Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: basketcase on July 05, 2006, 13:43

Title: Not grass
Post by: basketcase on July 05, 2006, 13:43

My daughter asked if we could grow flowers as well as veg - and I'd already decided I'd like to grow 'cut' flowers.  I'd like to go a step further and turn part of the allotment into a garden area (not having one at home).

Question is, what could I use for a lawn that isn't grass?  I don't have a mower/strimmer and can't afford one.  I know about camomile but am not really keen on the smell.  Anything else?

Title: Not grass
Post by: Celtic Eagle on July 06, 2006, 12:54

Some of the thymes very low creeping types will work Not sure what the varieties are  Someone on here will know!!!

Cheers

Title: Not grass
Post by: GrannieAnnie on July 06, 2006, 16:21

Astro turf!!!!!

Title: Not grass
Post by: Jake on July 06, 2006, 16:27

Quote from: "grannieannie"

Astro turf!!!!!

I was going to say that but its bloomin expensive. I bought some 4 years ago and it cleaned me out :shock: Still got it actually. Could do a swap :)

Title: Not grass
Post by: GrannieAnnie on July 06, 2006, 16:43

Expensive maybe, but you've still got yours 4 years after!!!!  The new stuff looks good.  It has the lines in it too like when you've mown the grass up and back down again to create light and dark lines.

But I was really only kidding Jake, I know its expensive stuff

Title: Not grass
Post by: Heather_S on July 06, 2006, 17:26

Corsian mint is lovely but it won't stand up to wear and tear. Some oreganos do well but you will still need to mow it or cut it down with shears or secaturs.. they stay as a nice "mat" growing in the winter and don't need cutting then. It costs lots to do a lawn that isn't grass... if you're willing to, oregano is pretty easy to grow from seed so that'd be the cheapest option. Oregano somewhat "creeps" too so it knits together nicely.
http://www.stargazy.org/plants/allotment/2006-04-19/P4190021.jpg The oregano is on the right, three plants that I grew from seed. They're suppose to like welldrained soil but that's clay soil and they do pretty well on it. They get very tall though.. this is a more recent photo (bottom right corner) http://www.stargazy.org/plants/allotment/2006-05-28/P5280057.JPG

Title: Not grass
Post by: Beanzie on July 23, 2006, 12:12

What size of area are we talking about Basketcase?

I'd be tempted to grow a green manure such as a clover and resign to cutting it with shears on the basis that the material is feeding my compost heap.

Title: Not grass
Post by: noshed on July 23, 2006, 13:31

If you just want somewhere to sit - how about some old paving slabs with herbs in between? Or even a small pond. ( Idon't mean sit in the pond - although it would be tempting this weather.)

Title: Not grass
Post by: milkman on July 31, 2006, 20:48

Have you thought about acquiring a hand mower? they are not as pricey as you may think - I bought a Qualcast Panther 30 2 years ago for £35 in Homebase - a good investment.  No electric cable or petrol required, produces a nice cut and you have the option of variable cutting heights.  I use mine at home and on the grass paths edging my allotment plot.  I did have a petrol strimmer but stopped using it when OH managed to give a hedgehog a rather close shave and the thought of unintentionally strimming slow worms... :cry:

Title: Not grass
Post by: John on August 02, 2006, 09:44

Getting onboard late, as usual :)
Garden areas on the plot are becoming more common, which is nice. I don't think you can beat grass and a push mower is less work than you might think.  
As for those who suggested astro turf - I want 500 lines from each of you tomorrow morning - 'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
tsk tsk :)

Title: Not grass
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 02, 2006, 15:23

We could say its weed cover though John!!!!! lol

Title: Not grass
Post by: John on August 02, 2006, 16:21

Careful, I could make it a detention !
:)

Title: Not grass
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 02, 2006, 22:15

'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'
'I shall not cover, nor shall I suggest others cover an allotment plot in plastic permanently ever again'

Will 5 do????

Title: Not grass
Post by: John on August 02, 2006, 22:27

OK, just this once :)

Title: Not grass
Post by: GrannieAnnie on August 02, 2006, 22:32

You are soooo good to me!!!!