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Hello from Fareham in Hampshire. 1st Year allotmenteer.

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  • Hello from Fareham in Hampshire. 1st Year allotmenteer.

    Hi all,

    I was accepted as an allotment holder in October this year (2014) and am a total newbie to the world of growing things. I've never even grown a pot plant lol (Strictly speaking that's not true. I DID 'grow' cress in a ball of cotton wool when I was at Junior School - about 30 years ago now - does that count?)

    This is going to be quite challenging as I have a huge phobia of spiders, and I don't much like creepy crawlies either. I've already spoken to my next door neighbours and advised them if they hear the odd scream or two to just ignore it. So a few odd looks later and I've cleared the allotment and can now see the ground. Four beds already dug over and the rest marked out ready to dig over.

    Reading through some of various allotment forums that are about and settled on this one as it seems to be the best one, and a huge bonus it's based in the UK :-)
    Already have several pages form posts bookmarked for further study and to put into practice.

    So the stage I'm at at the moment really is right at the beginning (A very good place to start). Allotment already planned and marked out. Wonky shed made not as wonky but could do with replacing soon. Greenhouse located and is in bits waiting for the stable base to be laid (which is nearly done). Compost bins .... changing my mind over these almost daily. The more I read the more I change my mind. I've been reading the thread on composting avidly and have loads more questions than I did before I started reading. HA!

    Anyhooo ... enough waffling on. I'm Jay, live in Fareham in Hampshire and am really looking forward to becoming an allotmenteer, enjoying the outdoors and growing my own 'stuff' weather it's edible or not we shall see lol.

  • #2
    Hello Jay and welcome to the Grapevine. Wise choice joining us, because we are the friendliest, most knowledgable and helpful gardening forum there is. We also have a laugh and can be a bit nutty.
    So pull up a chair and make yourself at home. Would you like a mincepie?

    Comment


    • #3
      Hello Jay & welcome to the Jungle, you'll soon suss out the nutters..............
      sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
      Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
      -----------------------------------------------------------
      KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

      Comment


      • #4
        Hello Jay - welcome to the all knowing, ever helpful and usually comical Grape House.
        You sound like you are going to enjoy it here.
        We are a varied lot on here from abject numpties like me to the all knowing like some of the others who I won;t embarrass by naming.
        People on here have everything from a window box to a small holding and we all enjoy the ability of asking a question and getting sensible answers.
        Enjot!
        Last edited by Lumpy; 21-12-2014, 11:17 PM.
        I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Thomas A. Edison

        Outreach co-ordinator for the Gnome, Pixie and Fairy groups within the Nutters Club.

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        • #5
          Hi, welcome to the forum!

          What sort of stuff are you looking to grow? Got any pictures of your plot?
          My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
          Chrysanthemum notes page here.

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi and here's my plot :-)

            Hi Veggiechcken, Bigmallly (3 L's - greedy ;-) ), Lumpy and Martin H.

            Veggiechicken .... I LOVE mince pies so thank you very much ...Nom nom nom ... I'll try *chew chew* not to *chew, swallow* drop any *take another bite* crumbs on the *chew chew* floor.

            Bigmallly - I've laughed quite a bit while reading some of the posts and I know I'm going to enjoy reading, learning from and maybe contributing to many more.

            Lumpy - I look forward to reaching the dizzying heights of being an abject numpty with my sights set on becoming a Guru at some point in the next millennium ;-)

            Martin H - I have quite a lot planned for my first year (whether I achieve it ... we shall see. Doesn't hurt to aim high tho). I have nine beds in total, four of which I've already dug, weeded and turned over. The first bed I even trenched ready for the French Beans.
            My intended crops are: French Beans, Broad Beans, Peas, Cauliflower, Kale, Sprouts, Broccoli, Leeks, Onions, Garlic (which are already in - go me), Cabbage, Pumpkin and Cucamelons. I can't remember the varieties at the moment, their in the file downstairs.
            Along with the above I have also planted four fruit trees - Two apple tries (different varieties to help with cross pollination) and two cherry trees. Again no idea of variety without looking in the file.

            To go with all the above I will be attempting to 'companion plant' as I would like to be chemical free and do things naturally. Plus I like the idea of having flowers and herbs growing alongside everything else to encourage bees and butterflies. Not the white butterflies tho (hopefully) lol.

            I have been taking quite a few pictures, but at the moment I have no idea how to post a pic. The FAQ seems to imply my images should be online somewhere and I just post a link to that image. I don't have any images online, just on my pc and camera. Iwas hoping to start up a blog ... hahahaha ... that so won't happen as I have no idea about that either.

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi and here's my plot :-)

              I have been taking quite a few pictures, hopefully these will work.
              Images show:
              1 - Just cleared the first patch
              2 - The first four beds dug. Closest bed has been trenched.
              3 - Showing the area for another few beds and the greenhouse yet to be cleared
              4 - Area above has been cleared.
              5 - showing the area below the greenhouse area now with four fruit trees planted. This will also have flowers for all seasons in eventually.

              Hope the images work ok, please let me know if you can or can't see them.
              Attached Files
              Last edited by Nicos; 22-12-2014, 10:08 AM. Reason: taken out double posted section ;)

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi and welcome to the vine

                Well done on your lottie, its looking good. As for becoming a grape you sound like you are already comfy and at home. Enjoy

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi there and welcome to the vine.
                  Like the pics looks as if you've done plenty on your plot by the looks of your pics.
                  sigpic

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                  • #10
                    Welcome to the vine , I am sure you will enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour. Your efforts so far look very good. You will soon work out I am one of the village idiots....

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                    • #11
                      It's looking really good, you've obviously been working hard at it. The plot's in better shape just now than mine is, in fact. Keep going through the winter when weather allows, you'll have no trouble being ready for spring when it starts to get really interesting.

                      Is the garlic coming through yet?
                      My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
                      Chrysanthemum notes page here.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Got plot envy now, not difficult as I am a back garden gardener lol
                        You will learn loads on here Damian, I know I have. This will be my third season growing and I love it. You will too.
                        One tip, only grow what you will eat
                        Nannys make memories

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                        • #13
                          A very warm welcome to the forum, dear Damian.
                          Pain is still pain, suffering is still suffering, regardless of whoever, or whatever, is the victim.
                          Everything is worthy of kindness.

                          http://thegentlebrethren.wordpress.com

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                          • #14
                            DJ your plot looks brilliant so far. I also have plot envy as my veggies (and I use that term with caution) try and survive in an assortment of itsy bitsy raised beds, boxes, old tyres etc.
                            I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work. Thomas A. Edison

                            Outreach co-ordinator for the Gnome, Pixie and Fairy groups within the Nutters Club.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Hello and welcome to the vine Jay, you've picked the best garden forum there is and by the sounds of your posts you're going to fit in here just right
                              Location....East Midlands.

                              Comment

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