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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 21:34:54 GMT 1
Or have we. ;D Rob and I are about to get our first Lottie tomorrow.  It's very exciting but also daunting. We had our first look at it Saturday morning. The plot is about 20 meters by 8 meters (roughly 65ft x 25ft ) has been cleared/ strimmed but has couch grass and other perennial weeds on it ( No Mares tail, Bind weed or Ground elder that I can see. Although there is something that looks a little like Cranesbill)(See picture below). It really is a blank canvas waiting to be cultivated. A very big bonus I think, is at the bottom corner we have a natural pond and the children are chuffed to bits. The plot is on the edge of a marsh (conservation area) so I don't think we will have a problem with a shortage of water, but possible the opposite if the last 2 years weather continues. So we are thinking of raised beds. The only other problem we might have is that on 2 sides we have large trees around the edge, which might cast more shadow than we need but on a foggy morning it was hard to tell. Our first pictures. South East View of plot.   North east view of plot.  The pond. ;D  The ground and close up of the weed i'm not sure of.   So thats my news – have we lost the plot or do you think it's worth a go, all comments/tips gratefully received.  Alison.x |
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Post by maggyd on Nov 30, 2008 21:44:24 GMT 1
What a great location Ali  and the ground looks good you will have that turned in no time, the buttercups might take some getting rid of though! the roots go everywhere but that is better than waist high grass isnt it? I can see you will be putting Joe Swift to shame in no time Good digging.  |
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Post by Sleepy on Nov 30, 2008 22:02:27 GMT 1
Wow! You've got your work cut out. I would try and improve the drainage first Ali, it looks very errr... boggy. And I don't think sand will be enough. You may have to dig some trenches and put some kind of drainage in. Although it will look worse for the time of year. If that pond isn't lined then that is your water table  No, you've not gone mad. It's gonna be an exciting and rewarding challenge ;D |
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Post by karenwl on Nov 30, 2008 22:03:20 GMT 1
Great news Ali Maggy is spot on ive got lots of these on mine but the roots are thin its easy to get out.
It does not look bad at all just looks like surface weeds.
GO FOR IT YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOO.
Karen xx
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Post by Biggles on Nov 30, 2008 22:19:27 GMT 1
Thats Great Ali--
I will look forward to all your news and how you get on with it--Bigs
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:20:31 GMT 1
What a great location Ali and the ground looks good you will have that turned in no time, the buttercups might take some getting rid of though! the roots go everywhere but that is better than waist high grass isnt it? I can see you will be putting Joe Swift to shame in no time Good digging. Thanks Maggy I didn't think of buttercups but then again I have never nticed what the leaf shape looks like only the flowers. - might have a google. And it sure is better than waist high weeds any day. ;D As for putting Joe Swift to shame - well maybe not in the first year.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 30, 2008 22:31:03 GMT 1
It looks very big! (But that's good! ) And I think Sleepy has a point about the water table - you will have to be careful - it might be a good idea to dig some shallow holes at various points and see how quickly they fill up with water........that will give you some idea about whether how high you will need to raise the beds, and if the site is flat too but at least your OH is knowledgable about that sort of thing!. It looks as if you have a lot of willows around the site so it will, no doubt, be wet. But it looks as if you can begin with a clean sheet and design it all yourself which is always a good start! Slightly too much water is better than not enough - with raised beds you can alter the soil too - it looks like it might be claggy - but with water underneath you have an advantage as the plants will grow down to reach the wet.. It might be wise to find out if the site has flooded recently though.......but how very exciting! You have a fine time planning it for a few weeks (but get your broad beans in pots asap!)  |
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:31:33 GMT 1
Wow! You've got your work cut out. I would try and improve the drainage first Ali, it looks very errr... boggy. And I don't think sand will be enough. You may have to dig some trenches and put some kind of drainage in. Although it will look worse for the time of year. If that pond isn't lined then that is your water table No, you've not gone mad. It's gonna be an exciting and rewarding challenge ;D Thanks Sleepy No the pond is not lined that I know of, so yes at this time of year that is the water table level. Although that is the lowest part of the plot which you can't see from the photo's. We will also be keeping that area very natural and wild life freindly. Rob is certainly the one to sort out the drainage if needs be as it's his line of business. And he is very excited about the challenge. ;D |
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:35:37 GMT 1
Great news Ali Maggy is spot on ive got lots of these on mine but the roots are thin its easy to get out. It does not look bad at all just looks like surface weeds. GO FOR IT YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOO. Karen xx Thanks Karen Rob has just been googling but doesn't think it is buttercups.  Yes I know we want to, but can we really fit it all in. I/we are really very excited though. ;D The kids are too and have been asking when we will all be going down again. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 30, 2008 22:38:42 GMT 1
It's creeping buttercup, Ali. A pernicious weed but there are worse ones! Google 'creeping buttercup' and there's a good picture of it - I can't get the link to work.. : |
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:39:47 GMT 1
Thats Great Ali-- I will look forward to all your news and how you get on with it--Bigs Thanks Bigs I will do my best to remember the camera as much as I can. ;D Think It will be slow progress though this side of Christmas and with it being so very wet. |
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:48:06 GMT 1
It looks very big! (But that's good! ) And I think Sleepy has a point about the water table - you will have to be careful - it might be a good idea to dig some shallow holes at various points and see how quickly they fill up with water........that will give you some idea about whether how high you will need to raise the beds, and if the site is flat too but at least your OH is knowledgable about that sort of thing!. It looks as if you have a lot of willows around the site so it will, no doubt, be wet. But it looks as if you can begin with a clean sheet and design it all yourself which is always a good start! Slightly too much water is better than not enough - with raised beds you can alter the soil too - it looks like it might be claggy - but with water underneath you have an advantage as the plants will grow down to reach the wet.. It might be wise to find out if the site has flooded recently though.......but how very exciting! You have a fine time planning it for a few weeks (but get your broad beans in pots asap!) Hi 4P and thanks I thought it looked a bit smaller on the photo's : Digging holes in various places Rob has already mentioned to see what happens and it crossed my mind too, well you can't live with someone in the water industry for nearly 20 years and not learn something along the way can you. ;D ( It's all we ever talk about  ) Yes loads of willows - I might be able to aquire some if anyone needs some. I hear they root very easily. Will do with the broad beans just need to find them in the GC. |
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Post by alicat on Nov 30, 2008 22:50:34 GMT 1
It's creeping buttercup, Ali. A pernicious weed but there are worse ones! Google 'creeping buttercup' and there's a good picture of it - I can't get the link to work.. : Thanks 4P - Got Rob on the job as I type. ;D Just hope I don't have any more surprises tomorrow. |
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Post by maggyd on Nov 30, 2008 22:54:44 GMT 1
You will probably have to dig a few drainage ditches Ali! failing that you can always grow rice!! |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 30, 2008 23:01:12 GMT 1
Thats Great Ali-- I will look forward to all your news and how you get on with it--Bigs Thanks Bigs I will do my best to remember the camera as much as I can. ;D Think It will be slow progress though this side of Christmas and with it being so very wet. Although I haven't an allotment or even grown vegetables I am still very interested to see how it all takes shape from the very begining- At least you have someone to help you in the 'new'' venture and this Board (members) for loads of advice- Good Luck--Bigs |
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Post by maggyd on Nov 30, 2008 23:06:09 GMT 1
Ive just been looking again! and do you know that pond looks as if it has been dug out and it has some pond plants in hasnt it? if it was a swamp it would be just a dip at the sides wouldnt it!!
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 1, 2008 0:05:29 GMT 1
Looks like you are going to be busy Ali ;D The plot looks quite clear, the Buttercup is a pain but not as bad as some weeds. I think the others have covered just about everything, I agree with 4P that raised beds can really help if the ground proves to be very wet. Good luck with it all and keep us informed of your progress. |
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Post by alicat on Dec 1, 2008 0:08:32 GMT 1
You will probably have to dig a few drainage ditches Ali! failing that you can always grow rice!! Now there's a thought ;D Rob is talking of experimenting in the first year to see what works best, He did say that drainage might not help if the water table is high most of the year. I'm now wondering if it's a none starter before we start. But then If I suggest that I really would be in the dog house - His line of work at the mo is Designing Flood Defences. - Think this is a two fold challenge, for Rob anyway. I on the other hand want to get digging and plant, plant, plant. ;D Come to think of it, I remember the man that showed us round saying the man before dug it out and had goldfish in it. Don't think we will be doing that though. I would really like to encourage frogs etc. Directly on the other side of the fence though is a swamp which in a dry summer becomes more of a bog than a pond. |
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Post by alicat on Dec 1, 2008 0:17:34 GMT 1
Thanks Bigs I will do my best to remember the camera as much as I can. ;D Think It will be slow progress though this side of Christmas and with it being so very wet. Although I haven't an allotment or even grown vegetables I am still very interested to see how it all takes shape from the very begining- At least you have someone to help you in the 'new'' venture and this Board (members) for loads of advice- Good Luck--Bigs Thanks Biggles You might not have an allotment or grown veg but if you come across anything that you might think is interesting or worth a try post it on here, all info very much appreciated. Ermmm - someone to help - he is a very handy Hubby ;D But we do have our differences at times. : |
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Post by alicat on Dec 1, 2008 0:22:00 GMT 1
Looks like you are going to be busy Ali ;D The plot looks quite clear, the Buttercup is a pain but not as bad as some weeds. I think the others have covered just about everything, I agree with 4P that raised beds can really help if the ground proves to be very wet. Good luck with it all and keep us informed of your progress. Thanks FC Sorry I missed you, Daughter came down crying, long story but she has gone to bed fine now. I think raised beds is the way will go really. Rob is even talking of taking the raised beds out of the garden.  Will do my best to keep everyone updated. Though don't think we will get much done before xmas. |
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Post by roan on Dec 1, 2008 0:27:43 GMT 1
Ali, you and your hubby have taken on a major project which should reap plenty of rewards along the way. I am looking forward to seeing your progress, so keep taking the photos! How do your neighbouring allotment holders get on? Are theirs as wet as yours? Do they have drainage, raised beds etc.? |
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Post by alicat on Dec 1, 2008 0:51:48 GMT 1
Ali, you and your hubby have taken on a major project which should reap plenty of rewards along the way. I am looking forward to seeing your progress, so keep taking the photos! How do your neighbouring allotment holders get on? Are theirs as wet as yours? Do they have drainage, raised beds etc.? Hi Roan and thanks. How do I explain this. It is an old plot that was never really worked on just used to store junk from what I can gather although the plot we are taking on was worked on the most apparently. - Now i'm having more doubts. It has since been cleared and split into 3 plots in the last month or so. So we are all new and will learn together, hopefully trading ideas. The rest of the plots seem to do fine although a little higher up and further away from the marsh. The man that showed us round also showed us his plot (On the edge of the marsh too but higher up)- it looked very good for this time of year (he's 77) and no raised beds. Maybe it might be alright after all. Hoping to get there tomorrow and will put my camera in my goodie bag. Thanks again all. It's mad but exciting and i've really enjoyed sharing with you. - You should have seen me jumping round the kitchen like an excited child when I got the letter. ;D ;D A.x |
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Post by 4pygmies on Dec 1, 2008 8:30:11 GMT 1
I've been thinking about your lottie overnight, Ali and I thought I'd just say what I would do if it was mine, I hope you don't mind! For a start I would be keeping a sharp eye out looking for wood to use as raised beds, old pallets etc on building sites and in skips too. I would also be looking for a good source of horse muck and I would be taking it to the lottie and stacking it somewhere on there. And have you thought about the children joining a Children's Scheme? The Organic Gardening magazine run one where you get a pretty good free pack of starter seeds when you join - that sort of thing really engages children - it's far better to get them keen, it'll make life far easier for you and they are just at the right age to want to grow their own  And also have a fine trawl through garden centres and DIY store planty sections because they are often selling stuff cheaply at this time of year, although it might be a tad late now maybe. Online stuff is reduced now too so you could get some bargain fruit bushes or such like. I bought three pots of Rhubarb for £6 recently, normally it's £6 per pot! You know I don't think you need be too despondent about your site perhaps having a watery problem - it has advantages too and if you have raised beds you are ahead of the game hopefully. And it could be stuffed with brambles and other such nasties, couldn't it? I hope you don't mind this post, I don't want to sound bossy! It's such fun having a lottie so you go right ahead and have a brilliant time planning it all for a few weeks! ;D |
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Post by debbiem on Dec 1, 2008 10:20:45 GMT 1
Ooo, I bet you two are really excited! And what a lovely location to have your lottie in, and the pond too - perfect! |
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Post by madonplants on Dec 1, 2008 11:19:23 GMT 1
If you take all the advice Ali, you won't go far wrong. It might just need to be 'well' worked, but the raised beds will be a good start. A pond already there, that has to be good news to start with!
I can just imagine you jumping about the kitchen!! ;D
Keep us informed, won't you?
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