off my New compost area, lined the base of the second one with cardboard and the side with plastic sheeting to protect the wood , I used some of the spare boards to make a roof and then put plastic over them,
and then started filling it 😁😁😁
Very pleased with this 😁😁😁👍
Just as I was packing up for the day the rain came so perfect timing 👍

Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: MustbeMad on December 03, 2018, 08:40
Well, it was yesterday rather than today but I finally managed to get the polytunnel cleared out - just need some thing to do with 20lb of green tomatoes, lots of chutney I suppose!). The De Colgar and Mexico Midget tomatoes were still going strong and it was a shame to pull them out.
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: New shoot on December 04, 2018, 20:06
Took bags of garden waste to the plot and filled up a compost bin, plus did a bit of tidying and harvesting.  The ground is too wet for any serious work.

Then came home and filled 3 empty compost bags with fallen leaves.  Dumped these in the chicken run and gave them instructions to turn them into some nice mulch please.  That didn't get much response so I chucked some corn around as added motivation.  That got them scratching away and digging  :lol:
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Thrutchington on December 14, 2018, 16:24
Got an hour after work to do some winter digging, made a good start, good outdoor exercise too in the fresh air  :D
Title: Re: What I did on the plot today 2018
Post by: Offwego on December 26, 2018, 17:48
Added another small bin of mixed kitchen waste, two bins of leaves one bin of manure and a sack of soaked cardboard to the compost heap