Looking forward to 2017

[Sian Bunney]

Hey everyone!

It's that time again - I'm looking for your comments to feature in the Allotment Inspiration pages of our January issue.

We'd like to know:
What tasks/sowings are you most looking forward to in 2017?

Let me know your thoughts!


Best wishes,
Sian

[Nicos]

I love to see the first seeds of the year germinating.
2017 is going to be the year of the Espelette Pepper.

I know I can't wait to take down the Xmas decorations and put the little seeds (in a little dish onto damp kitchen paper covered with cling film) onto my kitchen radiator.
And then, best bit of all....check for germination almost every time I walk past them, which is many times a day!!
That first tiny white feathery root will , for me, be the beginning of the 2017 growing year

[Cadalot]

I'm already working on 2017, I have my overwintering onions kicking off the greenhouse and a whole load of tasks for both allotment to achieve between now and the real start of the season in 2017. Including the clearing of one greenhouse which is being used for storage on one allotment and the construction of the hard standing and new greenhouse on the other allotment and the creation of four additional beds and infrastructure. I'm sorting egg sized spuds from this years crops to use for next year as seed potatoes, seed sorting and the making of plans for both plots for the coming year.

Personally I think this time of year can be as busy as the rest of the year, and I only miss a Sunday on one plot or another if its raining.

I look forward to trying to grow onions from seed immediately after Christmas, I have no idea why but this year I just could not get them to germinate, perhaps I should think about a heated propagator, but I'm going to have another bash early next year. The whole growing from seed and nursing you babies to the point where they become sturdy little plants and then planting them out to grow and produce me food never gets old and rocks my boat every year.

I try to grow something each year that I have not tried before, or crack something that I have had problems with in the past.

[Lumpy]

I'm looking forward to 2017 but I know that I will do exactly the same as I have always done - start seeding far too early, have a living room full of various delicates in front of the radiator and end up buying something weird and wonderful to try.

Bring it on as me verses Nature is an exhilerating experience I would not be without.

[Small pumpkin]

I'm looking forward to 2017 because it will be my first consecutive growing year! Unfortunately since I've been gardening life has thrown some humongous spanners in the works. So I'm hopefully going to learn from this years mistake ( because I will of remembered them ), and going to try some new growing techniques, and lots of new varieties. My main growing obsession apart from chillies ( which goes without saying) will be squash & pumpkin.

[Greenleaves]

The beautiful thing about gardening is every year you get another go, I look forward to seeing the the first shoots of spring, even the weeds as it means the soil is warming and is ready for planting

[lottie dolly]

Some people will aready have B beans and onions in the ground,but for me personaly,January is the time of year when attention can go,into what seeds to plant and when,also think,is there anything thats needed like,compost,labels,garden gloves ext,not without saying,keeping in touch with the vine folk for info and swapping ideas,as for seeds and plants,always looking for something new to me.

[Snadger]

I'm looking forward to daylight returning again!

[Guest]

I am looking forward to getting more out of my cut flowers, I am really chuffed with how it went this year. I love looking for those first tips of asparagus poking through, despite knowing I must look like an idiot to my neighbours, as I am scouring a patch of dirt (also a shame I can't harvest any till next year ). Really looking forward
playing with my heated propagator for the first time and trying some new to me varieties inc. aji pineapple. Then there is the challenge of improving my melon and brassica growing.

[Jay-ell]

I'm looking forward to getting my poly tunnel up so I can use it next year to grow some more exotic sounding veg - looking forward to growing Litchi Tomatoes, a seriously thorny relative of the tomato that has no qualms about letting you know exactly how thorny it is.

I'm also doing a legumathon next year with 6 varieties of climbing french, 6 varieties of dwarf french, 4 varieties of climbing runner, 4 varieties of dwarf runner, 5 varieties of tall peas, 4 regular types of peas, 2 types of broad beans, lentils, lupins, adzuki beans, yard long beans and possibly soya (and others grapes thought I was only obsessed with onions ). This should help me decide on standard varieties to grow from then onwards.

This means I need more growing space so I'll be ripping out some of the beds in the New Territories plot and rebuilding them to make better use of the plot.

[Snadger]

I'm looking forward to getting my poly tunnel up so I can use it next year to grow some more exotic sounding veg - looking forward to growing Litchi Tomatoes, a seriously thorny relative of the tomato that has no qualms about letting you know exactly how thorny it is.

I'm also doing a legumathon next year with 6 varieties of climbing french, 6 varieties of dwarf french, 4 varieties of climbing runner, 4 varieties of dwarf runner, 5 varieties of tall peas, 4 regular types of peas, 2 types of broad beans, lentils, lupins, adzuki beans, yard long beans and possibly soya (and others grapes thought I was only obsessed with onions ). This should help me decide on standard varieties to grow from then onwards.

This means I need more growing space so I'll be ripping out some of the beds in the New Territories plot and rebuilding them to make better use of the plot.

I think you need to set up a Market Stall near to the main gate as you'll never eat all that stuff!

[MarkPelican]

I've already sorted most of my seeds and decided what to grow at the allotment. This year I'm going to try some of the "half hour allotment" principles to reduce the total number of hours spent at the allotment.

I haven't decided which tomatoes to grow yet. I will be aiming for 24 - 30 different varieties about half new to me and half the ones I like best.

[Scoot]

I'm looking forward to trying to grow a few different varieties of chillies next year. I bought all the seeds a month or so back and im getting a heated propagator for xmas to help me along.

Already got some ailsa Craig onions germinate and they'll be ready to go out in the spring.

[Cadalot]

I've already sorted most of my seeds and decided what to grow at the allotment. This year I'm going to try some of the "half hour allotment" principles to reduce the total number of hours spent at the allotment.

I had not heard of the "half hour allotment" principles until I read your post, I did a google search and found an RHS Book of the same name, is that what you are talking about?

[Sian Bunney]

Thank you everyone for your insightful comments! I hope you enjoy the rest of 2016, and bring on the next growing year!

Sian