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New allotment holder alert!
susanmaclean
Posts: 6
Hello everyone!
I am about to take ownership of an allotment in Fife, Scotland. I am excited and nervous.
It's 72 metres squared. Is this a half size or full size? I don't know.
I have a few books that I am reading up on and all the online guides are great.
Bye for now,
Susan
0
Posts
Hello Susan and welcome aboard
How exciting!!! I've no idea about the size of your allotment (it was all rods, poles and perches back when we had one in the 70s
) but someone will know.
Just thought I'd say, never hesitate to ask what you think might be a daft question ... we were all beginners once, we've all made silly mistakes and we're all happy to help
Everyone's welcome to pop in and say Hello on the threads in the Potting Shed and we love before and after pictures
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you for the lovely reply. I am sure I will have lots of silly questions soon.
I will try and remember to take a before pic.
Thanks.
Oh thanks for that! I think a third size is quite enough for this beginner!
Hi Susan
Come July this year I will have had my allotment for two years. It was one of the best decisions I have made. I do hope you get as much pleasure from yours as I do from mine. Without my son's help I couldn't have managed on my own as he turned it from a jungle into paths and flower beds and even a little patio but he is only here for a few months of the year. The rest of the year is up to me.
I think my biggest mistake was planting shrubs too close to each other not realising how big they would grow. Had some really nice colourful flowers last summer and can't wait for the Spring to see what has survived.
The only originals left are two apple trees, one pear tree and two gooseberry bushes. The trees are ideal for bird feeders.
Going to attempt to grow potatoes this year as reading other threads has spurred me on.
Unfortunately I don't have the facilities for photos. I could be wrong but you sound quite young so have plenty of time ahead of you. Patience is the key factor so don't ever be discouraged.
Going to attempt to measure mine roughly to see how it compares with yours.
Enjoy.
Hi Fran,
Thank you for your message. Your allotment sounds lovely. Thanks for the recommendation on trees for birds. I am happy to share with the local wildlife. I might regret saying that when there is nothing left!
I am in my thirties so not as young as I used to be but hopefully plenty time to learn. I am hoping it'll give me more exercise and natural vitamin D. Although in Scotland the sun is good at hiding a lot of the year!
Very true Susan but fingers crossed for a better year.
There are many allotment holders on the Forum so you will get plenty of advice when you need it.
Thank you Joyce. I'll certainly be getting more fresh air at least :-)
The more bluetits you attract to your garden the more aphids and caterpillars they'll remove from your veggies so you'll have no need to use insecticides
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Aww I love blue tits. We have lots of them on the bird feeder here at work.
We don't use any insecticides in this garden ... to start with we washed aphids off with a hose or squidged them with our fingers ... within three years of us moving in the bluetits families were hoovering up the aphids and the ladybirds were helping and there's absolutely no need for us to do anything ... nature has achieved a balance.
We do net the broccoli tho' ... otherwise the cabbage white caterpillars and pigeons will combine to eat every single one.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.