My new project.
 

Although there are those orgers on FB (and the lovely Geodude) that have been seeing why I have been quiet on here very recently, I thought I would share with those that don't know.

I very recently acquired an allotment, in a very poor state. Unfortunately, due to the rain there hasn't been as much progress as I would have hoped. Today sees yet another flood in Hebden Bridge, and I do live in that general direction, just to illustrate how damn muddy it is here right now!

This was the plot a week ago....The photos don't show its true size, its triple my garden and then some!

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...25515253_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...34865531_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...18084290_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...80789554_n.jpg


http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...78625247_n.jpg


As you can see, ermmmmm rather a lot of weeds!

After a couple of days and a helping hand from the kids and Smudge, another friend with a strimmer to the rescue, we had it looking like this.




http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...27135883_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...61231647_n.jpg

Then this

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...60216770_n.jpg

my fruit trees can see the light!

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...85910715_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...42942139_n.jpg

Might not be very interesting to most, but to some, its a dream. Grow your own veg, a quiet corner with some mad old dudes to share tips, and somewhere the kids can be, where no harm can come to them.

I was born into growing greens, it really is genetic, I'm now carrying on the art, and hopefully the kids will benefit, as long as my gran and my dad hand the advice on :D

I don't have a large garden to enjoy at home, besides its full of bikes! So to get an allotment, which anyone who knows about them, will say, is like getting a piece of gold handed to you. This is the place I can finally start being me again, because before all the bikes came along, this is what I did, grow flowers and have a beautiful bit of greenery and colour in my back garden.


Lots of hard work, but very much worth it, if only the rain would stop.

Re: My new project.
 

Looks like you're making progress with it. And at least you know things will grow there - some of those weeds were on the large side!

Re: My new project.
 

LARGE??


I'm glad I didn't succumb to the lure of a greenhouse on the other plot they were offering, the poor couple who took that are still staring at weeds taller than me!!

Congratulations on obtaining a plot, looks like you are getting things in order. My wife was also lucky enough to get a good sized plot in January. I was pleased, because I thought it would give me more time on the SV, wife hates bikes, but as it turns out I have spent more time at the allotment than at work. With putting up a bloody aluminium greenhouse with 10 thousand nuts and bolts only for it to blow away and crush into scrap, which someone stole before I had a chance to remove. I then spent two weeks building a wooden frame and re-used the poly carb panels, the end result was good if I don't say myself but for the total cost to build both greenhouses we could have bought a hell of a lot of veg! . I hope the weather improves soon, for the allotment and me :-)

Re: My new project.
 

Oh no!!!! It does happen a lot, the blowing away of shed or greenhouse :(

I do have a greenhouse coming my way soon, kindly offered by a friend buying a new house, and the greenhouse is surplus to requirement :D Even if for now it acts as shelter from the rain!

As far as it being 'oh good, now I'll have some peace' ;), Peg really isn't interested, but its funny how so far hes built me two compost bins and made some raised bed frames.
The bins are from new pallets kindly donated by the new houses being built in my back garden, and the bed frames are recycled joist timber from our old shed.

I am really grateful for his skills in truck driving, drills and saw. Still can't get him to do any weeding though :rolleyes:

I am not to keen on the weeding. I have considered buying a rotavator but they are pricey and I am not sure how much use it would get. I suppose time will tell. I think this year will be a preparation year with next being a better harvest but we have managed to get a good crop of rhubarb but then we are in the triangle

Re: My new project.
 

If you have lots of weeds, especially deep rooted, don't use a rotivator. It chops up the roots ans helps them spread!
I've got loads of rhubarb, I'm giving it away, there's so much!

Re: My new project.
 

Im not lovely Dizz, im a miserable **** :p Wow you have done a fair bit of graft Farmer Dizz :notworthy: Where's your 'Get orf moi larrrrrnd' sign ;) You is well jammy i could spend hours on a plot like that have you got your growing plans drawn up yet. Dont forget a little shelter to sit and have a brew in as you look out upon your hard work. Jealous much ;)

Dont forget one of these for when your plants start to grow, just to keep them safe :p

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CK_D2rl8v7...fmylandsr8.jpg

Re: My new project.
 

That looks like hard work to me, but satisfying. Great work and enjoy playing with organic fertilizer, that sh*t stinks! :D

If you grow any beans, let me know. I love beans! :smt016

Re: My new project.
 

Hang on Geo....that is me!

I do have a plan as it happens, this one includes whats already in the middle beds, and what I have in mind, all subject to change of course!
Jayne, if this rain stops and I can get in there, I will be planting some late beans and peas........but I reckon I could get away with stuff thats usually already been sown and waiting for harvest, coz all this wrong weather probably means summer will be here next month ;)

as you can see, raised beds and bins are in place....there abouts! Probably get much more in than whats here on my little picture, but when I did it, I hadn't realised how big it was until the weeds were strimmed.



http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...22473974_n.jpg

BTW, there is a little signpost, where the flower bed part is(blue tarpaulin on the photo) so I reckon 'gerrrorf moi llaaand' should fit on there ;)