By: carla vella

carla vella — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:07:59 +0000

re: “nearly half of the available space is taken up with paths, seating areas, pergolas etc. The old timers seemed to manage without all that. They just filled the plot with crops!” That’s very good but I work very long hours and find it very hard to put in as many hours as the others on site. Also, I inherited a dumping ground, covered in rubble, bricks, slabs, carpets, cans, concrete heaps, etc… and giant weeds & mare’s tail. All of which took me a whole year to clean up. And now it’s the mare’s tail again. So having “narrow” paths made of chippings, just enough to walk through, helps me not to feel like giving up on my plot. The tidy look encourages me to keep going and, I guess, it compartmentalises what I need to do next! and yes, much space is taken by a small shed and small greenhouse + a pleasant seating area in between. After all, I got my plot to keep fit and enjoy tranquility and not to compete with other allotmenteers about how much to squeeze into the plot. Also, I am contributing to keeping that part of the district clean and free from rat infestation… if it were not for plotkeepers, what would the council do to protect residents from what would inevitably become a dumping ground, a huge dumping ground? I am proud of my little paths and social space at my allotment. Regards, Carla

By: wellrooted

wellrooted — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:08:19 +0000

Pigeons causing headaches for me too this year. They even pulled up some Garlic this week!

By: gee

gee — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:31:06 +0000

I use all the old CD/DVD tied to some string to scare the pigeons.

Comments on: Raised Beds, Planting Shallots

By: carla vella

By: wellrooted

By: gee