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.
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.
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
More to follow.
Bobs Allotment diaries 