So last autumn I found myself in posession of a half allotment plot in Leeds. It was covered in weeds (at least somthing grows there!!) and leftover veg from it's previous owner. So I roped in the muscle-power of my "I've never gardened in my life" husband and set off digging and weeding. Then nothing much else happened on-site for the winter as it was too wet and cold for digging really.
During the quiet non-digging winter, I decided to order myself some seeds and gather all the equipment I would need. After a little bit of searching, I stumbled upon a fab website selling unusual varieties of non-hybrid seeds: http://www.realseeds.co.uk/index.html It really is worth checking out as they give you full instructions on how to save your own seeds too. I promptly ordered a load of seeds, the ones from this site are noted in my "Growing in 2009" list with a *.
I then bought and assembled a shed, recieved donations from my Nan of my Grandad's old gardening tools and books, and went out to the local gardening centre to stock-up on pots, compost, a small plastic greenhouse and two big tubs of chicken manure (my Grandad used to swear by this!!). All ready to start planting in the spring!!!!
I also ordered some raspberry canes, which I planted out straight onto the allotment in the winter. They're pruned right back ready to fruit in the summer.
After what seemed like the longest winter ever, I finally started planting undercover in my mini greenhouse-type-thing. I thought it best to plant undercover and then transplant to the allotment once the seedlings are bigger. The soil in the allotment is quity stoney and weed-prone, so I thought it might give my seeds more of a fighting chance! So far I've planted:
- Peas
- Onions
- Marigolds
- Basil
- Thyme
- Garlic Chives
- Garlic (actually outside in a tub)
- Peppermint
- Parsley
Today I've been up to the site and planned out my beds, dug the manure in and tried to remove some of the stones and bricks that I keep finding everywhere. I also got a bit giddy when I saw that some of the things I've planted undercover, have started sprouting, yay!
So that's where I am at the moment. I plan to plant a few more things at the weekend, then I jet off to Vegas next Thursday, so I hope more things will have sprouted by the time I get back, a week later.
Hi Leanne, I really like your accounts of what you're doing. My grandad loved his allotment too, so did my dad, and I think of them often (and miss their advice and knowledge) while I'm gardening. This year I'm trying celery as my grandad used to bring it for our Christmas tea!
ReplyDeleteI've bought lots of my seeds from the real seed company this year, it will be good to hear how yours get on. So far the germination rates have been good and they are thriving on my half allotment plot (but then I am in the south west of London, where it's warmer and everything likely to be a bit earlier than in Leeds).