Hobbit Allotment!

[horticultural_hobbit]

That does sound lovely! As long as it don't turn into a shindig as that apparently is a public liability thing possibly, in the spring. Will keep that in mind. Perhaps when I've filled the beds with dirt.

Well, middle sister voiced an opinion. I'm ignoring it, as gardening is her worst nightmare. If I grow it, she has no qualms about cooking it. That is the trade off.

Lotment secretary keeps telling me to move, he'd get a derelict plot tidied and only charge me half rent.

A few other plot folk have told me I'm wasting my time and energy with it being heavy clay, unloved for so long and liable to get very wet.

[snohare]

As long as it don't turn into a shindig

Right ! That's settled ! Kneedig it is...or at least an ankledig...we must all bring some Kieselguhr. I shall start arranging my dog sitter and/or transport.

On the one hand, it's kind of the allotment secretary to make that offer. But on the other hand, personally, I'd rather learn to do better on a bad bit of ground, than be a quitter with an easier bit of ground.
There's a time and a place to give up - everyone has to pick their battles carefully, the world has no end to them if we are wrong or simply unlucky - but soon, while making progress, is not it !
IMHO

[horticultural_hobbit]

Aunty two_sheds is onto something. Would be rather fun!

Not quite sure what all the grape aunts and uncles would make of it exactly.

In all seriousness; something to be considered I'm sure there will be jobs to be done

[snohare]

there will be jobs to be done

Get filling builder's bags with leaves Hobbit - digging them in will improve your clay's humus levels no end, and is exactly the sort of job where many hands make light work.
I'm sure Auntie TwoSheds will have all sorts of ideas for cunning wheezes, her plant-tending skills are far in advance of mine...she can be the skill and finesse, I will be the brute force and ignorance ! (Veggiechicken can be court jester. In fact, if a crowd turns up I foresee a miniature real-life version of that thread where we all became characters out of Robin Hood etc...)

[veggiechicken]

Just what are you dragging me into now, Sno? I hope you're not suggesting that Hobbit's allotment is as overgrown and overrun with uncontrollable characters as my little wood
If I were you, HH, I'd stick with your plot and do the best you can with it. Its early days yet, you haven't had it very long and, although the powers that be may think they're being helpful by offering you a move to a different plot, you've put a lot of hard work into the one that you have, so why turn your back on it.
Cover up what you can't cope with and work on the rest, bit by bit, until you're happy with it.
Remember the force of the Vine is behind you (and Snohare's furry paws)

[horticultural_hobbit]

Already done, uncle Sno. Four builders bags full. 12 raised beds full too. And lots of onions, shallots, Garlic, and tulips sunk.

Oh, I plan to keep going as I am, VC. Just need to see the bright side.

I'm sure there will be list of things to achieve!

[snohare]

List all your aims. (Not just the prosaic "one dozen winter cabbage" ones, but also pie-in-the-sky, long-term ones.)
List how you intend to achieve those aims. (Or what you need to know,)
List what resources - human, skill and materiel - you have available for use, and what you lack.
Let us know the above...and that is the basis of a GrapeForce Vining Squad raid...

[horticultural_hobbit]

Little bit of happiness. HT roses came yesterday. So Ma did her thing and ticked me off for buying more goodies. I didn't say anything in return. Reckon they would lovely and keep harbingers of doom well away. And yes, they probably will grow twice my height. Most things do.

[snohare]

yes, they probably will grow twice my height. Most things do

Crikey Hobbit, slugs as well ?? !!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Yes, uncle Sno, even the super slimy slugs and snails.

[snohare]

Sounds like the makings of a good sci-fi movie...the Shire has been invaded by huge slime-excreting monsters, famine stalks the land and floods sweep even the most well anchored of minigreenhouses into the neighbouring beck, where three-eyed fish lurk amidst blue-glowing stones...
Oops, looks like I've been putting the wrong mushrooms in my dinner again...

[horticultural_hobbit]

So very true! I have yet to see the three eyed fishy. Only a matter of time; as the dingle brook that cuts through the Shire country park is right behind the fence.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Roses and leeks are looking at me still. Must sink them
Saturday.

[snohare]

the dingle brook that cuts through the Shire country park is right behind the fence.

Oh well, you can bank on it then.
My little leeklings on the windowsill are looking feisty, I think I will need to put them out next week. Cant do it this week, I am going to be too busy tidying up before AberdeenPlotter comes to visit...the place is a mess !
And I have yet to stick even one onion set or garlic clove in the ground, as I was reminded today when someone to whom I had recently demonstrated the art of garlic planting in a pot, proudly showed me the photo of her new baby garlic seedling !

[horticultural_hobbit]

Planted out roses

Harry wheatcroft, silver jubilee, blue moon, pascalli, peace, double delight, Christian Dior, ruby wedding, lovers delight and Dutch gold.

They now dog leg the far left of the plot and could potentially form a nice enclosure. Did mulch around the base, and really don't want the clay to eat them. Very thorny things. Nice and easy to plug in.