Hobbit Allotment!

[horticultural_hobbit]

That is the one. 3mx2m from feelgooduk.




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[snohare]

Seeing a friend's polytunnel next to the patch of ground where he lets me grow tatties, it has become very obvious to me just how much polytunnels depend on watering; his has butts outside but no guttering, and as it's a pain to run the hose all the way from the house, in consequence it is dry as dust inside, with hardly anything growing. What a waste ! (And here was me hoping to overwinter my sprouting sweet potato Murgatroyd in there... )
Digging that much trench will fairly make you fit, Hoblette. Fit for what, is the question...! You will have shoulders like an Olympic swimmer's. If I was you, I'd borrow an azada, a spade would be awfully hard work if it is at all stoney.
Were I building a polytunnel, assuming it is going to last a good few years, I would be thinking of a) how to protect it from damage from flooding (given the history of your plot), and b) how to protect it from overheating, and c) damage from stormtossed branches. So for example, align it so that the plants at the sunny end will shade the ones next to them (I'm not explaining this well, am I), put a bund around it to divert floodwater (easier if it is aligned up and downhill, then you just put a wee "v" outside the door, with some way of allowing excess water to drain from the bottom end if needs be, and if possible don't stick it (pardon the pun ) right next to any trees. Trees die a twig or a branch at a time, even while growing, so there will always be debris coming off them...
Lots to think about.

[veggiechicken]

If you put a link up to the poly that you're buying, there may be someone on here who has one and could tell you how difficult it is. I wouldn't tackle it on my own - there's a limit to how many poles you can hold upright with one pair of hands!!

[horticultural_hobbit]

I'm going to try and raise it myself, sno. Pops might get roped in, should I feel a tantrum coming. There might be other allotmenteers involved possibly.

I should think about the irrigation, yes. As there is no water in the winter.

Still thinking about the beds. The plot is clay. Which generally lovely, and it's a higher point on comparison to the rest of the plot. Do I want to
Keep them low, or shall I raise them a bit with scrap would.




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[snohare]

Are you going to run pipes inside, so that your water butts can irrigate inside ?
Easier said than done I know, but I daresay you could have a cutout panel in the door - rather like a cat flap...
I'd be seriously amazed if you could raise a polytunnel by yourself. Even Robinson Crusoe never did that, and he built forts !
Methinks you should check with the manufacturer to see if it can be done single handed - for example, using hand winches or ratchet straps to put tension on - or maybe have an Amish-style polytunnel-raising potluck lunch with your fellow allotmenteers ? You should certainly get plenty of first-hand experience in that quarter, anyway.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Hobbit Allotment!

Thank you, RL.

Horse shoe shape, perhaps. Will dig it over once the thing is raised. That's gonna be interesting; as I might have to do that by myself. Parents likely to pull faces.


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[rustylady]

Beds HH, much easier to keep evenly watered.

[horticultural_hobbit]

The next grand scheme.

But what to with the poly floor, Beds, buckets?


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[horticultural_hobbit]

Is getting there. Window shopping polytunnels. Found the one I want, now thinking about how I would raise it? when to do so; would it be straight forward, and do I really need an anchoring kit?

Do I also want it length ways or width ways...diggin the trench for it will need thinking about too. So that means clearing the appropriate patch and not just covering it in cardboard.

All this thinking is making my brain ache.

[snohare]

The plot thickens... well, lengthens... changes shape...well anyway, it looks like a lot of work and inspires the usual "Glad it's not me/wish I had the excitement" feelings !

[horticultural_hobbit]

Project Othello is underway! Tis blogged *_^

[horticultural_hobbit]

No idea how big it is; tis the other half of my current plot. Will measure it at some point! At least half of it might poly tunnelled.

[snohare]

OOh, looks intriguing Hoblette ! How big an area is it ? Are you planning on leaving any grasses for bug/beasties/butterflies ?
I'll not ask what are you planning on planting. I know that this will change repeatedly over the coming months !

Who the flip would want to pinch garlic.

Whoever it is, they have visited my allotment ! (And are not that keen on shallots.)

[horticultural_hobbit]

I haven't told you about project Othello yet have I?

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http://horticulturalhobbit.files.wor...-042031-pm.jpg

Vague plan at the moment, is to chop down soon, and then cover with card board and tarp for the autumn winter.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Good afternoon everyone. I'm really sorry that I haven't updated this thread in a while. I can only invite you to have a glance at the blog for a more detailed analysis.

I'm not very good at making the most of what grows; and very often I get told off if what I wish to make doesn't translate very well to the Bollywood Kitchen. Yesterday, I lifted a river cottage courgette chutney recipe. Is really quite Bollywood; so that's not bad. Mother currently having some with her lunch and would rather it was spicier. Can't please some folk!

Have just removed a dozen purple rainbow chillies. So means, possible experimentation with chilli jam

I have request to the mods, can this thread be stickied or not? If not, no problem