Wednesday 6 February 2008

67 hours to go... Roughly.

Ok, so it's Wednesday. That's exactly half way to the next allotment time (didn't they used to be called 'weekends'?) and I'm already up to my virtual eyes in ideas for those two days. The weather forecast is looking good, well good for February anyway, so there's no reason why I shouldn't be reporting back on Monday on lots of jobs jobbed. All being well my parents should be coming to visit the plot on Saturday, primarily so we can show it off but also because my Dad is more likely to be able to walk down the fruit tunnel and tell us what’s a dormant fruit bush and what’s a nasty weed than I am and such info would be massively useful before everything starts growing.

I'm also getting a little concerned that my plan of ten identical 4' by 13' beds may cause problems for things like potatoes as that may not leave enough room for two rows in each, esp. with all the earthing up they need. Has anyone worked out an 'ideal' size for a potato bed?

I'm also coming round to the idea that I need to take a day off work in the next few weeks to either burn through some of the digging or do all those little jobs I keep putting off back at home because I want to be on the allotment. Taking a day off to garden? I suddenly feel like a grown up! ;)

Before I go, a quick question for anyone reading this, I'm assuming other people get the black plastic they cover their plots in from garden centres. Am I right and if not where's the best place to look?

Ta!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

the tarp you can get from garden centres, you can also get it from builders merchants. alternatively you can use bin bags.

Anonymous said...

You're not the only one excited to see the end of the week. This weekend is said to be good weather! I got tons of stuff to do, as I bet you do too. Will expect much pics on this website on Monday :) I too have contemplated taking a day off to work my garden, but need to time it just right and the weather has to be perfect.

Paul and Melanie said...

Thanks Anonymous, the bin bags idea is worth thinking about too, wonder which would work out more cost effective for a large area...

@ Sinta, Thats the trouble, the weather is bound to rain if you plan a day off. I guess in that case there are loads of jobs at home I could do instead, freeing up time at the weekend for the plot... And yep,more pics on Monday! :)

Lumpyjumper said...

Really enjoying reading your blog, I'm a novice gardener and waiting for my allotment so having to make do with raised beds in the back garden at the moment.

Some of the really cheap and cheerful shops similar to everything a pound! Do very cheap tarp or even bin bags.

Looking forward to seeing the efforts of your weekend, so envious can't wait for my plot to become available.

Anonymous said...

Ha! Came here to suggest bin bags, already been done i see...so i'll go again! You could buy a roll of that black stuff you use to put under gravel to stop the weeds coming through, that could be useful as bin bags are maybe more likely to blow away?

25 hours to go...

glosterwomble said...

We bought our black plastic from ebay, it came as a huge bale of plastic which we cut into a dozen bed shaped pieces.
Good sunny weekend ahead of us, have fun!

Anonymous said...

Hi
4' wide should be just enough for two rows of early potatoes. Maincrop would ideally like perhaps a tad more room, but they should be OK too.

VP said...

I got my black plastic covering my muck heap from next door's skip when they had their conservatory done. You may find the same round by you?

I also use old potting compost bags cut down the sides and flattened out...