Pests.

[Good Gourd 2]

I am nearly giving up this allotment idea I can cope with caterpillars, weeds, lack of water but this year so far.  Potatoes dammaged by frost, peas, beetroot, Brussels, cabbage, Brock all eaten or pull ed out by  pigeons/crows. Carrots in 3ft high containers to avoid carrot fly. Grandaughter thought she would dig in the very place that I had just set some seeds. gooseberries dropping off probably lack of water. Next doors plot so full of weeds they are blowing all over mine.  Ive had this plot for 7 years, it now looks like a building site there is so much debris netting and constructions to keep pest away. I am NOT going down today see if I feel a bit better about it tomorrow.   :(

[Good Gourd 2]

[gardentg44]

Never give up ;D

[elvis2003]

hugs of sympathy on your way good gourd! did you have back up seeds in in case of frost disaster?(not too lateto start peas or beetroot again,i hope not anyway as im about to do so!) can you have a friendly word with next door..or get a committee member to do it for you? our plot too is covered in netting cos of the flying rats,we all pretty much take it as a given that they will strip a plant in 2 seconds flat,swines!
hope you feel more cheery and positive with this brill weather forecast for the next few days,chin up old bean
Rach
x x x x

[Stevens706]

Don't give just think of all the hard work it took to get the plot into a great condition (7 years), I would speak to the council etc about the unworked plot and get them removed.

[Crystalmoon]

Hi there Good Gourd, I can totally empathise with how you are feeling, especially as Im struggling to keep on my allotment with the awful pain of severe arthritis in my knees. When I can get lovely fresh organic veg delivered to my door from a local farm it does at times seem mad to be doing all this work to run an allotment as by the time Ive bought all the netting/fleece etc to keep off the flying rat thieves it doesnt work out that much cheaper for me to grow my own. All the problems with brassica pests, the slugs, local yobs throwing stones, my neighbours plot being a weed festival etc etc can be really tiring & disheartening
BUT & it is a huge BUT........I know I would really miss the tranquility I mostly experience when I am at my allotment. I would miss the joy of eating food I have grown myself. I would miss being part of a community like A4A.
I have decided that this will probably be the last year I grow crops like brassicas that are so vulnerable to attack in so many different ways. I am experimenting with a variety of squash plants this year & learning about other things I can grow next year that will not attract carrot root fly etc. Maybe you could do the same & have a year off next year from the veg that is causing you to feel so fed up at the moment? 
I am also sowing most of my crops at home & planting out at the allotment when they are stronger & more able to defend themselves, that may work for you too in the future?
I do hope after having a few days away from your allotment you will rediscover the joy of being there.
My very beat wishes to you

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've felt that way several time after my plot has been devastated by floods. But never give up! Net everything against flying rats; it's not too late to replant. Your spuds should recover in no time.

[goodlife]

Oh it happens all of us..one year it all goes pear shape and next is glut and don't know where to shove it all ::)..
But it early gardening days yet..most of the stuff can still be sown and re-done ;D
Yes I'm afraid..its all nets and covers over here too..otherwise it will be eaten to ground in no time....

[florence]

I quite understand, the fox has dug up all the parsnip seedlings, the mice eaten the peas and goodness knows what's razing off the carrots at ground level, but even though it's disheartening sometimes the good outweighs the bad. I can currently cook asparagus for dinner, and pick fresh lettuce, spring onions and raddish and flowers for the house if not much else. If nothing else it's good exercise and think of the armfuls of beans and courgettes to come.
Good luck!

[valmarg]

Good Gourd, I can understamd your frustrations.  Growing is a difficult task.

You say that your potatoes have been 'damaged' by frost.  You don't say they have been killed.  The frost might have knocked them back a week or two, but it shouldn't have killed them.

I'm a big believer in keeping wood pigeons out of the garden.  The best place for them is in a pie, and even then they dont taste very good. ;D ;D

The thing about gardening, aka growing your own, is that when its been a bad year for several things, I'm going to do soo much better next year.

Nil desperandum.  I'm going to do so much better next year, and that's what keeps us going.

C'mon, you have setbacks, but you will get wonderful harvests in the next six monthes ;D

valmarg

[Good Gourd 2]

Thank you all for your support, yes I know  everyone has the same probs and not just me.  Today I`m taking the tea flask some sarnys  to the lotty and just enjoy the day. Thanks everyone. :)