Allotment Growing

Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Gardening

Allotment Vegetable Growing Planning for 2005 Part 2

Plot 29 shortly after taken over.

The big problem, that only became apparent shortly after I took the plot over, was the horsetail or marestail that infested the area in red on the plan.

Because of this, I only actually utilised Deep Bed 3 of the deep beds because I had already planted salad crops when I discovered how much mares tail there was.

Bed 1 had 4 teepees of runner beans plus dwarf french beans, Bed 2 had potatoes and Bed 3 sweet corn, squash and pumpkins.

At the end of the year, DB3 was cleared and sprayed with amicide. I seem to have eradicated the mares tail successfully.

Where the previous occupant had his sheds and greenhouse (it was well furnished) the soil was very compacted with layers of sand and gravel on top. I double dug it incorporating masses of turkey manure and some horse manure (a gift from the neighbouring plotholder). On top went the contents of used annual plant pots and grow bags. This will be dug in in the spring.

A pile of topsoil went from the compost bins onto this area as well.

DB3 will be moved into alignment with DB4 to allow the path to seperate me from the adjoining plot, which still has mares tail. Paths will be wood chippings and the new large bed will be rotovated in the spring.

Bed 1 has autumn planted onions and garlic at the southern end with field beans as a green manure at the northern end.

Bed 2 is planted with field beans as a green manure.

Bed 3 was rough dug and given a good liming.

Bed 4 is left rough dug and unlimed.

Plot 29 for 2005

Concrete path to north, other paths in light brown from wood chippings.

Planning the Plot (for 2005)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5