Pay Day - The Plot Gets a Treat!

Well, today was pay day. So I decided to treat the plot.

Me and Dan (who conveniently has a van) had a bit of a tour around Wickes, Homebase and The Range and came away with 40 concrete paving slabs, 1200 litres of bark chippings, 100 litres of compost, 10 bags of sand and cement, a bottle of fruit & veg food and a redcurrant plant.

We laid a base for the shed using the sand and cement and 15 slabs, laid a path down the middle of the plot, built some more path edging and laid bark for the working/beer drinking area.

The path is wonky and the shed base isn't exactly level but I'll fix timbers on top of it before the shed goes on, so it'll be ok. Besides, I quite like the rustic look - it gives it character!

I treated the raspberries to some compost, food and a new friend (the redcurrant bush).

The plot is really starting to get somewhere now!

First Plants Planted!!!!

I've not had a chance to get down the plot during the week due to work and early dusk.

I took today off work and went and did a bit. I visited The Range (DIY / garden centre / home wares store) and bought a roll of that half log type lawn edging, some bamboo canes and two raspberry plants.

I then went to the plot and started on building my path edges. I used the timber I acquired with the half log things as stakes.

I also dug a bed 1m by 4m and planted my new raspberry plants (supported with a frame I made from the canes). Let's hope they provide loads of lovely, fat juicy fruit!

It's Begun

I have finally been down the plot and got started.

I hired a petrol brush cutter (big strimmer) and chopped down anything that was growing more than 1/2" tall

I then covered (almost) the entire plot in weed suppressant fabric to stop them growing back.

I held the fabric in place with dozens of tent pegs and a load of old timber that I aquired yesterday.

Draft Design on Google Sketchup

I've downloaded Google Sketchup and come up with a few designs.

I have decided to go with a simple layout with large blocks for growing in, a shed, compost bin, cloche and an area for working, sitting and drinking tea/beer.

Time To Start

It's been a few weeks since I was given the keys to the allotments and I have decided that it is about time I got to work.

This is my first real attempt at gardening, let alone allotmenteering. The plot is absolutely covered in weeds. Dandelions, bindweed, couch grass and loads of others that I don't recognise.

Thankfully, my next-door neighbour, Dan, has agreed to share the workload in exchange for sharing the produce. Dan is also a gardening novice - this should be fun!!!

My wife has promised me a 6'x4' shed for christmas!

This is going to be a real challenge. I'd better get started!