16 Apr - 2013 - Potatoes time!

Wow!  Twice in one month!  The rumour-mill will be turning!

We had gale force winds this week, so I was a bit worried about what I would find - my little seedlings only in last week, and the fence that I put up as well.... all I can say is, it turns out those were the least of my worries!

I started my day off by having to go to St Johns Ambulance course for work, so I put all my allotment gear in the car, including the last of the sprouts seedlings (yes, I did make my colleagues have a look at them!)

I was confused about the missing cloche bottle, which is clearly shown as missing in this pic - but how is it not rolling around under the netting somewhere!!!!!









Then it was time for the triffods (I mean potatoes!) that have been waiting impatiently at home to be planted!

Last year, the potatoes were in the larger square bed, but now rotation says they move up the plot and are in the smaller rectangle beds.



This doesn't mean that we're having less potatoes, it means that I need to come up with a Plan B!  Tyres it is then.

I actually got this idea off the owner of the tyre shop I used to go to.  I kept taking his "rubbish" tyres for my old allotment to edge the fruit bushes and he told me that he gets a lot of people taking them for potatoes.  It saves him money for getting rid of the tyres, and then he gave me a discount when it was my turn to get new tyres on my car. 

I've gone off on a tangent....sorry.

I've left the good spinach & leeks in (for now). 

Anyway, you can see how it starts.....

A year in the life....

2 Aug 2012 - main plot

2 Aug 2012 - new plot

8 July 2012 - new plot

8 July 2012 - main plot

13 May 12 - whole plot

13 May 12 - original plot

29 April, new section

25 Mar 12

29 Feb 12

1 Feb 12

27 Dec 11

Plot layout

bracken, fruit trees, brambles, blackberries
compost bin                                 broadbeans
raspberry canes          fruit tree, strawberries
                                      


5 - strawberries
4 - garlic




The idea is to have a crop rotation going, which will be a bit hit and miss the first year, mostly because unless we dig something up, we won't know what was there before!  Fingers crossed'n'all that jazz.  The basic system will be that there won't be roots following roots or leaves following leaves, and throw in the odd bed of experimental veges every now and then!

I do know that where the broadbeans and new strawberries are was potatoes, and bed 4 had cabbages and garlic in.  I've put the garlic in the other end of the bed, mostly because it was the only uncovered bed at the time and call me cheap, but I didn't want to waste the pods!

We've got some asparagus to move from the old plot, so will have to get our butts into gear and get one bed ready for it this weekend!  As that won't be moving, might make it a permanent bed with half asparagus and the other half fruit bushes, like gooseberry, blueberry and currants.  DEFINITELY have to squeeze in my beloved boysenberry plants somewhere - maybe just to join the berries down the back to runamuck.

Not sure what to do with the tyres down the side of the plot, they're full of "stuff" so I think some inspiration will be needed there (and a bit of hard slog).

Favourite veges that will making an appearance are: Beetroot - golden & purple, Borlotti Beans, Brussel Sprouts - red and green, Cauliflower - sunset & purple, Chinese Leaves, Coriander, Curly Kale, Dwarf Beans, Garlic, Leeks, Mangetout, Parsnip, Patty Pan, Rainbow Spinach, Salsify, Savoy Cabbage, Silverbeet and Turnip.

Experimental veges that we've either wanted to try, or have tried and so far failed at, are: Courgette, Cucumber, Fennel, Marrow, Pumpkins - Turks Turban and Whangaparaoa Crown, Sweetcorn and some exotic veges that I get as presents!  Other ideas are very welcome!