Comments on: Visitor from Down the Lane http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/ Vegetable Fruit & Herb Growing on my Allotment Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:05:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: John http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4761 John Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:46:00 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4761 Hi - at the same time as learning about my allotment I started to learn about databases. Having logged and crunched every single cost and weighing every crop in a slightly crazed and obsessive manner, I can say that in my first year 2007 I saved £170 on Tesco prices (organic where possible), and this year it will be over £200. Of course, we would not normally buy 30kg of runner beans or 25kg of courgettes in a year - so this figure includes "gifts" to friends, family and colleagues - and we often buy veggies on sale etc so nothing is exact, but my lottie definitely saves me money as well as being a great source of pleasure and relaxation. Hi – at the same time as learning about my allotment I started to learn about databases. Having logged and crunched every single cost and weighing every crop in a slightly crazed and obsessive manner, I can say that in my first year 2007 I saved £170 on Tesco prices (organic where possible), and this year it will be over £200.

Of course, we would not normally buy 30kg of runner beans or 25kg of courgettes in a year – so this figure includes “gifts” to friends, family and colleagues – and we often buy veggies on sale etc so nothing is exact, but my lottie definitely saves me money as well as being a great source of pleasure and relaxation.

]]> By: martin and emma http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4758 martin and emma Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:32:53 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4758 Hi Stumbled across this site as we are anxiously waiting for the keys to our allotment. we have been offerd 2 small patches next to each other at an allotment in stoke on trent. We have always wanted to grow some of our own food but garden space was never sufficient. I know these havent bene touched for well over 12 months so will be a real challenge, but its a family effort with 2 daughters aged 10 and 8 wanting to get stuck in. Will let you know how we go! Hi

Stumbled across this site as we are anxiously waiting for the keys to our allotment. we have been offerd 2 small patches next to each other at an allotment in stoke on trent. We have always wanted to grow some of our own food but garden space was never sufficient. I know these havent bene touched for well over 12 months so will be a real challenge, but its a family effort with 2 daughters aged 10 and 8 wanting to get stuck in. Will let you know how we go!

]]> By: lesley http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4757 lesley Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:57:47 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4757 sorry about the cat.They break our hearts but i would still never be without at least one. As for veg growing i look at it this way....... I pay for compost seed tools etc as i would pay for the tools for any hobby or the gym. So....... The veg are all free. BONUS! I actually save a lot more cos it means i go to the supermarket much less (as one who tends to buy more than i actually need once i go into one) So result all round i reckon. sorry about the cat.They break our hearts but i would still never be without at least one.
As for veg growing i look at it this way…….
I pay for compost seed tools etc as i would pay for the tools for any hobby or the gym.
So…….
The veg are all free. BONUS!
I actually save a lot more cos it means i go to the supermarket much less (as one who tends to buy more than i actually need once i go into one)
So result all round i reckon.

]]> By: melanie http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4742 melanie Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:44:18 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4742 Hi john, On reading your lastest blog i wanted to comment on the financial times calling you. I started my allotment last year and i certainly did not save money, starting off is expensive (even with second hand and borrowed everything) not just in tools but in time and effort. It is certainly not the easy answer to the food costs rising. We have been so used to cheap, easy and poor quailty food, and that is not the way it should be. Growing your own is not about money but about health and economic benifit, providing a good diet and world for your family. Its also really hard work, but i've got to say the best fun i have ever had!! Really sorry to hear about your poor claudipus Hi john,
On reading your lastest blog i wanted to comment on the financial times calling you.
I started my allotment last year and i certainly did not save money, starting off is expensive (even with second hand and borrowed everything) not just in tools but in time and effort.
It is certainly not the easy answer to the food costs rising. We have been so used to cheap, easy and poor quailty food, and that is not the way it should be.
Growing your own is not about money but about health and economic benifit, providing a good diet and world for your family.
Its also really hard work, but i’ve got to say the best fun i have ever had!!
Really sorry to hear about your poor claudipus

]]> By: Tracy http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4741 Tracy Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:37:07 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4741 Hi John. Sorry to hear about poor Claudipus. I had to have Toffee put to sleep last week, the one with the grey face in the avatar. He was only 5 and it's devastating. My thoughts are with you and Val. Hi John.
Sorry to hear about poor Claudipus. I had to have Toffee put to sleep last week, the one with the grey face in the avatar. He was only 5 and it’s devastating. My thoughts are with you and Val.

]]> By: virginia thomas http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4729 virginia thomas Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:27:07 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4729 I have 127 yards, half plot only, divided into 8 rows, I am a new plotter since February this year. 2 rows set for the potatoes growing, the amazing outcome is I have not bought any potatoes from shop since June and I expect this will last till end of this year(feeding for 4). Also carrots, onions, garlic, cabbages including most salad leaves and oriental leave saladand many more on trial vegetable, it certainly a bumper harvest so far. Many thanks for all the tips and advices from you and your friend (Down the Lane), I certainly benefit this high tech plotting informs. I have 127 yards, half plot only, divided into 8 rows, I am a new plotter since February this year. 2 rows set for the potatoes growing, the amazing outcome is I have not bought any potatoes from shop since June and I expect this will last till end of this year(feeding for 4). Also carrots, onions, garlic, cabbages including most salad leaves and oriental leave saladand many more on trial vegetable, it certainly a bumper harvest so far. Many thanks for all the tips and advices from you and your friend (Down the Lane), I certainly benefit this high tech plotting informs.

]]> By: Steve http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4728 Steve Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:11:06 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4728 John - it's always great to read your stories and your site is one of the main reasons why we started growing our own veg at home. I haven't totted up the costs of how much we might save as a family - but my wife (who does) has noted a sizeable drop in our weekly food bill over the last 18 months. But the price is almost inconsequential to the fact that our 2 little ones are growing up knowing what real veg looks like, trying stuff they would never have tried any other way (carrot and parsnip soup, beetroot, runner beans, etc) and generally helping out. And it doesn't cost a fortune to do this! John – it’s always great to read your stories and your site is one of the main reasons why we started growing our own veg at home.

I haven’t totted up the costs of how much we might save as a family – but my wife (who does) has noted a sizeable drop in our weekly food bill over the last 18 months.

But the price is almost inconsequential to the fact that our 2 little ones are growing up knowing what real veg looks like, trying stuff they would never have tried any other way (carrot and parsnip soup, beetroot, runner beans, etc) and generally helping out.

And it doesn’t cost a fortune to do this!

]]> By: Richard http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4727 Richard Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:31:40 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4727 At first glance I thought you'd slipped a picture of Mel Gibson and George Clooney in there John. Just to let anyone reading this know that over the past few years John has helped me immensely with techy problems and a few veggie one's at that. Thanks John and Val for a really pleasant and rewarding few days and may the Website, like your vegetables, grow and grow. You deserve it. Richard At first glance I thought you’d slipped a picture of Mel Gibson and George Clooney in there John.

Just to let anyone reading this know that over the past few years John has helped me immensely with techy problems and a few veggie one’s at that.

Thanks John and Val for a really pleasant and rewarding few days and may the Website, like your vegetables, grow and grow. You deserve it.

Richard

]]> By: Roz http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4726 Roz Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:39:09 +0000 http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden-diary/303/visitor-from-down-the-lane/#comment-4726 Hi John, your bit about resisting the urge when the FT called you creased me! I just really wanted to say that my thoughts will be with you in the next few days. After writing to sympathise when Claudipus became ill, at the beginning of June one of my cats was diagnosed with kidney failure. I lost him on 16th August, he died at home. So I know how you feel, its a horrible time, we cat lovers just can't help punishing ourselves over and over again can we! You know the old saying John, dogs have owners,cats have staff! I am definately going to try the butter recipe, and hope you manage to get the video sorted. This website is great, thanks for all you do. Roz. Hi John, your bit about resisting the urge when the FT called you creased me!

I just really wanted to say that my thoughts will be with you in the next few days. After writing to sympathise when Claudipus became ill, at the beginning of June one of my cats was diagnosed with kidney failure. I lost him on 16th August, he died at home. So I know how you feel, its a horrible time, we cat lovers just can’t help punishing ourselves over and over again can we! You know the old saying John, dogs have owners,cats have staff!

I am definately going to try the butter recipe, and hope you manage to get the video sorted.

This website is great, thanks for all you do.

Roz.

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