Plotting
The wind has died down a bit now after a stormy couple of weeks, so we took the opportunity to start to define the planting beds on our allotment plot. It actually took a couple of goes, because on our first visit in the morning we realised that we couldn’t remember which of the three newly-created plots was ours. Rather than put a lot of work into measuring out beds, only to find that we were measuring the wrong one, we went back home to call the person who looks after the site, and ask him which one we were supposed to be on. It was lucky we did, because our guess was wrong.
So, the afternoon saw us wheeling the wheelbarrow out again in take two, which was much more productive. We were amazed by the size of the plot when we measured it — it’s about 8.5 m by 14.5 m, so we can fit many more beds in than I’d originally calculated on paper. We’re working on the basis of a set of four beds, with paths in between, that we can rotate from year to year so that we can avoid the build up of pathogens in the soil, and improve the beds successively. One will hold members of the Solanacae family (potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, peppers), the second legumes (beans and peas), the third brassicas (broccoli, kale, cabbage etc), and the final plot for onions and roots. Anything that doesn’t fit into those categories will slot into one of the other plots, depending on the kind of soil conditions it likes. We’ll probably also have a few permanent beds eventually for perennial crops like soft fruit bushes, rhubarb, asparagus and so on. We’ve managed to fit 8 beds in quite easily, so we’ll have two beds of each kind of rotation bed.
It felt really good to be getting on with it, even if we won’t be able to plant anything out for at least a month. The soil is good (some clay, but overall a good loam), and when we tested the soil pH today, it was pH7, so it’s quite versatile, and should be suitable for most crops without much intervention. Parts of the plot are very soggy at the moment because of all the rain we’ve had lately, but hopefully it will dry out a bit as spring arrives.
If we manage to grow a reasonable crop on even half of the area, we’ll have an excellent supply of fruit and vegetables from late spring right through to early winter, which will be good. We’ve ordered a load of seeds from the Real Seed Catalogue, which has a lovely range of unusual and heritage varieties, none of which are hybrids, so you can save your own seed for next year. I’m impressed that they strongly encourage you to do so, because it’s somewhat against their own commercial interests! However, they’ve got such an extensive range that I’m sure we’ll be back for new varieties next year, even if we save seed and regrow it next year. As a home grower, you’re not going to be able to compete with large-scale agricultural suppliers on price for most basic food crops, so we’ve chosen crops that are either infinitely better when eaten very fresh (like peas, beans and lettuces), unusual and therefore unavailable in the shops, or very expensive to buy (mangetout, rocket).
We’re novices at this, so we’re bound to have many failures as well as some successes, but it’s going to be very interesting — and, I suspect, rather addictive — learning how to do this horticulture thing.
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This was my novice year too. I did very well in the summer with tomatoes, squashes, aubergines, chard etc. but the brassicas and carrots this winter have been done in by a) my neglect b) the terrible cold here in California c) a murderous pocket gopher. I'm going to have to line the beds before I plant anything next year...
by Pica @ 21/01/2007 5:45 am • Permalink •
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Welcome to the world of feeding yourself. I also think it's my best form of exercise, which either says something about my lifestyle or style of gardening. Thanks for the link to the seed supplier, they look great. I can recommend Marshalls for fruit - good quality, range and service. Just one thing that I've found over the years - be flexible! Some things do really well in my garden, some don't, for no apparent reason so I make the most of what works. Also the rotation system is great but I find it difficult to balance the planting each year so there is some creeping between beds!
by Julian @ 21/01/2007 1:47 pm • Permalink •
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Good luck & good eating.
Speaking as a "one notch above novice" (I've grown stuff for the last 3 years) it's not that difficult to have encouraging outputs even in a small garden in London. I've had success with rocket, various salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, courgettes, sprouting broccoli, gourds and all the major herbs.
It's so satisfying to be able to knock up a salad from things picked a few minutes earlier.
by Bernard Knight @ 21/01/2007 1:53 pm • Permalink •
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In the fallow beds, you could also do them some extra good by planting green manures, which you let grow a bit, then dig back into the earth.
Or, in some cases, you can harvest the sprouts first...
by Lyle @ 22/01/2007 10:00 am • Permalink •
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I wish you luck! Our garden is much smaller and I hope to plant some vegetables/herbs next year, but my husband and I are constantly at battle re: garden planning because he prefers to plant things that are nice to look at, while I prefer planting things that are nice to eat.
Do you have to take any precautions re: animals eating your garden produce, or do you not have to worry about that sort of thing in your area?
by Debbie Ridpath Ohi @ 22/01/2007 5:51 pm • Permalink •
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Pica: I shouldn't laugh because it must have been maddening, but I can't help but imagine the carrots disappearing back into the soil as those pesky gophers pull them in from below! Slugs - I suspect - will be our nemeses. An aside: I assume that's the correct plural of nemesis, but you don't often see it written. Why do people only have singular nemeses?
Julian: Yes, I think it's going to be good exercise. Actually, I think that the kind of exercise you get as a side-effect of doing something interesting and useful is the best kind (cycle commuting, hiking to get somewhere interesting, conservation work etc.). We're keeping a diary of what we plant when and (eventually) how it works out, so hopefully we'll be able to make more sensible choices next year depending on what works.
Bernard Knight: I can't wait to get to that point. Lack of patience might be the biggest problem
Lyle: We've been reading up on those, but it was a bit too late to plant any over this winter. If we have any space left over, we'll grow some this spring, which will suppress the weeds if nothing else!
Debbie Ridpath Ohi: See my comment to Pica about slugs. It's quite an urban area, and I didn't see any sign of rabbits. We might have to net certain things in to discourage pigeons, and I'm told that mice will steal your newly planted peas if you give them half a chance! I think we'll start some crops off indoors, by which time they should be a bit more capable of looking after themselves as far as pests and predators go.
by bsag @ 22/01/2007 6:33 pm • Permalink •
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Is there a book you can recommend on growing your own vegetables - for beginners?
Very excited as I bought a house with a garden and after renovations, finally cleared everything out last Nov. to begin some garden experiments this Spring.
Now is the time to begin plans.
by Ger @ 26/01/2007 12:11 pm • Permalink •
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