plot 63, here i come!

[Feral007]

congratulations! Not really expensive in the long run. A couple of weeks veg shopping at the most. Hope you get lots of enjoyment out of it. As well as food.

[cptncrackoff]

I didnt really consider the cost of the plot in the decision to take the plunge, obviously i checked it out before i applied.
At the only supermarket here 1KG bag of potato is �2, twin pack of sweetcorn �1, large cauliflower �1.85, it shouldnt take too long to at least break even!

I'm itching to get down there and started, but I feel a few plans are called for, firstly...

It's divided into 4 beds, with a large (40cm +) path dividing each section.
I cant help but think that thats alot of waste?

[veggiechicken]

Do you need 40cms for a wheelbarrow?
Your plot sounds perfect, with everything you need to get up and running - Lucky you

[cptncrackoff]

Possibly, although I dont yet own a wheelbarrow, and cant see that i'd need to drive one right down the middle of the plot!?
The allotment man suggested that people see them divided up on telly, think it looks pretty and follow suit.
Saying that the plot next door has a sectioned off part for rhubarb, asparagus and some fruit bushes, that looked quite good, having a place for permanant (sp) features.

[Snadger]

Awww, Snadge, you say the nicest things *blushes*

Always HAVE had a way with words..........................

[veggiechicken]

Always HAVE had a way with words..........................

So I've noticed.............

[veggiechicken]

The allotment man suggested that people see them divided up on telly, think it looks pretty and follow suit.
Saying that the plot next door has a sectioned off part for rhubarb, asparagus and some fruit bushes, that looked quite good, having a place for permanant (sp) features.

One for permanent and 3 for rotation?

[Kaiya]

It's divided into 4 beds, with a large (40cm +) path dividing each section.
I cant help but think that thats alot of waste?

Mine's smaller than yours and has a 40cm offset central path and five 30cm paths between beds. But then, mine is no-dig so paths are needed to access the beds without stepping on them. Even though the plot is tiny I certainly put my wheelbarrow on the paths - essential for shovelling stuff from barrow to bed.

[VirginVegGrower]

Possibly, although I dont yet own a wheelbarrow, and cant see that i'd need to drive one right down the middle of the plot!?
The allotment man suggested that people see them divided up on telly, think it looks pretty and follow suit.
Saying that the plot next door has a sectioned off part for rhubarb, asparagus and some fruit bushes, that looked quite good, having a place for permanant (sp) features.

We didn't divide the first two years and we ended up walking over ground that we subsequently needed to plant on. I used to plant in traditional rows, but to be honest if it's wet you go sliding every where - not funny. ours is divided with raised beds and yes I think it does look pretty, BUT it is practical. Raised beds enable me to mulch and no dig. I have better rotation plans, with more options. We are even dividing again. When you do this, you can block plant and get more bang for your buck IMO in terms of spacing. If you plant in row, then you have got to step somewhere, which is in itself wasted space in your plan. Our paths are all set at eighteen inches width, apart from the middle one, which is the wheelbarrow path and is 2'. I would say splitting them is not about seeing them on telly, but learning that old style row planting isn't necessarily right for you. Do you want to dig/no dig? I have a permanent fruit bed, permanent asparagus bed and a permanent rhubarb bed, plus raspberry fedge between me and the old boy. When we split it up the two old boys either side of us had plenty to say. Into our second year and one of them is copying us with raised beds...been quizzing Mr VVG loads, who has of course assisted him. The other old boy, whilst still planting in rows has commented on the lovely condition of the soil and is talking about doing some permanent beds in his. I find it quite amusing.
But at the end of the day, this is now YOUR patch and it's about how you like to grow. There is nothing to stop you returning it to a full patch with rows.

[cptncrackoff]

One for permanent and 3 for rotation?

I'm not sure I'd find enough permanent stuff to fill 1/4 of the allotment, I'm thinking asparagus, rhubarb, some rasps. there are already some very healthy strawberries there.

[veggiechicken]

Fruit bushes??

[cptncrackoff]

At home, I have four raised beds, they are 80x120cms, they have been for the last couple of years 'no dig'.
I think the lottie will need to be a 'dig' allotment , for this year at least.
perhaps i need to sit down, look through any options, draw some pictures, i already have a seed order sorted, its just a case of planning whats going where.

[cptncrackoff]

Fruit bushes??

well i originally said fruit bushes, i actually dont like goosberries, currants, blackberries...so its just raspberries! haha

[veggiechicken]

Summer and autumn fruiting razzers can take up a lot of room! Grow whatever you like to eat- although fish are difficult

[cptncrackoff]

It'll be a releif to be able to grow with 'proper' spacing!
I'm going to have to read up on growing more 'exotic' species.
I cant wait, but i have to, as i havnt even got the key yet, which didnt stop me taking the family on a walk across the rec to point out through the fence... 'there it is'! haha!