Allotments, veggie plots anyone?

Hi Osprey,

Your allotment sounds a super project and I wish you lots of luck in producing tasty veg for the family. I have a similar problem waiting for the ground to dry out at the mo.

What about mini veg for the children, such as mini sweetcorn, turnips and cauliflower. I have grown these quite successfully up north here and these mini veggies mature quite quickly.

Edit - Alpine strawberries too are easy to grow from seed and have the sweetest little berries.

A strawberry patch is a must! You could maybe look at others sorts of fruit such as raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries, they're great fun picking, watch out for earwigs, and taste much better when they're home grown!

Have a look at companion planting, it's a form of biological control using the qualities of  various flowering plants to keep pest species away from veg crops.

Thanks Claire + Alan.

Its all very exciting if very wet. Just hoping that all the rain will make the howking out of the dock, dandelions, buttercup + some of the nettles easier!! LOL. There are lots of other weeds but hoping most of them will die off as they are howed + left to die in the 'sunshine' - not sure I remember what that is!!

Claire mini veg sounds wonderful - do you just harvest the crops early or are they from a different seed stock? We have the wild mountain strawberries through the gravel on the drive, hadn't thought of moving some of them down but was going to clear them out of the border so I now know where the extra plants will go!! More wee strawberries - yummy + it will leave less ground free for weeds - win win!!

Alan we aren't allowed to put anything permanent up, so no greenhouses - a shame this far north. Hope to grow some outside cucumber sofingers crossed for better weather through the summer. Was trying to think of fruit + veg that we eat a lot of, or would if they weren't so £!!

Any pics of your plots?

Did take a few before we started. South facing, slightly sloped, on its own, playing field about 10ft away so plenty for the kids to do if they fancy a break + very exposed to the west wind, well can't have it all!!

Osprey, Well done, you will enjoy it.  One warning and that is contain your artichokes (presuming they are Jerusalem Arti).  I started with 12 acquired from another allotment holder and ended the year digging out about 150.  I then put a few more back in but later realised we had missed about 50.  They will spread if not controlled and they are a taste that some like and others don't.  I do like them in casseroles etc.

Alan's tip is excellent.  We have tried all sorts (Sweet potatoes inluded) and have always ended up back at growing the basics which then keep us fed virtually all year.

Raspberries are a good crop but try and get the Autumn fruiting ones rather than the Spring ones.  Much more taste.

Peas are financially not worth growing (frozen ones are cheap and taste nice) but simply for the pleasure of seeing children opening the pods it is worthwhile getting them to put a row in.   We never see any crop from our peas but I do notice how often my granddaughter goes home with pocketfuls of pods.

I think most mini veg are a different seed stock, certainly the sweetcorn and cauliflowers are.

With the sweetcorn, you may have to cross your fingers for a reasonable summer. Start the seeds off in trays of compost on a window ledge indoors and plant them out in a block after risk of frost in a sunny position. I did rows of 5x5 but you can plant them quite close together. Each plant should produce 2 little cobs.

The caulis produce tight little curds and you could consider successional sowing for them and also the turnips. I think you can get mini brussel sprouts, leeks and cabbage as well but I have not tried them.

Can you dedicate a window ledge to propagating seeds? If so it may be an idea to sow any of the brassicas (not turnips tho) in trays and transplant once they are big enough to handle.

My grandchildren have just planted peas - Sugar Bon that they'll pick when they visit. And eat raw. My grandson likes to pick and nibble on the little sprouting broccoli side shoots - raw. I start the broccoli in root trainers on top of a raised bed.

I have two blueberry bushes in large patio pots and they like to hunt for the ripe berries. They are really hardy - came through those two cold winters in West Lothian. They do take a bit of time to become established and fruit really well but some stay evergreen so can provide a bit of shelter. I feed the birds and they haven't taken the berries.

hello,

Moderator quote;"Have a look at companion planting, it's a form of biological control using the qualities of various flowering plants to keep pest species away from veg crops." I have a few e-books on the subject. Off topic to the allotment patch, I was planning to set up a 'Cold War' memorial on a patch of ground I have which was a former Cold War site needs some cleaning up (not a lot) I want to keep the weeds etc.. just plant some wildflowers/poppies around the area with a plate dedicated to those who did 'Cold War' service from the area.

The area has some wildlife & bird life great for spotting which I've not did in a while in the said area only walks. Never the less I contacted the Forestry Commission/Countryside Trust for advise. I'm looking at what wildflowers I could plant or seed the area with which would benefit the wildlife & especially the Bee population?

I have some knowledge having worked on numerous conservation projects over the years in my sparetime, for now the weather is against me. Ok "Learn to live with nature not fight against it" so hopefully sometime will make a start. It was suggested asking around the said bodies for some advice free seeds to get started as they initially supported the details I had given them on the plot. Any suggestions on the plants seeds other most welcome!

Regards

David

Osprey, my girls loved growing strawberries, raspberries, carrots, runner beans and peas, and Jersey Royals.  The peas never made it into the house, always eaten straight from the pod! the same happened with the strawberries and raspberries.  I can highly recommend Autumn Bliss raspberries.  

Caroline in Jersey

Thanks all!! It's really encouraging to hear what everyone is up too. Great to hear that there are lots of pockets full of peas going home - think if we grow them I don't think they won't get that far.

Alan thanks for the idea to move the rhubarb to the wall its in the middle of the plot at the moment. Is it a good idea tomove it now or should I wait?

Claire, we can possibly give over a windowsill to wee seedlings, but they would need to be sturdy to survive 'Tiny', a very curious just 3yr old!! Will let you see what we get up too with this.

Bob the artichokes are globe, part of my MIL's wee stash of Italian origin. Not sure how well they will do up here  in the north, but worth a try. Have Jerusalem in the garden so will need to lift some of the tubers but will not move too many!!

Blueberries are a geat idea Grandmamac, there are some growing on the moors not far from home so thats a real possibility. I'm keen to grow purple flowering brocilli as well so the root trainers is brilliant info!! Thanks.

Iain the idea of companion planting is brilliant + just the kind of info I need. The plot is quite new + has been worked organically which I'm really keen to continue! Have some chives that some insects would rather not get too close too + lots of calendula / marigold seeds that I'm hoping will draw in the insects I'm keen to attract.

Really loving all the possibilities!!

Thanks everyone!!

Traditionally Rhubarb is split / moved in the Autumn / Winter.  Dig it up and split the root and then leave it on the ground to frost then plant the two bits.  That is the traditional way but I suspect if you split it and moved half it might take, presumably it is a bit less forward in the north.  Down here we are pulling it although it is still very short.