My First Allotment

[gawdambugs]

thanks for the advice Nick... why is some of my rhubarb yellow? I had to wqater it as it was looking a bit floppy...

[gawdambugs]

sorry - me again - I bought cauliflower seeds today and it said to plant them ina seed bed, then plant out when they are ready.. do I have to grown them indoors to start with or can I just put them straight in the ground - my soil looks good..there are lots of bugs living in it!!!

[Lesley Jay]

It sounds as though you have two different varieties of rhubarb which will be why one is yellow and the other red. If it is starting to go floppy pull a few sticks and that usually gets it going again.

With cauliflower seed I find it best to sow the seed in a seed tray or cells indoors and then plant out when the plants are big enough.

[sewer rat]

Hi GDB
I'd go with LJ's advice on the cauliflower too and sow them in cells or small pots - look on it as giving them the best start in life you can. I've currently got caulis and three types of cabbage in pots in my unheated greenhouse - will plant them out next month - after I have shot and eaten the wood pigeon who has set up residence a couple of metres from my veg beds.

[nick the grief]

It hasn't been covereD over with something has it GDB? The leaves go that colour when you force it. Failing that it may just be slow to get going. Give it a bit of time & if it still looks sickly try some Maxicrop or other seaweed based liquid on it that may help.

Another thought, have you but some muck on it recently? (much better with custard)

[Lesley Jay]

Nick I thought Gawdambugs meant the colour of the sticks on the rhubarb not the leaves.

[gawdambugs]

i do mean the sticks..... the leaves are all the same colour but the sticks are red and on other plants they are bright pink and on others yellow...... also, do you think it is a good idea to rotavate the rest of my plot or do it by hand

[nick the grief]

Not sure LJ so Ithought I'd cover all possibilities

[sewer rat]

GDB
Have you or can you identify what weeds you have on your plot ? - if you have bindweed or ground elder or any other perrenial weed that can grow from a section of root, I'd stay away from the rotovator, and just work your way up your plot by spade and fork, just doing a little at a time, clearing the ground of the perrenial weeds as you go.

[gawdambugs]

Oh - I dont know what they are.... there are plenty of dandelions,stingy nettles too.... I will check the web for pictures of the other weeds.

[gawdambugs]

Sorry to be a pain (again) .... my compost bins look a bit of a mess but am not sure if that is what they should look like.... there was dirt but with lots of bits of plants Is it best if i empty them and start them again - also, why do people have 2 compost bins on site?

[nick the grief]

1 to "cook" & one to fill GDB. Once your bin is full you leave it to mature, with the occasional turn & start on the other ne filling it up. The when that ones full you empty No 1 & start again.

[gawdambugs]

Thanks for the advice You are all so friendly and helpful!!!! Am going back to my allotment again tomorrow to do some more digging and to plan my carrots and caulis - weather has been lovely here!!!

[gawdambugs]

Have just been reading `how to` thread re composting... have decided I am going to empty my bins and start from scratch. I am a bit unsure on how to turn the compost as I go along.... have re read it twice now but am still not getting it... You will have to excuse me as sometimes I can be a bit dim

[Nicos]

No you are doing really well!!
good to be so interested in getting things right!!
You deserve to do well!!!