[freyaluck]

Not sure what to write now. Basically have had a bout of depression (suffered for years with it) and havent been up my allottment at all over the last month or so. probably closer to 2.Thats why I havent been here too much as well. WIth the kids off school next week I will get down their and get some planting and more digging done. But am sure It is now too late to get much in. I have tatties corn and a few beans and hopefully still some peas left up there.
What Can I sow now and still get some crops in.
Thanks in advance
Carlie

[DD.]

Hi Carlie, sorry to hear you've not been too well, it it sounds like you're pulling through. Allotments are very good motivators.

I'm a bit behind due to family matters cropping up. I'm currently sowing peas & beans, but it sounds like you've got them.

I'll also be doing beetroot & khol rabbi, continuous sowings of lettuce, radish, spring onions & the like. You should be able to get hold of brassica & leek plants from a local nursery.

There's more I'm sure, but that should kick you off!!

Oh - you might see if you can get hold of some tomato plants, they'll go outside now.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Freya, sorry you've not been too good lately. Hope that lottie will liven you up a bit!!!!

What about some carrots?  You can plant most of them up to July.  I've got some autumn King, but even the B&Q el cheapo I got say to sow up to July!!

[DD.]

Hi Freya, sorry you've not been too good lately. Hope that lottie will liven you up a bit!!!!

What about some carrots?  You can plant most of them up to July.  I've got some autumn King, but even the B&Q el cheapo I got say to sow up to July!!

I sowed some last July and had quite a good crop off them, so yes, give 'em a go.

[emmalm]

Sorry to hear you've been having a bad time with your depression.

I've only had my lottie a month, so I'm having to dig it all, so I've been looking at what crops can be planted later in the season. I'm still planting sucessional peas, french beans and mange tout varieties.

What about fennel, plenty of salad crops can still go in, especially some of the oriental ones benefit from being planted later as they're less prone to bolting. My packet of romanesco says it can be planted in june.

Some turnips can be planted for autumn/early winter harvest. I've also got some Broccoli raab from realseed that can be planted in july/august and reckons it will crop in 40 days.

[DadBear]

there is nothing more calming than a garden.. I had a spell of work induced depression 18 months ago and find now that my garden gives me the best feeling! I'm planting french beans and cabbage at the minute ( nice little plants from the local college!)... plenty of time for beans etc and sweet peppers on the patio! Good Luck and Kind Regards, John    

[Redwellies]

I'm suffering post graduate depression, have studied three years to become a physio, but cant get a job for love, nor, money (and not for the lack of trying).  If it wasnt for my lottie I think I would have gone mad.    All my fellow allotmentors have been terrific, if you feel really low then force yourself down there, once there it lifts your spirits (after you have realised the amount of work that you need to do), just tackle one thing at a time, and before you know it you are taking things home to eat, and thats is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.  Well I think so anyway.  Hope things improve, the time with the kids will help I'm sure.  Anyway chuck in some runner beans they are always good and easy to get going.  Pumpkins and squashes too

[freyaluck]

Cheers for all the lovely replies.  Unfortunately I had to hit rock bottom before I realised how bad I was, but am on the mend and feeling tonnes better.     Will get up the lottie this evening and start sowing.   Today I am digging up my front garden and deciding what to do with it.  Have a herb bed in the middle, but have no idea what i want in the border.
Carlie

[crowndale]

I'm suffering post graduate depression, have studied three years to become a physio, but cant get a job for love, nor, money (and not for the lack of trying).  If it wasnt for my lottie I think I would have gone mad.    

I spent 5 and a half years doing a degree and a PGCE (part time), come and teach they said, we need teachers.  But by the time I qualified their were 100 plus applicants for every job I applied to so I did supply, ended up in debt because of childcare costs which had to be paid regardless of whether I worked or not, and mostly I didn't because of the advent of cover supervisors instead of supply teachers.  So, I decided to return to the job I have loved the best during my adult life and become a foster carer again.
 Even that hasn't been straight forward.  First they couldn't cope with my unusal marital set up (I was married but unofficially separated with OH living abroad-mutually convenient arrangement!).  Then he asked for a divorce so they couldn't deal with that either.  so I still wait and hopefully should be approved sometime this autumn, 18 months after first applying.  Through this the one thing that has ket me sane, besides my faith, has been the garden and growing things.  In the past I have suffered several depressions and was terrified I'd go back there but haven't this time.  So I thoroughly recommend growing things and digging as therapy!  I don't recommend making strawberry cages as therapy though unless they go according to plan!

Oh, and I threw in some spuds last year around this time, and they were fine, not as good as some I have grown in the past but I think that was the fault of the spud type rather than the late growing.  Throw in anything you have room for even if its late, that's the fun of growing stuff you never know, it might just work, and it's not that late yet really.

[mum of 3]

sorry youve not been well freyaluck depression does leave you feeling absolutely shattered though so good on you for getting back to the plot ,im sure you'll start to feel better for it,i think exercise releases something which promotes wellbeing .