New Allotment Diary

[Easywriter]

Hello again everyone

I still haven't got my new allotment - latest estimate is 'some time in May' - getting a bit late for things then? Should be about 35 sq m (about 115 sq ft in old money).

I've got Carrots, Onions, Parsnips, Leeks, Runner Beans, Cabbage doing quite nicely as seedlings, also got the same just starting to show in pots, planted from seed.

(I figured that if I can't keep up with the growth of the seedlings, I'll have the seeds following on a few weeks behind.)

Also got some (main crop) potatoes chitting away quite nicely, also some earlies with quite big roots, but they're getting a bit soft and squidgy now.

Probably still 4 weeks or so to planting - might all the above still be OK, or might I as well give up on them now?

(More postings to come under Manure Box and Soil Stabiliser.)

[Easywriter]

[cornykev]

Hi Easywriter, I would get then earlies planted in tubs or bags in your garden if possible, they should have been in by now.
The mains you should get away with, depending on when sometime in May is and when you get the plot will it be in any state to plant.
Carrots and parsnips can go straight in the ground.
In my opinion its too early for runners.
Cabbages should be OK.
Onions not sure about.
The experts will be along shortly, their probably just having their afternoon naps.     ;)     ;D ;D ;D

[Easywriter]

Thanks cornykev, I hear what you're saying. May is definitely a funny time to be starting things off, I suppose I should just be grateful that I've got an allotment!  :)

[GlentoranMark]

I started last May on a bare bones site. I only got building 6 raised beds due to my busy lifestyle but I got all of my basics in and all grew brilliantly. I was really pleased with the results.

I would suggest you cover everything in weed control until your ready to work on it, I went on two weeks holiday last June and came back to a forest. Protect your crop from bugs and slugs as they had a field day on my brassica's. Carrot fly and blight also hit me but I still got some of a crop. Onions and Leeks were fine if a little on the small side. Biggest success for me was Peas, Beans and Beetroot. String Beans were prolific. For all I grew, I still have stuff in the freezer.

BTW Garden Centres will be wanting rid of their seed potatoes in May and selling them off very cheaply. They will be well chitted already so look for early varieties and get them in.

Don't panic!

[Easywriter]

Thanks, good advice, makes me feel better. I'm not panicking, just itching to get started!

:-\

[caroline7758]

My earlies will be going in on Friday. They reckon spring is a month late this year, so I'm not worrying (I'm in the north - not sure where you are, Easywriter)

[javahart]

Hey easywriter, were you in The Village People?   ;D

YMCA..........

[Easywriter]

Har Har

NO!

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've planted spuds in May and got a good crop. You can plant earlies any time and they'll perform as long as the soil is warm enough for growth. Parsnips are OK to go in in May, but no later. Carrots are OK later. Cabbages - it depends what they are. Winter or spring cabbages would be OK later, autumn ones need to be in. You can easily get brassica plants, so that might be the answer for this year, unless you've got space to grow a few on in pots.

Don't take on too much and then find you can't clear the ground for them. Spuds are good in weedy ground as they'll outperform most of the weeds as long as you get rid of any turf first.