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New Allotment... Maybe...
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cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 3:54 pm    Post subject: New Allotment... Maybe... Reply with quote
    

I'm off to see a couple of allotments tomorrow evening.

Two years ago, I took on an allotment. I then promptly came off my bike and made a mess of several ribs, so I couldn't dig for a while. Trying to wrench some of that damned horseradish out was one of the most painful things I've ever tried!

Tomorrow I see some plots between 5 poles and (I think) 25 poles, on the Old Chesterton site in Cambridge. I'm so very tempted, but I'll need to give serious consideration to what I can grow there that's low(ish) maintenance.

I think I'll take one on. I don't know.

Wish me luck.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Tkae it there's loads of low maintenance stuff you can grow

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 3:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Do it - I took my plot on when our baby was born, not the greatest of timing, but there's loads of stuff that's low maintenance - just don't overstretch. If you're uncertain about the time available just take on a half plot.


cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Tkae it there's loads of low maintenance stuff you can grow


What's good and low maintenance? Bear in mind that I'm in the driest part of England

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Carrots and parsnips, I usually fit and forget.

Don't grow any leafy veg, they'll all bolt

Potatos are relatively easy.

Onions and garlic definitely

Chick peas

Fenugreek

I'll carry on thinking

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

New Potatoes
Parsnips
Salsify
Scorzonera
Beetroot
leeks

easy to plant direct and then just an occasional weeding and thining.

The following can be started in pots and planted out, or planted direct and just left to it with the occasional weeding.

Cover these with netting to stop birds/butterflies
Cabbages
Brussels
Kale
PSB

You just have to be around to harvest these
Sweetcorn
Broadbeans
French beans
runner beans

Anything that says few pests or stands well in the catelogue description is usually a good bet.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Carrots and parsnips, I usually fit and forget.

Don't grow any leafy veg, they'll all bolt

Potatos are relatively easy.

Onions and garlic definitely

Chick peas

Fenugreek

I'll carry on thinking


Great, I'll need all the suggestions I can get

Spuds are certainly going in. Carrots are certainly fire and forget, once you get past the first few weeks. Onions CAN be really easy, but it's dry around here so they've got a tendency to bold (damn them). Any suggested varieties that are less bolty?

I've never grown chick peas. Should I use the dried ones I normally sprout? What are their growing habits?

Fenugreek... Whats it useful for?

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Leeks definitely, brilliant to grow. So you don't need to water your beans?

First attempt last year, just dwarf Frenchies they did well, no comparison to the shop bought stuff.

Definitely don't grow courgettes/cucumbers/squashes unless you've got the time to water.

I'd grow some caraway, cumin, coriander and fennel (non bulbing), just let them go to seed and dry out. Much more pungent than shop bought spices.

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Behemoth wrote:
New Potatoes
Parsnips
Salsify
Scorzonera
Beetroot
leeks

easy to plant direct and then just an occasional weeding and thining.


Beetroot sometimes does really well here, but I've had one crop mysteriously vanish overnight from the garden (and be replaced by lots of snail trails). Parsnips are going to be a must... What are their watering requirements?

Quote:

The following can be started in pots and planted out, or planted direct and just left to it with the occasional weeding.

Cover these with netting to stop birds/butterflies
Cabbages
Brussels
Kale
PSB


Kale and cabbage will be a must I think, if I can only get down to keep them watered.

Quote:

You just have to be around to harvest these
Sweetcorn
Broadbeans
French beans
runner beans

Anything that says few pests or stands well in the catelogue description is usually a good bet.


Thanks for the advice... Most of those I've grown, but always in the back garden where I can be on hand to pick off beasties, water, weed, etc. Managing an allotment is going to have to be less 'touchy feely', but I'm keen to have a go anyway

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

tahir wrote:
Leeks definitely, brilliant to grow. So you don't need to water your beans?

First attempt last year, just dwarf Frenchies they did well, no comparison to the shop bought stuff.

Definitely don't grow courgettes/cucumbers/squashes unless you've got the time to water.

I'd grow some caraway, cumin, coriander and fennel (non bulbing), just let them go to seed and dry out. Much more pungent than shop bought spices.


We have fennel and coriander in the garden anyway (more useful having herbs close to the kitchen, I think). But I've never grown cumin and caraway, I've only used the leaves. Do they work well as kitchen herbs rather than spices?

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cab wrote:
I've never grown chick peas. Should I use the dried ones I normally sprout? What are their growing habits?

Fenugreek... Whats it useful for?


Normal chick peas will grow fine, if it's cool when you sow them just sow as is, if it's warming up soak overnight before planting, they grow very low, and have lovely (edible) foliage.

Fenugreek leaves are a great addition to most curries, pakoras and a whole host of Indian recipes, the seeds are useful too, so it's useful even if it bolts. They have a "curry" kind of flavour

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cab wrote:
I've never grown cumin and caraway, I've only used the leaves. Do they work well as kitchen herbs rather than spices?


I've never used the leaves only the seeds which I use liberally, coriander and cumin especially are indispensible in my kitchen. And we've always used a fennel seed tea instead of gripe water for the kids.

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cab wrote:
Parsnips are going to be a must... What are their watering requirements?


Minimal

cab



Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thanks guys... I've got more to think about now

tahir



Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45389
Location: Essex
PostPosted: Thu Feb 10, 05 4:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Cab wrote:
Onions CAN be really easy, but it's dry around here so they've got a tendency to bold (damn them). Any suggested varieties that are less bolty?


They reckon heat treated sets don't bolt

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