More thoughts for new allotment

Evening All,
I did say yesterday that to plan for the spring gardening inspite of the winter weather we're having is a good idea,

If we can get some of those time saving devises sorted now in the warmth of the workshop/shed all the better,

It's those little things that come to hand when they are needed that count and for tonight ive three very simple to make ideas for the "New to gardening to think about"

(1) now you've the allotment the thought of tools is going to come into mind, not only would i say buy the best you can "but when it comes to the shaft tools ie spade/fork ect keep in mind they come in all sizes and it's a very good idea to get your hands on a shaft size that fits your size,

ie im of normal height 5ft 8 inch tall and my arms are as normal as i think they should be, i dont have any back or bending trouble's

But i do have friends who do have back & bending problems,
So the size of spade shaft i have fits my hands and digging / bending perfect,
But the one friend im thinking about has a longer shaft (handle) on his spade/fork due to his back problems.

The cost of good light weight but strong tools can be high and the advice i'd give here is by good and buy once.

The idea i wanted to pass on is to do with the practice of keeping your tools clean & protected ,
I have a section of a 45 gal container cut down to approx 18inch in height and its filled with sand and the sand has had approx 1 gal of used motror engine oil mixed in the sand, i have this inside the tool shed doorway and when ive finished for the day i have space marked out inside the shed for each tool to be put back into (by marking we're each tool is returned to you can see at a glance that you've not left or lost a costly tool at the end of the day) But pre putting away the tools i clean them in the sand/oil filled solution, just a few dipping actions the sand wont stick to the tools and you've cleaned away the odd bits of soil and give a light oiling at the same time,
this container/sand & oil dip is something you make once and it lasts for ages.

(2) Potting disc,
Now again once you start your seed sowing in both pots of all sizes or the plastic seed trays you'll want to have the compost level and packed firm,

by getting the likes of plywood and just using the verious sized pots/trays as temp plates you can draw around them and cut the tampering disc to size add a simple handle ( a broom stick cut to a 3in length or a size to your liking goes a long way to making a lot of handles,

having the likes if these tampering disc save time and makes the job a better one, plus if you really want to you can make a seed spacer by adding evenly spaced nails nailed into the side of wood that will face the compost, just push down remove and you have your little holes ready to recieve the seed

(3) Get hold of a tin box big enough to hold your seed pkts, "Mice" like seeds, so get a mice proof tin.

While we're talking about seed pkts,

Seed packets are a good thing to read,
They are full of information regarding both whats in the packet and the seed company's advice on what's the needs of both the seed when its in seed form and the plants needs when its growing,
Plus the seed company offten offer free seed booklets you can have ref how to sow seeds ect ect, well worth reading the info,
But keep in mind these seeds are sent out to garden supply outlets up & down the country and sowing conditions will "NOT" be the same at the same time in every part of the country, so use your local info ref weather conditions for your sowing.

Well have a think about whats been said tonight and good gardening to all new comers.

 

Good idea the sand/oil tool clean and protect

Tampers, a bit OTT for small gardeners, and if a large garden depends on the seed you would be planting for the pre drilled holes IMHO
The basic tamper seems sound though

Good idea of the rodent protection tin

Jack McHammocklashing

 

Hi Moonraker and thanks again for that very useful post. I am going to put all of those ideas into action down on my NEW half size allotment - which I've waited almost five years for!

The previous tenant gave it up before it became overwhelming, so I am very lucky that it is in good condition and doesn't require a massive clearance, just a bit of weeding. Even more amazing is that there is also a greenhouse and shed!

I've inherited an established asparagus bed, strawberries and raspberries - and there are even a few handy clues of what was in the beautifully constructed raised beds last year, so crop rotation isn't going to be too much of a problem.

I was wondering if any of the edible gardeners out there had an opinion on the merits of coloured vegetables? Especially if those veggies are also "heritage" types? I want to follow the health advice to "eat a rainbow" and I've found purple cauliflower, yellow courgettes, purple french beans (which turn green on cooking!), rainbow chard.... I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.

I'm also conscious of wanting to grow stuff which you can't get easily or cheaply in the shops (space is valuable!) so I want to grow aubergines which are a favourite of mine and expensive to buy and peppers - which even my fussy son will eat. I need advice on which varieties will grow well in the North West UK. These will get the greenhouse space once everything is planted out. This means I also need help choosing tomato varieties which will do well outside.

All advice and tips will be very gratefully received.

 

What find

Hi Lottie,
Well was it worth the wait or what?????? Greenhouse, shed, and the raised beds, Nice one, Ireally do love to hear this sort of thing has happend to someone "like i had a 3 year wait" waited and has been rewarded by such an allotment, well done, (Have you thought about doing the lotto:DOH:
you mus tbe on a roll.

Anyway lets see what some of the other members have to say ref what to grow (im doing a bit tonight about what not to buy plant wise)
it should help!

Once again good luck.

 

Lottie,

Have a look at this site here, this guy is based just down the road from you so should give a good idea what you can grow. It's a first rate tidy little plot too...Allaboutallotments

I'm much further north than that in Cockermouth, Cumbria and the only thing that really failed for me last year was Melons and Aubergines ( I did not water enough!)

Steve...