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Experimental Gardener

  • I have followed other bloggers and You Tube videos over the years so I thought I would share my experiencers with others with the same interests.
  • I will be writing about how I have managed my allotments over the past 8 years just starting with one now I have three allotments. I wouls like to share what has worked for me and what has not not worked. Gardening is an art and a science both go together. I alway listen to the advice of my fellow allotment holders especally those of greater years and experient. Thats no top say they cant learn something from me as I tend to grow things in a slightly unconventional way
  • I would like to connect to other allotmnet holders to share experiences.
  • I have onlu just started blogging so if I can get as much of what has happend over the past 12 months on my site I would consider that some sort of accomplishment
  • I follow the WWII Dig for Victory guidance which are a great plan for growing ypour own food all year round.

Reaping the Rewards

All the produce is now coming in. I currently have a large amount of tomatoes,carrots and peppers my preferred method of storage is to freeze them, the following two videos show how I prepare and process chopped tomatoes,sliced peppers and carrots.

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Growing Potatoes

I am trying to catch up with what I have been doing over the past 2 years then hopefully will be able to update in real time. In May 2018 I had a hip replacement which put me out of action for 6 weeks. This was a key period for the allotment so I had to do the planning before I went into hospital. I had been researching different ways of growing potatoes and was interested to try growing potatoes in 50 litre pots. I had 50 x 50 litres pots which I started off late April I use B&Q Verve multipurpose compost 125 litre bags at a cost of £8.49 I use about 10 bags. I start off with putting 4 inches of compost at the bottom of the pot then put 3 seed potatoes on top of the compost. I use Charlotte (early) and Sarpo Mira (main crop) which I have used for the past 3 years. Sarpo Mira is a red skin potato can be used for mash, roasting, chips or boiled. I have had some good results the first year I used the pots I dug the whole plot and sunk the pots into the ground see picture below.

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Unfortunately I on the 31st March 2019 I tripped and fell onto my new hip and smashed the ceramic head so had to have another hip replacement on the 3rd April 19. So I had to rely on my sons to help plant the potatoes we did the same as 2018 planted into the ground. Again had a good result. Picture below shows return from one bucket.

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This year I managed to stay on two feet and did not have any further incidents. After digging the plot last year I wanted to find a better way to grow the potatoes so I created some mini raised beds see photo below I put in 8 beds with 4 buckets in each bed and put wood chip paths around the beds. The Parish Council Groundsmen often leave a pile of chippings to use

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More to follow.

Allotment Year

I currently have 3 allotments, I started with 1 plot 8 years ago and acquired the further 2 by accident. The current allotments have been cut in half so most plots are half size. I asked about a plot that was adjacent to my plot but was told it had been allocated to someone else, this was a shame as it was well looked after. Behind my allotment was a wilderness which was previously held by 2 lads, after 12 months they left and the plot became a wilderness. So I asked if I could take this over to sort it out! I was given the green light to take this plot over then the following day I received a letter advising that I had the other plot I had asked about. Hence 3 plots.

I would like to chart my progress over the past two years in sorting out my plots I have pictures and video clips to show what I have done and achieved. It has become a full time job as those who are into allotments will know. This is my first post but hopefully will build upon this as we move forward. Ultimately I want to share my experiences with others on what works and and what does not.

My 3 Allotments

2 years ago I acquired 2 more allotments making a total of 3 one of the 3 was is a pretty bad way 6 foot of grass and weeds. In the first year I strimmed the plot the clover the whole plot with black weed suppressant fabric I left this one for 12 months before constructing a poly tunnel on one half of the plot last year. This year I constructed a hoop net covered structure with raised beds. All my plots have raised beds which I am a big fan of.

This was the plot I took on complete wilderness
2 years on
2 years on