Allotment19

2008-11-03T07:33:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you negelect your plot for too long.

Carling Pea

2008-11-02T04:50:00.001-08:00

Carling Pea 2008 .

The flowers on this variety are quite attractive and could also be used as a decorative climber.

Slipping...

2007-12-23T12:21:00.000-08:00

Just lately we've been slipping on the allotment duties.

A period of "over-wintering" is how it has been described.

The onions are slowly growing and 3 out of 7 beds are all ready for turning over next season.

This season we intend on adopting a more intensive system, concentrating on the crops that reap us nice rewards last season.

word out,,

J

3 sisters

2007-07-20T01:18:00.001-07:00

The 3sisters bed

Some beans are doing better than others.

Horseradish

2007-07-20T01:15:00.000-07:00

The Horseradish has started to flower

Paper Lantern Chillies

2007-07-10T00:28:00.001-07:00

cucumber

2007-07-10T00:26:00.001-07:00

Cucumbers

2007-06-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

The first set of cucumbers have started to flower on this feminized variety grown indoors.

Empty Garlic Bed

2007-06-29T10:50:00.001-07:00

The last of the garlic bulbs have been lifted today.

This bed is now being made ready for autumn and next season.

3 sisters

2007-06-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

The 3 sisters bed seems to improve with each visit to plot19. Other people on site still seem to have blades of grass as sweetcorn, whereas we have stout plants.

This sweetcorn is our healthiest crop so far. Very happy with overall growth.

Many plants have cobs already,,, and it's still June ;o)

Garlic Harvest

2007-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

We harvested some garlic today.

Peppers (indoors)

2007-06-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

A selection of peppers from indoors:

Temps between 20-35c

Numex Big Jim - apparently the biggest hot pepper in the world (...lol)

Numex Twilight - a small hot chili.

Early Habanero Paper Lanterns.

Landrace Peppers - sown from seed collected in fruits from the local Indian Delicatessence.

Vine on Shed

2007-06-21T07:39:00.001-07:00

Grape Vine on the shed will need some maintenance before next season .

Gardener's Delight

2007-06-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

3 Sister

2007-06-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Peppers and Toms

2007-06-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Habanero Paper Lantern

2007-06-16T10:53:00.000-07:00

The flowers on this hot pepper are lime yellow and small.

Salad Crops

2007-06-13T04:29:00.000-07:00

These salad crops were given to us by a chap a few plots down.

Just add a dizzle of olive oil and some balsamic vineger.

More photos

2007-06-13T04:21:00.001-07:00

Peas

These mid variety potatoes sure like our plot.

Chili Bed

2007-06-13T04:12:00.000-07:00

The chili bed is slowly establishing itself.

Tepin pepper.

This year we decided to follow the advice of Monty Don (for some reason) by planting a bulk crop of chilies and peppers outdoors. The main varieties here are Numex Twilight and Numex Big Jim, with the odd Tepin planted between.

Following an organic method that helps reduce damage by slugs and snails we have surrounded this bed with grass clippings. We will have to wait and see if it works.

Plot #19

2007-06-13T04:10:00.000-07:00

Every on the plot is now growing.

Tom Bed #2

2007-06-13T04:05:00.000-07:00

Our friend Mr G is busy tending to his plot.

The tomatoes have now taken to the soil and are rooting in nicely.

The variety is Gardeners Delight.

x3 sisters in June

2007-06-13T03:58:00.000-07:00

The beans at the bases of the canes are growing the best.

The whole bed has been covered with a top layer of coco-fibre to help reduce weeds and retain moisture.

Many of the courgettes we put into this bed died following those heavy rains at the end of May. The pumpkins and squashes placed out in early June seem to be doing much better. This pumpkin is already setting to bloom.

3 Jalapeno

2007-06-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

3 early Jalapeno

Painting Peppers

2007-06-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Painting peppers by hand is a good way of mimicking nature when growing chillies indoors.

Carefully, using an artists paintbrush, transfer the pollen from one flower to the next.

Repeat this process daily throughout the flowering season.

Black Peppers

2007-05-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Tomato - Beefsteak Big Boy

2007-05-30T02:22:00.000-07:00

The 1st Tomatoe

-----------------

FREE TIBET!

Glasshouses #2

2007-05-26T08:49:00.001-07:00

This later variety of chili is a Habanero Paper Lantern.

info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habanero_chile

Of the 10+ cultivar we've attempted to grow this season these peppers have shown the best viability, health, and vigor so far. The Scoville Scale (at 100,000–350,000) indicates these will be the hottest chili we'll be growing.

This season we are both growing courgettes (and a gifted marrow) indoors and outdoors as part of the x3 sisters. Many of the indoor plants are already starting to set to flower. The rest were planted outdoor today (thanks for the help Ben).

Permaculture is a methodology and practise involving the management of agrarian resources alongside places of habitation. It's all about bringing the garden into the home and the home into the garden. Permaculture is the single most effective way in which people can help aid the ecology of the planet alongside the ecology of the social being.

Glasshouses

2007-05-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

Luckily, we've both got glasshouses at home; allowing us to start tender plants off indoors, before planting out. Haylek's glasshouse sits 10c lower than mine, which is ideal for staging plants off slowly. These tomatoes outside under full shelter are already producing some nice trusses of fruit.

These chilies / peppers are indoors on the glasshouse floor.

Several plants make themselves naturally welcome in and around the home, so we are gradually become acquainted with a variety of plant species that we'd otherwise never have grown.

Plot19

2007-05-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

From back to front the plot design seems to be working quite well. The main roots bed is a bit empty, but we still have some radishes and some tender herbs to plant.

The potato beds are the main feature at the moment. So far they are looking healthy with no signs of virus, pest, or disease. The garlic forefront started producing spears ready to flower and so have been removed.

From front to back this side of the plot still needs some work. The pond is drying out ready for lining so makes a great staging-off shelter for plants. The patio doors were already on-site, but make an ideal glasshouse roof.

Tom Bed #1

2007-05-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Tomato bed has been active now for the past couple of weeks. This year we are experimenting by adding plants in stages to see how they react to outdoor temps. Conditions are now just about right for outdoor planting. But we still have lots of plants protected under glass, just in case.

x3 sisters #2

2007-05-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

The x3 Sisters Bed is now planted and starting to take shape.

Temps mean that we cannot plant-out the Squashes/Pumpkins yet, but the Sweetcorn and the Peas (and beans) are finding semblance.

Update

2007-05-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Have been meaning to update the blog for some time now, but have been really busy making ready and potting on. The recent rains followed by 20+ temps have made everything burst into growth. Acquiring a 2nd key for the gates (10quid deposit) has allowed us to travel up at different times; maintaining watering and managing weeds.

Cuckoo-spit is a sure sign that Summer isn't far off. The local Robin is busy catching grubs and insects for the nestbox across the way. The Starlings have flown in from some distant place, squabbling in the Damsons. While the Pigeons are full of pre-planted peas.

The recent dry spell has allowed us to shift the old carpets from the plot to the local council tip (thanks for directions Dad). The shed has been fitted with little plastic hooks (to hang things on), and the tadpoles are now being fed on a diet of tropical fish food (don't ask) beneath the grape-vine which is now starting to shoot. we suspect there is thieving of trowels, someplace along the line, so plot19 is on Amber alert. lol

Marigolds

2007-05-11T08:26:00.000-07:00

Some marigolds as companion plants

Garlic #4

2007-05-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

The garlic is growing well. The best bulbs will be split and sown next season.

Chili Breeding Part 2

2007-05-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

Chili Breeding Part 2

The structure, flowers, and fruit of plant #A and plant #B, as shown here, are very different indeed. Recording the differences between these parent plants now, is important and will be useful later on.

Plant #A - The 'Hungarian Black' chili comes from Kiskenfelegyhaza in Hungary. It can be sown early in February and produces large purple flowers by late April / early May. This plant has many side and lower branches.

Plant #A

Plant #B - The 'Jalapeno' comes from Zalapa in Mexico. It can be sown in Feb/March and produces medium sized white flowers by May. This plant has no lower side branches.

Plant #B

Chili Breeding Part 1

2007-05-11T07:37:00.000-07:00

Chili Breeding Part 1

This year we plan on attempting to breed our own varieties of chili / peppers.

After selecting x2 healthy plants from x2 individual cultivar (plant #A and plant #B), we place both plants in isolation, and monitor patterns of growth.

At the stage when plant #A and plant #B are both producing flowers, we start introducing the pollen from plant #A onto the flowers of plant #B.

Plant #A (Hungarian Black)

Plant #B (Jalapeno)

The seed produced by the fruits from plant #B will contain some of the genetics from plant #A and some from plant #B.

Next season the collected seed will be sown out and then in-bred amongst themselves to form a new stabilized variety called... 'Black Jalapeno!'

Early tatties #2-3

2007-05-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

The early potatoes are getting themselves ready for harvest. The ridges were mounded last weekend with some extra compost added to help retain some moisture.

Indoor Toms

2007-04-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

Indoor temp

First Beefsteak Tom

Peppers

2007-04-29T14:24:00.000-07:00

Papper Lantern (hot)

Hungarian Black Pepper (mild)

60 peppers (mild - hot)

early taties

2007-04-22T11:59:00.000-07:00

The early potatoes have been up for a while now :o)

x3 sisters

2007-04-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

The x3 sisters bed:

(corn, legumes, squashes)

To save some time and as a gamble we have decided to plant out 40% of the 3sisters early.

The remaining corn and the squashes are still being staged off ready for outdoors.

plot #15

2007-04-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

the pea bed / tripod

Sweetcorn #2

2007-04-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

The Sweetcorn is still healthy, and awaiting the other 2 Sisters.

Seedlings in April

2007-04-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

All seedlings are now growing-on nicely.

Fire #4

2007-04-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Fire #4 was today. It was a blaze... lol

Early tatties

2007-03-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Early Potatoes went into today.

Plot #14.1

2007-03-13T10:49:00.000-07:00

The same beds (3-6) from a different angle. The front beds require water loving species, whereas the back/beds are much more free-draining. The relatively narrow pathways utilise on space and prevent any treading on the beds (which is the second rule at allotment19, after the rule of aiming for 100% Organic practise).

Plot #14

2007-03-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

A few more turns and these beds should be ready for sowing. The profile of the site slopes downhill from the south (left) with the wettests areas along the slab path to the north (right). Next we need to sit down and plan exactly what is going to be growing in which of these beds (Haylek..?!?).

The First Frog

2007-03-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

The First Frog - caught hopping by one the beds the other morning - has been added to the pond. Where it hid under a pot of mint.

Under-cover

2007-03-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

Following the advice of an old-timer on site and prompted into action by my cousin, we decided to lay-out some plastic sheeting to suppress weed growth until we come to dig the land over.

Beef Steak #1

2007-03-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

This 'Beef Steak' variety of tomatoes (on right) has a lower germination rate than the 'Money Maker', but the 3-4 plants salvaged seem to be doing well. As yet they still haven't had any feed. The smaller seedlings are jalapeno.

Money Maker #3

2007-03-11T09:58:00.000-07:00

The 'Money Maker' tomatoes are now growing-on into 2nd stage pots, ready for planting outside in April/May.

Plot #13

2007-03-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

The radish row took a good beating in the rain, but the garlic still stand strong.

Flood damage

2007-03-05T09:26:00.000-08:00

The recent rain wasn't so kind to the lower beds :o(

Pond #3

2007-03-05T09:23:00.000-08:00

The recent rain was most kind to the new pond :o)

Pond#2

2007-03-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

The first pond plants are in the pond :o)

Robin Box #2

2007-02-25T02:52:00.000-08:00

Just popped down to the allotment to put up the new nest-box.

Neighbouring Plot

2007-02-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

The Neighbouring plot (no. 18) has finally been claimed. :o)

There is even evidence of clearance and bramble trimming already.

Hopefully our new neighbours are decent organic people... (?)

Wren Box #1

2007-02-24T05:18:00.000-08:00

Just decided to make a robin / wren box for plot19.

Robin and wrens are a gardeners' best friend.

Encouraging these species is ALWAYS important.

This box was made out in a Nordic style using 2nd hand timber / wood.

Money Maker #2

2007-02-24T05:16:00.000-08:00

The tomato seedlings / plants are growing on well.

Cold-Frame

2007-02-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

This Cold-frame has seen better days. We have some patio doors (behind shed) that could be used as a roof (?) but does anyone have any ideas?

I'm tempted to dig out the brambles and weeds, line it with plastic sheeting (already on-site), fill it with compost and plant it up with coriander/basil/dill.

Rhubarb #2

2007-02-19T08:47:00.000-08:00

The rhubarb planted 2 weeks ago has stated to break from the crowns/bulbs.

To stop me parking/walking on them I've decided to put up this little fence.

Think - Gulliver's Kingdom visits allotment19. We already have a pirate theme going on, all we need now is a crocodile for the canal, a tea room, and a plastic mermaid :o)

Canal Footings

2007-02-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

One area of alloment19 is boggy with an under-layer of red-clay. Rather than planting a normal pond, we've decided to created a canal style passing-point.

Owl Box #2

2007-02-18T06:51:00.000-08:00

Owl Box placed in Damson Tree.

plot#12

2007-02-18T06:47:00.000-08:00

Haylek hard at work.

Dog In Puddle

2007-02-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Owl Box

2007-02-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Spent the abo building an Owl Box from timber salvaged from the allotment skip.

Ecological Equation : Owls eat rats and mice, which in turn feed upon food crops!

Old Watering Can

2007-02-14T04:50:00.000-08:00

I'm not in the habit of looking in skips (perhaps I should be), but found some useful stuff in the skip that has been placed on site. The idiots had been dumping all-sorts of things in there - some timber (plan to make into an Owl Box) , soil?, grass and weeds?, runner beans? some people have no brain...

Anyhow managed to salvage this metal watering can since I knew it would make a nice planter for our rosemary :o)

Bed #5

2007-02-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

Bed #5 went in today beside an extra row of quarry tiles/slabs.

I'm, finding that working things small (in smaller beds) is helping over-come the daunting task ahead of making all good for planting. Weeding and clearing is also a lot easier when sub-divided down into managable spaces.

Radish #2

2007-02-14T04:30:00.000-08:00

Planting in radishes, the allotment is now looking like a food place.

Decided to plant out some radish seedlings today... who knows if it's too early?
If you don't try find out, your never gonna see ;o)

Jalapeno #1

2007-02-14T01:05:00.000-08:00

Thus far, the Jalapenos seem to be sowing best.

Money Maker #1

2007-02-10T02:49:00.000-08:00

These Money Maker toms are doing ok so far.

plot #11

2007-02-07T06:15:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how much space can be hidding under brambles.

These compost frames sit at the front of our plot.

Might plant the space with squashes in spring.

Council Compost

2007-02-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

Council Compost... perhaps collected effluence from local council meetings(?)

Looks great steaming in the winter's air, but for some reason people are using it by the truck load on their plots(!) It's full of bark (which taxes nitrates from soils) and contains many UIO's (including plastic bags and old gloves). Think we'll give it a miss.

plot #10

2007-02-01T04:52:00.000-08:00

The backpath is now taking form.

Rhubarb #1

2007-02-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at homebase we spotted these Rhubarb crowns.

The variety is 'Red Champagne'.

Today they went in at the front of plot19.

The rhubarb trench has added compost and manure.

2007-01-28T05:53:00.000-08:00

Strawberry planter made from old drain pipe.

The planter is filled with compost.

Fennel #1

2007-01-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

This fennel was lifted from the old herb garden.

The rosemary is from cuttings taken last summer.

Decking

2007-01-28T05:44:00.000-08:00

As a temporary fixture we've decided to lay some pallets as decking.

The ideal is to stand our potted plants and herbs on here until ready for planting in spring.

Some black plastic sheeting has been placed under the pallets to help suppress weeds.

The blue line on the left marks the edible hedge, beneath which are our raspberry canes.

Spot The Hen Pheasant?

2007-01-28T05:31:00.000-08:00

While walking up to the hut to ask the committee about planning for a poly-tunnel, a hen bird (female pheasant), dashed under some raspberry canes. Good job I had a digi camera in my pocket cause far few would believe me if I said we had pheasants on site... allotment19 sits in the suburbs... the nearest shoot is at least a mile away.

Pheasants are a great addition to the site since we are not allowed to keep fowl and pheasant eat lots of insects. The overgrown plots on site no doubt provide ideal shelter and habitat.

The hen sits central to the frame. Sorry about the poor quality.

This shot involved a quick stalk, after which the hen took flight down hill (think the flash might have scared it off).

Low Fencing

2007-01-27T08:28:00.000-08:00

We did a lot of prep. work today. The herbs have been lifted and potted up from the old herb bed. The measurements for our poly-tunnel have been taken. The next bed (#5) has been turned over ready for working. The pirate flag is up.

Last but not least the low fence from the old herb garden has been placed along the back path with more wood chippings added.

Jolly Roger

2007-01-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

The decking is a shivering with timbers (old pallets) and the main mast (tent pole) is set.

A-hoy, land a-head mee hearties. Let the JOLLY ROGER flag be a flying.

From now on, if anyone asks, we'll be "The Pirates of alloment19".

Seedlings Under Glass

2007-01-27T00:39:00.000-08:00

The first flush of seedlings now stay under glass all night ( 10c ).

I bought this bench inside from the garage to keep things tidy.

Garlic #1

2007-01-20T03:52:00.000-08:00

Despite the normal practise of planting garlic in late Autumn or early Spring, I've decided to plant out x2 rows of garlic now as an experiment.

By planting cloves with an already established root system, and mounding the earth about the stems, each plant should be just about hardy enough to take the expected frost next week.

The main threat to these tender shoots remains the wind at present.

Wood Chippings

2007-01-20T03:40:00.000-08:00

We have just started to make use of the wood chippings that the local council dumps at the main gates on site.

I'm wary about adding these chippings to any of our soil beds or compost heaps since who only knows which micro-bacterium might be present in them (cheers for the reminder NFG).

Wood chippings will however be extremely useful in helping to suppress some of the weeds on our back path.

Radish #1

2007-01-14T03:55:00.000-08:00

These radish seedlings have been thinned out.

Tomato Seedlings

2007-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

The first batch of tomato seedlings were transplanted into the first stage pots today.

The first varieties of tomato sown were Breefsteak (BFT) and Money Maker (MMT). These varieties have shown equal viability rates so far. The seedtrays have been re-watered and placed back into the kitchen to see what else hatches.

horse muck

2007-01-11T14:07:00.000-08:00

Some horse muck has been collected and taken to the site (thanks Dad).
This manure was from a paddock (thanks Chris and Sarah).
Some sacs have added to bed #2, #3, and #4 already.
The other sacs have been left to rot some more on site :o)

Edible Hedge

2007-01-01T03:22:00.000-08:00

As a natural barrier and focal feature of Allotment19 we plan to plant an Edible Hedge.

The hedge will extend from the existing rasberry canes along the full length of our southern boundary/boarder. Rather than planting a solid hedge (that would abstract light and ebb wind onto the next plot) we have decided to plant an undulating hedge as shown belowThis should provided a functional framework against which a variety of climbing canes, shubs, and annuals (squashes, beans and peas) can be grown. Likewise, once established the hedge should help screen envasive brambles from the vaccant plot behind. New neighbors may then also reap fruits on their side of the hedge.

Luckily we have lifted several mature currant canes/bushes, from the garden at home, that are already and waiting to be planted on site.

Kohl Rabi #1

2007-01-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Kohl Rabi seedlings are the first to hatch this season 28th Dec 2006. Closely followed by our Beefsteak tomatoe seeds 1st Jan 2007.

The seedlings above are sown directly into a tray of damp compost and perlite, covered with more medium and placed in the kitchen at 25c (approx.).

Once sprouted they are thinned out and placed on a light (not bright) windowsill at 18c (approx.).

Old Photos

2006-12-28T11:00:00.000-08:00

Here's some old photos (pre-bonfire day #1). First photo is of me, standing beside Kenny, our squash-buckling scarecrow... lol

At this stage we're still working out what is what.

hmm... so many foods to grow; chillies, tomatoes, kohl rabi, carrots, potatoes, squashes, peas... and so on. what will grow where, who yet knows,,, it's gonna be fun :o)

peace all

Happy New Year

keep shining

Seeds #1

2006-12-27T06:15:00.000-08:00

By fate one of the local nursury we visited today has a '60% OFF' closing down sale. The sale started today so bargins were to be had! It seemed like the ideal chance to stock up on some seeds. We might have to go back again tomorrow and buy more.

The Beefsteak Tomato and Black Hungarian Peppers (not shown) are our first seed to be sown indoors at 21-23c.

Bird Box #1

2006-12-17T06:37:00.000-08:00

Bird Boxes will be an important feature of allotment19. The first box has an alternative design featuring a rooftop alpine garden...lol

The box has been placed outside to weather-in before being fixed to our shed. (this helps remove the scent of humans).

Front Tree

2006-12-17T05:17:00.000-08:00

This tree sits at the front of our plot.

It marks the boarder between our plot and nextdoor.

Standing bold against a crisp Winter's sky it looks quite majestic. One of the committee members has informed me that it's a damson tree. It needs some surgery in places, but still stands for the most part healthy and strong. The only problem is that the wood pigeons also like it... lol

n.b. if you look closely you can just see the first-aid tent in the background... lol

(nice one NfG... hehe)

The Shed

2006-12-17T05:05:00.000-08:00

The Shed came with the plot. Since we have donned the guise of 'pirate allotmenteers' the shed acts as our galley. It's not very ship-shape at present, and I wasn't very keen at first. Suspicion was correct since it's already a home to a rat(s). The rat will keep (for now)!!!

Besides, it's a great place to store all our tools... the chap before us left some bits and bobs, so we are just about ready to set sail. All we need now is a jolly roger flag and a coat of paint :o)

Overgrown

2006-12-17T04:59:00.000-08:00

Just went down to the plot to blog some pics. There were strange men in overalls, with a large cart of manure, plotting about our plot. Hopefully someone has taken on the land next to us so that we don't need to worry about getting overgrown by brambles this Summer.

One side of the plot is yet to be uncovered and exposed.

We are making steady progress, but the plot is still very overgrown.

Strawberry #1

2006-12-16T03:59:00.000-08:00

Strawberry mother plant - 'Cambridge Favourite'.

Black Pepper Mint

2006-12-16T03:56:00.000-08:00

A young transplant of black pepper mint.

Makes a nice refreshing tea in summer.

Bedding Plan 2006-7

2006-12-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

Planning ahead is always a good idea.

This is a rough bedding plan for 2006-7.

As yet nothing is cast in stone, but the breakdown seems as follows:

#1 - Strawberry (Alpine, Cams. Favourite, and mystery variety)

#2 - Strawberry (Cambs.)

#3 - Garlic, Kohl Rabi, Carrots, Shallots

#4 -

#5 - Chillie/Tomatoe

#6 - Brassica

#7 - Potatoes /Peas/Squashes

#8 - Rhubarb

#9 - Cold Frame

#10 - Proposed Poly-tunnel site (?)

Comments and feedback are welcome :o)

Cheers J