Have Grand Plans.......

Forgot what happened last year - maybe it's here!!
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Beckscorrick
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:51

Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Beckscorrick »

have plans......
OK here folks, is the list of what I would like to grow on my ground;
Feb; Put in Broad Beans - FAILED - will be in March!
March;Beetroot, Carrots, Parsnip, Brussels
March/April; Lettuce and Shallots
April; Potatoes, and spinach
May; Runner Beans
May/June; Courgettes, Sweetcorn and Tomatoes
July/August; Cabbage
anybody have any advice - this is the first time that I will be growing my own veg (hopefully), are these the right times? Any tips/hints would be excellent!
:oops:
Annie
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Annie »

Hi, you look pretty organised for someone having their 1st try at veggies)t'
As you have already found out sometimes things don't go according to plan , don't just plant at a certain time because that is what it says on the packet but when your judgement says its right weatherwise.
It will be alright in the end , if its not alright, it isn't the end .
Quote from the proprietor of the The best exotic Marigold Hotel for the elderly and beautiful
Beckscorrick
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:51

Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Beckscorrick »

Thanks Annie,
Just trying to pluck up the energy to go down there with a spade and fork..... The bed is already shaped (as I dug it last year, but only got that far due to health issues!) We have a rotovator, but need my OH to give it a service and show me how to use it - otherwise I can see me going mad and losing control, ploughing up everybody's allotments!
I have just been going on a guide that I have in a vegetable grower organiser, haven't even bought any seeds etc yet....}hairout{
We are very lucky that we have quite mild weather at the moment. The allotment is in a very exposed area, looking staright out to the sea in Somerset. The one advantage that I have is that the main bed is sheltered by the neighbours chicken shed.
In your wisdom, would you be kind enough to advise me what I should plant in the more sheltered areas...I presume, things such as beans that will need the canes?
The other bed that I would like to dig will be very exposed to the sea air and wind, so maybe it would be better to put things like the cabbages and spuds there as they won't get blown over?
I have lived here for 18 years this April and never used the space that comes with the cottage, I did grow some spuds and toms in the garden last year, but now have the chicken set up in that part of the garden.......>ch<
Sorry - waffled on for too long! Right, hoovering, coffee, then allotment!
Thanks again!
becks
Homemade
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Homemade »

If you are on allotments then make use of the local knowledge and when and what the others grow. Salt in air can make many plants suffer but potatoes and cabbage and asparagus should be fine.
Being right by the sea should mean that you can start early with most things.
Do the others have a shared seed buying scheme?
Quand je serai vieille je vais vivre en France
Sunny Clucker, she came, she saw, she moved on!
Annie
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Annie »

Hi Becks,
Homemade made some excellent points there. I am in central/west of Scotland and experience very different growing condition to yourself so maybe not the best person to advise, as suggested ask other lottie holders - most like to share their knowledge (and brag a bit of course). If the wind coming from off the sea is quite prevalent then when buying seeds for such as runner beans choose carefully as many of the dwarf varieties may be better than something trying to hang on to a 6ft cane in the middle of a gusty day
It will be alright in the end , if its not alright, it isn't the end .
Quote from the proprietor of the The best exotic Marigold Hotel for the elderly and beautiful
manda
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by manda »

I will look forward to this Becks ....because I am pants at getting organised to grow veggies so any ideas will be great)t'
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda

Living our version of the Good Life with 4 dogs, 6 cats, a cow, a few sheep, Angora Goats and ???? chooks.
Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
Beckscorrick
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Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:51

Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Beckscorrick »

Thanks peeps.
I put in some spuds that had gone to seed in my veg rack and some garlic yesterday (we'll see what happens)
Nobody else here uses their lotties to grow anything, which is such a shame. There are 17 allotments just going to rack and ruin......maybe if people see me doing mine it may inspire them to get digging?
Going to have a look at seeds today, but can't really do alot as it is slinging down with rain.
I did manage to dig over some of the ground yesterday in the sunshine, but the rest I have covered with that black weed control fabric held down with stones, so am hoping that they will kill off the weeds?!
I will keep you all updated!
)w(
Maggie1

Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Maggie1 »

Where are you in Somerset. My Mother in law is near Weston Super Mare and she always starts her stuff earlier than we used to do when in Kent
Try planting broad beans and runner beans in pots. Then plant them out when they've got 3-4 leaves on. That way they will have a bit more chance if you are that exposed. I really get terrible wind and rain here and thats what I do.
Beckscorrick
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Beckscorrick »

Thanks Maggie - my veg patch looks out over the sea towards wsm, we are between Bridgwater and Burnham on Sea (Stretcholt/Pawlett).
I was going to plant the taller veg behind the shed to give them more shelter, then the ground growers in the more exposed areas....
Just been to ASDA and spent nearlt £30 on various veg seeds - so better grow else OH will be not impressed!:oops:
Can't do anything today really due to the weather and need OH to get rotovator sorted and show me how to use the damned thing!
It was quite good actuallyas the guy behind us in ASDA saw that we had loads of veg seeds etc and asked if knew of any allotments available - so will post notes through neighbours doors asking them if anyone would like to rent out their unused land - there is hope yet!{rofwl}
Maggie1

Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Maggie1 »

Mums in Burnham. Oh dear you should have gone to Wilkinsons WSM you would have saved so much on the seeds.
4pigs
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by 4pigs »

Hello
I start my runner beans in the cardboard tubes from the middle of toilet rolls. I stand them up in a tray and fill them with compost and put a bean into each tube. Keep them watered and by the time they are ready to be planted in the garden the tubes have started to compost. Just a thought.
I admire you wanting to tackle a rotivator!
Jo x
Annie
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Annie »

Crikey Becks you must have bought a load of seeds ! Our Ashda is selling 3 pkts for £4 and last year the same deal included multi packs such as sweet peas and various toms. Its still cold up here so I havent really checked the deals out but may do when shopping for groceries next week. Good for you on getting the word passed round - it would be lovely for you to have some company and support on your lottie.
It will be alright in the end , if its not alright, it isn't the end .
Quote from the proprietor of the The best exotic Marigold Hotel for the elderly and beautiful
Beckscorrick
Learner Laner
Posts: 13
Joined: 07 Sep 2011, 11:51

Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by Beckscorrick »

OK - quick update......
The Broad beans have started to grow (which is typical, as I bought a tray of them (just in case), as are the garlics...nothing else except for weeds!
We have had loads of rain - as have most of you - and some sunshine.
Does anybody have any ideas as to where I am going wrong? My OH will go mad if things don't grow after spending all of that money on seeds!:oops:
Any suggestions gratefully recieved!
davina112
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Re: Have Grand Plans.......

Post by davina112 »

Hi, how's it going>fi< you have managed to grow something
[center][/center] Davina
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