Just got an allotment and have no idea how things work

[frogwoman]

No! I bloody hope not anyway.

 

[Saunders]

All power, strength and enthusiasm to you frogwoman
I’ve inherited a veg patch that I had great plans for which is looking rather weedy just now.

 

[8ball]

No! I bloody hope not anyway.

Is the flattened bit yours, or do you have the wilder bits at the sides too?
And are you attempting this all yourself?

 

[frogwoman]

Is the flattened bit yours, or do you have the wilder bits at the sides too?
And are you attempting this all yourself?

The flattened bit is mine (and behind the brambles is also mine, eg about 2/3 of the plot, only 1/3 is something ive been able to do anything about). The bits at the sides are empty, not mine thankfully. Anyone in Oxford wanna have a go

 

[frogwoman]

And are you attempting this all yourself?

Yep

 

[Chilli.s]

Yep

hardcore

 

[frogwoman]

Basically everything until the rows of trees at the back in the flattened part is mine

 

[Callie]

Urban allotment meet!!

 

[8ball]

Yep

If I tried something like that they’d find me in the long grass after a couple of days, sobbing, among a pile of 2 litre White Lightning bottles.

 

[WouldBe]

Flamethrower.

 

[8ball]

Flamethrower.

Could damage the underlay.

 

[frogwoman]

One upside of it raining every day this week is the fact the soil around the carpets is suddenly easier to dig out. I should be able to get the big one out by the weekend. The problem is that the soil on top of the carpet is pretty good so im hoping I can keep most of it.

 

[Chilli.s]

Im thinking the soil under the carpet will be v.good as few weed seeds to germinate, whereas the soil on top will have many

 

[frogwoman]

Is this a potato or a weed?

 

[8ball]

Is this a potato or a weed? View attachment 341956

I don’t think it’s a potato, but I have no idea whether it’s a weed.

 

[frogwoman]

This definitely a potato

 

[8ball]

This definitely a potato View attachment 341957

Yeah, see the different pattern of veins on the leaves?

Anyway, that’s what I was going on. I’m not the best person to ask.

 

[frogwoman]

Nearly got the carpet up!

 

[frogwoman]

I've actually got it up! There are loads more carpets to go unfortunately

 

[SpookyFrank]

My main memory of my time as an allotment holder is of digging up bits of rancid carpet. Never managed to grow much beyond broad beans and Jerusalem artichokes, which were already growing feral when I got the allotment and which I never actually attempted to eat.

 

[frogwoman]

Not sure what to do with all the soil etc once the carpets are up.

 

[8ball]

Not sure what to do with all the soil etc once the carpets are up.

New carpets, maybe a Chesterfield?

 

[spring-peeper]

Not sure what to do with all the soil etc once the carpets are up.

I'd take a sample of the soil and get it analyzed. Then you can find out what to add to the soil to make it compatible for planting.

By adding the supplements this autumn should make it good for planting in the spring.


Good job about getting rid of the carpets - I probably would have quit...

 

[frogwoman]

What kind of soil should I put on the potatoes to earth them up? I'd like to get soil from elsewhere in the allotment but I'm a bit scared of getting weeds in there

 

[spring-peeper]

What kind of soil should I put on the potatoes to earth them up? I'd like to get soil from elsewhere in the allotment but I'm a bit scared of getting weeds in there

Potatoes are tough - they should be fine with the allotment soil. I'm horrible with gardening, so I know a few weeds will not stunt them.

Can you buy a bag of top soil? I know where to get it here, but not over there.

 

[pug]

I've found broad beans to be good planted around October for harvesting in May they dont seem to be attacked by wildlife too much.

 

[frogwoman]

Does anyone know what's wrong with this potato?

 

[The39thStep]

Does anyone know what's wrong with this potato? View attachment 343332

Tuber may have rotted or possibly some fungal/blight issue.? You could dig it up and have a look and other discard or put it pack.

 

[WouldBe]

Does anyone know what's wrong with this potato? View attachment 343332

It's in mourning. Not a king Edward is it?

 

[frogwoman]

It's in mourning. Not a king Edward is it?

My dad suggested that I should have a funeral procession for the potato if it dies. 'Long live King Edward' etc