Allotments4All - User contributions [en-gb]

Compost

2006-02-07T11:18:22Z

Ceratonia:

This is the stub of an article on compost. I'm sure there's a lot more can be said - Ceratonia.

'''Why Compost?'''

Incorporating compost into your soil improves the soil structure - addition of organic matter improves drainage, water holding capacity and aeration. It also provides valuable nutrients. In short, it makes your plants grow better!

Making your own compost saves money and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites. And digging rich, brown, crumbly friable compost out of a heap is a very satisfying part of growing stuff.

'''How do I make compost?'''

In essence, you make a big heap of compostable material and wait. The actual decomposition is done by a wide variety of earthworms, fungi, bacteria and other small creatures. The time to produce useable compost could be as short as two months, or as long as two years.

You can shorten the waiting time and improve the quality of the final product by paying attention to the balance of materials in the heap, by ensuring the correct amounts of water and air reach the decomposing material, by raising the temperature of the heap and by regular mixing.

Water is required for composting - very dry matter will take a long time to rot. On the other hand, too much water will stop the heap getting hot and wash away nutrients. Air is also required - this can be a problem if the heap becomes compressed, with no bulky material (eg all grass cuttings). Anaerobic decomposition is the result - the heap gets slimy and smelly.

Mixing simply means that the heap typically has to be turned once or twice. Having multiple compost bins may make this easier.

Shredding the material before it goes on the heap makes a big difference to decomposition times - it gives more surface area to the bacteria, better aeration and better mixing.

'''What can be composted?'''

Plant material - fallen [[leaves]], [[weeds]], prunings, [[grass cuttings]], [[manure]], straw and hay, newspaper, cardboard, vegetable and fruit scraps, tea bags etc. Avoid meat, fish, cooked food, dog and cat "manure", glossy paper, ash from coal fires. Some materials (eg tree branches/twigs & other woody plants) may take a long time to decompose and may not be worth composting.

You should also avoid composting diseased plant material. The hot temperature of the heap will kill certain problems, but others (eg [[clubroot]], [[white rot]]) may survive. Similarly, it is often sensible to avoid composting weeds with seedheads or perennial weeds such as [[bindweed]] or [[ground elder]]. Again, a hot heap will sterilise these problems, but a colder heap may not. Eucalyptus leaves should not be composted, as they can be toxic to other plants. Holly leaves take for ever to decompose.

Better results are obtained by ensuring a balance between 'brown' (eg fallen leaves) and 'green' material (eg grass cuttings). This relates to the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the heap.

'''Compost bins'''

These can be the green daleks that many councils give away or sell cheaply. Or a wooden bin, made of old pallets. In general, the bigger the heap, the hotter it will get and the better the decomposition process.

'''How to use compost'''

Use it as a mulch, or dig it in!

'''Compost Tea'''

It's liquid compost. Take your compost, add water, strain and use as a liquid feed. Can also be made using freshly cut nettles or comfrey. Soak plants in small amounts of water until decomposed. Dilute the resulting solution until it has the color of weak tea, apply to plants as general watering once each week.

'''Composting with worms'''

This is a special method, used to produce wormcasts from food scraps. Very different from normal outdoor composting.

January

2006-02-02T11:19:20Z

Ceratonia:

Not much can be sown outdoors in January, but indoors, one can sow salad vegetables (eg [[lettuce]]), [[onions]], [[summer cabbage]] and [[cauliflowers]] and [[spinach]]. These will germinate at temperatures of 13-16°C and will do well on a bright window sill. The seedlings will have to be pricked out in and potted on for hardening off under [[cloches]] or in [[cold frames]] in February before being planted in the open ground in March.

[[Tomatoes]], [[peppers]] and [[aubergines]] may also be sown in January, if a heated greenhouse or conservatory is available. It is too early to sow these crops otherwise, as they cannot go into an unheated greenhouse or outdoors until April or May and will become [[etiolated]] if grown indoors, unless artifical lighting can be used.

January is not too late to plant [[Garlic]], although some varieties do prefer an earlier start.

[[Strawberry]] seeds may be sown indoors at 20°C in January, for planting out in April. Bare root fruit bushes/trees may be planted out, when soil and weather conditions are suitable (ie not too cold and wet). Pruning of [[soft]] fruit and [[apple]]/[[pear]] trees which was not done early may also be done in January, provided it is not freezing. Hardwood cuttings of [[gooseberries]] and currants may be taken also.

January

2006-02-02T11:16:40Z

Ceratonia:

Not much can be sown outdoors in January, but indoors, one can sow salad vegetables (eg lettuce), onions, summer cabbage and cauliflowers and spinach.
These will germinate at temperatures of 13-16°C and will do well on a bright window sill. The seedlings will have to be pricked out in and potted on for hardening off under cloches or in cold frames in February before being planted in the open ground in March.

Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines may also be sown in January, if a heated greenhouse or conservatory is available. It is too early to sow these crops otherwise, as they cannot go into an unheated greenhouse or outdoors until April or May and will become etiolated if grown indoors, unless artifical lighting can be used.

January is not too late to plant Garlic, although some varieties do prefer an earlier start.

Strawberry seeds may be sown indoors in January, for planting out in April. Bare root fruit bushes/trees may be planted out, when soil and weather conditions are suitable (ie not too cold and wet). Pruning of soft fruit and apple/pear trees which was not done early may also be done in January, provided it is not freezing. Hardwood cuttings of gooseberries and currants may be taken also.

Links to seed catalogues

2006-01-30T13:50:17Z

Ceratonia:

This is a work in progress...

Please feel free to add any of your favourites that I might have missed, and any comments or reviews of the sites listed.

Cheers,

Bupster.

[[Main Page]]

*[http://www.alanromans.com Alan Romans]
Potato mad. Also (slightly limited) range of seeds at just 50p a packet.
*[http://www.chileseeds.co.uk The Chilli Seed Company]
Does what it says on the tin.
*[http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/index Chiltern Seeds]
No pictures but very entertaining descriptions of a good range of flowers, fruit and vegetables, including an enormous selection of wildflowers.
*[http://www.www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk DT Brown]
"Excellent seed suppliers that work out fairly cheap." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.edwintucker.com Edwin Tucker]
"Very very good seed supplier, especially good for spuds, but I am biased as my family have used this outfit for over 50 years." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.fothergills.co.uk Mr Fothergill's]
Very wide range of seeds in useful categories.
*[http://www.exhibition-seeds.co.uk/acatalog Exhibition Seeds]
For the exhibitionists amongst us.
*[http://www.hdra.org.uk Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic)]
Heritage seed library. Different range every year; members can choose twelve, of which they receive their top six plus a lucky dip.
*[http://www.kingsseeds.com Kings]
If you have an allotment, you probably get most of your seeds here. Kings have a deal with several allotment societies - so check before you order online.
*[http://www.meadowmania.co.uk Meadowmania]
Organic herbs and vegetables and, peculiarly, horse paddock grass mixtures. Should you like your manure fresh.
*[http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds Nicky's Nursery]
Not a particularly pretty site but a good range, especially of chilli peppers, and reasonably priced.
*[http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog The Organic Gardening Catalogue]
The first stop if you're gardening organically with a huge range, but can be pricy. Commercial arm of the HDRA (now Garden Organic).
*[http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk Plants of Distinction]
Mail order only - the most attractive seed catalogue you'll ever own. A pleasure to browse.
*[http://www.vidaverde.co.uk The Real Seed Catalogue]
'Real' seeds from a firm that started on a Cambridge allotment. No hybrids. Many heirloom varieties. Reasonable prices, generous quantities, and customers are encouraged to save their own seeds.
*[http://www.readytogrow.co.uk Ready to Grow]
Suppliers of a range of rare and unusual seeds including chilli seeds, heirloom tomato seeds, banana seeds and exotic fruit seeds.
*[http://www.seedfest.co.uk/ Roguelands Heirloom Vegetables]
No, I hadn't heard of them either. Heirloom seeds, with a quite extraordinary range of tomatoes. Also grow your own loofah.
*[http://www.thecuttinggarden.com Sarah Raven]
Very pretty website but outrageously expensive.
*[http://www.secretseeds.com Secret Seeds]
Rare and unusual seeds. Organic vegetables and herbs, though not all that rare or unusual.
*[http://www.seedsofitaly.com Seeds of Italy]
Wonderful range but be careful what you order as some packets contain up to 10,000 seeds!
*[http://www.suttons-seeds.co.uk Suttons Seeds]
Major seed supplier.
*[http://www.seeds.thompson-morgan.com Thompson and Morgan]
Another major supplier, T&M often have special offers - the current season's offer is your most expensive packet of seeds free. Dangerous, if you ask me.

A few more....

*[http://www.dobies.co.uk Dobies]
Long-established supplier of seeds and plants
*[http://www.mammothonion.co.uk/ Mammoth Seeds]
W Robinson's Mammoth Vegetable seeds. Sounds like you can grow your own woolly elephant type animal.
*[http://www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/ Medwyn's prize vegetables]
Medwyn Williams has won many Chelsea prizes for his veg - this is his seedshop
*[http://www.cnseeds.co.uk/ CN Seeds]
Supplier to commercial growers of herbs and salads, but they sell to the public, too and offer a few things you don't see elsewhere.
*[http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/homepage.htm Moles Seeds]
Another big supplier to the large scale grower - probably of interest only if you have a need to buy cheaply in bulk.

Compost

2006-01-30T13:29:48Z

Ceratonia:

This is the stub of an article on compost. I'm sure there's a lot more can be said - Ceratonia.

'''Why Compost?'''

Incorporating compost into your soil improves the soil structure - addition of organic matter improves drainage, water holding capacity and aeration. It also provides valuable nutrients. In short, it makes your plants grow better!

Making your own compost saves money and reduces the amount of waste going to landfill sites. And digging rich, brown, crumbly friable compost out of a heap is a very satisfying part of growing stuff.

'''How do I make compost?'''

In essence, you make a big heap of compostable material and wait. The actual decomposition is done by a wide variety of earthworms, fungi, bacteria and other small creatures. The time to produce useable compost could be as short as two months, or as long as two years.

You can shorten the waiting time and improve the quality of the final product by paying attention to the balance of materials in the heap, by ensuring the correct amounts of water and air reach the decomposing material, by raising the temperature of the heap and by regular mixing.

Water is required for composting - very dry matter will take a long time to rot. On the other hand, too much water will stop the heap getting hot and wash away nutrients. Air is also required - this can be a problem if the heap becomes compressed, with no bulky material (eg all grass cuttings). Anaerobic decomposition is the result - the heap gets slimy and smelly.

Mixing simply means that the heap typically has to be turned once or twice. Having multiple compost bins may make this easier.

Shredding the material before it goes on the heap makes a big difference to decomposition times - it gives more surface area to the bacteria, better aeration and better mixing.

'''What can be composted?'''

Plant material - fallen leaves, weeds, prunings, grass cuttings, manure, straw and hay, newspaper, cardboard, vegetable and fruit scraps, tea bags etc. Avoid meat, fish, cooked food, dog and cat "manure", glossy paper, ash from coal fires. Some materials (eg tree branches/twigs & other woody plants) may take a long time to decompose and may not be worth composting.

You should also avoid composting diseased plant material. The hot temperature of the heap will kill certain problems, but others (eg clubroot, white rot) may survive. Similarly, it is often sensible to avoid composting weeds with seedheads or perennial weeds such as bindweed or ground elder. Again, a hot heap will sterilise these problems, but a colder heap may not. Eucalyptus leaves should not be composted, as they can be toxic to other plants. Holly leaves take for ever to decompose.

Better results are obtained by ensuring a balamnce between 'brown' (eg fallen leaves) and 'green' material (eg grass cuttings). This relates to the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the heap.

'''Compost bins'''

These can be the green daleks that many councils give away or sell cheaply. Or a wooden bin, made of old pallets. In general, the bigger the heap, the hotter it will get and the better the decomposition process.

'''How to use compost'''

Use it as a mulch, or dig it in!

'''Compost Tea'''

It's liquid compost. Take your compost, add water, strain and use as a liquid feed

'''Composting with worms'''

This is a special method, used to produce wormcasts from food scraps. Very different from normal outdoor composting.

Links to seed catalogues

2006-01-30T12:40:16Z

Ceratonia:

This is a work in progress...

Please feel free to add any of your favourites that I might have missed, and any comments or reviews of the sites listed.

Cheers,

Bupster.

[[Main Page]]

*[http://www.alanromans.com Alan Romans]
Potato mad. Also (slightly limited) range of seeds at just 50p a packet.
*[http://www.chileseeds.co.uk The Chilli Seed Company]
Does what it says on the tin.
*[http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/index Chiltern Seeds]
No pictures but very entertaining descriptions of a good range of flowers, fruit and vegetables, including an enormous selection of wildflowers.
*[http://www.www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk DT Brown]
"Excellent seed suppliers that work out fairly cheap." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.edwintucker.com Edwin Tucker]
"Very very good seed supplier, especially good for spuds, but I am biased as my family have used this outfit for over 50 years." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.fothergills.co.uk Mr Fothergill's]
Very wide range of seeds in useful categories.
*[http://www.exhibition-seeds.co.uk/acatalog Exhibition Seeds]
For the exhibitionists amongst us.
*[http://www.hdra.org.uk Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic)]
Heritage seed library. Different range every year; members can choose twelve, of which they receive their top six plus a lucky dip.
*[http://www.kingsseeds.com Kings]
If you have an allotment, you probably get most of your seeds here. Kings have a deal with several allotment societies - so check before you order online.
*[http://www.meadowmania.co.uk Meadowmania]
Organic herbs and vegetables and, peculiarly, horse paddock grass mixtures. Should you like your manure fresh.
*[http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds Nicky's Nursery]
Not a particularly pretty site but a good range, especially of chilli peppers, and reasonably priced.
*[http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog The Organic Gardening Catalogue]
The first stop if you're gardening organically with a huge range, but can be pricy. Commercial arm of the HDRA (now Garden Organic).
*[http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk Plants of Distinction]
Mail order only - the most attractive seed catalogue you'll ever own. A pleasure to browse.
*[http://www.vidaverde.co.uk The Real Seed Catalogue]
'Real' seeds from a firm that started on a Cambridge allotment. No hybrids. Many heirloom varieties. Reasonable prices, generous quantities, and customers are encouraged to save their own seeds.
*[http://www.readytogrow.co.uk Ready to Grow]
Suppliers of a range of rare and unusual seeds including chilli seeds, heirloom tomato seeds, banana seeds and exotic fruit seeds.
*[http://www.seedfest.co.uk/ Roguelands Heirloom Vegetables]
No, I hadn't heard of them either. Heirloom seeds, with a quite extraordinary range of tomatoes. Also grow your own loofah.
*[http://www.thecuttinggarden.com Sarah Raven]
Very pretty website but outrageously expensive.
*[http://www.secretseeds.com Secret Seeds]
Rare and unusual seeds. Organic vegetables and herbs, though not all that rare or unusual.
*[http://www.seedsofitaly.com Seeds of Italy]
Wonderful range but be careful what you order as some packets contain up to 10,000 seeds!
*[http://www.suttons-seeds.co.uk Suttons Seeds]
Major seed supplier.
*[http://www.seeds.thompson-morgan.com Thompson and Morgan]
Another major supplier, T&M often have special offers - the current season's offer is your most expensive packet of seeds free. Dangerous, if you ask me.

A few more....

*[http://www.dobies.co.uk Dobies]
Long-established supplier of seeds and plants
*[http://www.mammothonion.co.uk/ Mammoth Onion]
W Robinson's Mammoth seeds. Sounds like you can grow your own woolly elephant type animal.
*[http://www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/ Medwyn's prize vegetables]
Medwyn Williams has won many Chelsea prizes for his veg - this is his seedshop
*[http://www.cnseeds.co.uk/ CN Seeds]
Supplier to commercial growers of herbs and salads, but they sell to the public, too and offer a few things you don't see elsewhere.
*[http://www.readytogrow.co.uk/seeds/index.html Ready to Grow]
Exotic fruits, chillis and heirloom tomatoes.
*[http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/homepage.htm Moles Seeds]
Another big supplier to the large scale grower - probably of interest only if you have a need to buy cheaply in bulk.

Links to seed catalogues

2006-01-30T12:39:46Z

Ceratonia:

This is a work in progress...

Please feel free to add any of your favourites that I might have missed, and any comments or reviews of the sites listed.

Cheers,

Bupster.

[[Main Page]]

*[http://www.alanromans.com Alan Romans]
Potato mad. Also (slightly limited) range of seeds at just 50p a packet.
*[http://www.chileseeds.co.uk The Chilli Seed Company]
Does what it says on the tin.
*[http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/index Chiltern Seeds]
No pictures but very entertaining descriptions of a good range of flowers, fruit and vegetables, including an enormous selection of wildflowers.
*[http://www.www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk DT Brown]
"Excellent seed suppliers that work out fairly cheap." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.edwintucker.com Edwin Tucker]
"Very very good seed supplier, especially good for spuds, but I am biased as my family have used this outfit for over 50 years." - Sandersj89.
*[http://www.fothergills.co.uk Mr Fothergill's]
Very wide range of seeds in useful categories.
*[http://www.exhibition-seeds.co.uk/acatalog Exhibition Seeds]
For the exhibitionists amongst us.
*[http://www.hdra.org.uk Henry Doubleday Research Association (now Garden Organic)]
Heritage seed library. Different range every year; members can choose twelve, of which they receive their top six plus a lucky dip.
*[http://www.kingsseeds.com Kings]
If you have an allotment, you probably get most of your seeds here. Kings have a deal with several allotment societies - so check before you order online.
*[http://www.meadowmania.co.uk Meadowmania]
Organic herbs and vegetables and, peculiarly, horse paddock grass mixtures. Should you like your manure fresh.
*[http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds Nicky's Nursery]
Not a particularly pretty site but a good range, especially of chilli peppers, and reasonably priced.
*[http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog The Organic Gardening Catalogue]
The first stop if you're gardening organically with a huge range, but can be pricy. Commercial arm of the HDRA (now Garden Organic).
*[http://www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk Plants of Distinction]
Mail order only - the most attractive seed catalogue you'll ever own. A pleasure to browse.
*[http://www.vidaverde.co.uk The Real Seed Catalogue]
'Real' seeds from a firm that started on a Cambridge allotment. No hybrids. Many heirloom varieties. Reasonable prices, generous quantities, and customers are encouraged to save their own seeds.
*[http://www.readytogrow.co.uk Ready to Grow]
Suppliers of a range of rare and unusual seeds including chilli seeds, heirloom tomato seeds, banana seeds and exotic fruit seeds.
*[http://www.seedfest.co.uk/ Roguelands Heirloom Vegetables]
No, I hadn't heard of them either. Heirloom seeds, with a quite extraordinary range of tomatoes. Also grow your own loofah.
*[http://www.thecuttinggarden.com Sarah Raven]
Very pretty website but outrageously expensive.
*[http://www.secretseeds.com Secret Seeds]
Rare and unusual seeds. Organic vegetables and herbs, though not all that rare or unusual.
*[http://www.seedsofitaly.com Seeds of Italy]
Wonderful range but be careful what you order as some packets contain up to 10,000 seeds!
*[http://www.suttons-seeds.co.uk Suttons Seeds]
Major seed supplier.
*[http://www.seeds.thompson-morgan.com Thompson and Morgan]
Another major supplier, T&M often have special offers - the current season's offer is your most expensive packet of seeds free. Dangerous, if you ask me.

A few more....

*[http://www.dobies.co.uk Dobies]
Long-established supplier of seeds and plants
*[http://www.mammothonion.co.uk/ Mammoth Onion]
W Robinson's Mammoth seeds. Sounds like you can grow your own woolly elephant type animal.
*[http://www.medwynsofanglesey.co.uk/ Medwyn's prize vegetables]
Medwyn Williams has won many Chelsea prizes for his veg - this is his seedshop
*[http://www.cnseeds.co.uk/ CN Seeds]
Supplier to commercial growers of herbs and salads, but they sell to the public, too and offer a few things you don't see elsewhere.
[http://www.readytogrow.co.uk/seeds/index.html Ready to Grow]
Exotic fruits, chillis and heirloom tomatoes.
*[http://www.molesseeds.co.uk/homepage.htm Moles Seeds]
Another big supplier to the large scale grower - probably of interest only if you have a need to buy cheaply in bulk.