The Poultry Keeper

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Well, yesterday I had a tour of the local allotments, of which I am trying to get one, to no avail. I was inspired and came home and dug a 2 metre square deep bed (two feet down), edged it and tipped a load of good compost onto it to be dug in this afternoon. I also rang the tree surgeon and made an appointment to have the tall trees at the south end topped dramatically, to ensure my new veg patch has light all day! Very Happy

I can barely stand today and my digging arm is in bits, but I'm sooo pleased with myself. I've been trying to convince hubby to move and/or to get an allotment and neither is going to happen for about 5 years given finances and council waiting lists. So I'm not going to moan anymore, just make the best of what I have! Laughing

Now, I plan to grow spinach, lambs lettuce, iceberg lettuce, spring onions and a last ditch attempt for some late carrots. Do you guys have any other advice for some winter veg? I have sprouting broccolli elsewhere & don't eat cabbage! Oh and radishes & beetroot too.

NannyP · Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

I have no idea what you can put in now, and I am sure there will be loads of things.
Well done.
Very Happy

hollowlegs · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Hampshire

Hi there EGirl,
It's getting a bit late in the season now but perhaps you will consider growing some turnips & leeks. They go on growing in colder weather so if you get some seeds in now, you could give them a fleece cover when the colder temperatures arrive.
Incidentally, if you need a bit more growing area, can you get hold of some of the huge aggregate bags the builders merchants supply sand & gravel etc. in? They are really great if you don't have much garden to spare as they can be sited anywhere that's got light & air. They take a fair bit of soil & are not particularly pretty, especially the yellow ones, but hey, who cares as long as it gives a bit more growing area, & I can vouch for their performance! Very Happy

Good luck & keep growing! there's nothing like your own veg!
Ann.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hi Ann, well I transferred some spring onions and planted a row of carrot seed beside them, worth a try. I thinned my lettuce and replanted the thinnings in the new bed along with some beetroot seedlings and radish and I've lambs lettuce to go in today. we'll see how they go.

hollowlegs · Joined: 04 Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Location: Hampshire

Well done EGirl, you're lucky the weather allowed any gardening this weekend! There was a real Autumnal feel in the air this morning but at least the sun is trying to get a foothold today!
Am going to attempt a mowing in a minute as the forcast for this week is pretty 'iffy' but at least our 5 water butts are full again.
Good luck & best wishes,
Ann.

robgodfrey · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

Have a go at Garlic - just get some decent bulbs, split them up and plant the individual cloves about 2 ins deep. They are tough as old boots (as long as your soil is reasonably well-drained) and will be ready by July next year and don't take up much room.

You have plenty of time as most people plant them around Octber/November.

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Will do, I eat tons of the stuff Robgodfrey. Any other ideas for winter crops or early spring? Don't want to waste an inch!

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7424 Location: isle of lewis

curly kale is fantastic ,you can just pull the leaves Wink

robgodfrey · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Not ignoring your advice at all but put in spinach, beetroot and radish seedlings today, as well as the Garlic and lovage, tarragon & sorrell too. Just to see what happens, it's wet & warm so they may give a late crop. If not, I've lost nothing as I started late. Ta!

rovergirl · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dublin

We used to have one of the Fingal allotments, but it was too far away to get to often enough - we gave it up after 3 years. Those ones have now gone under the bulldozer anyway....have you looked around for any unused land near you? There are other ways...

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

There's a patch behind my house! I have considered planting a bit of it, sure what can they do but take it from me!

rovergirl · Joined: 15 Jun 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Dublin

I'm working on that basis - just time, effort and a few seeds - have had one crop anyway!

Dusty · Joined: 07 Jan 2008 Posts: 1042 Location: St. Asaph

Well done Egirl, have to admit I admire your guts at digging it yourself Laughing

I used the no dig system first time o my veg bed and then asked Father Christmas for a rotovator Laughing

My mates think i'm mad, they got jewels I got a rotovator Laughing

You can start broad beans off soon for next year- yummy

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1322 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Hi Dusty, well it's only a small patch, so it took me an afternoon. Strictly no dig from now on though, I've made the walls high so I can just keep adding compost. Very Happy

My mates also think I'm a nut, but I can think of a million things I'd like instead of bling or smellies.....wood, weldmesh, new shed, lawnmower, butter churn, cheese press, baskets, wool, crochet book, new wellies, a boot room....the list is endless!!! Laughing