Looks like that 'concrete' is in the form of slabs, which are a good deal easier to move about. You could use some of them for paths, and a patio where you want it. You;ll have to remove the concrete pads that they're laid on though - unless it turns out to be just sand, which will make your life a lot easier.
Your site seems to be pretty open which means you'll have plenty of light - but maybe also wind.
As far as fruit & veg are concerned the only golden rule is to grow what you like to eat!
Apologies, I should have said concrete slabs.The slabs themselves are very easy to lift as the garden is actually on a very subtle downslope, the slabs also sit on sand, not pads, so won't be quite as monstrous a job to lift.
My initial thoughts are to turn the L shaped patch of soil into a square by lifting and removing the slabs, then covering with turf, leaving a small amount to grow raspberries and maybe some maincrop potatoes. Issue here is the soil is quite thick (clay) but still seems to get decent drainage (1 full spade head down before hitting any resistance)
The garden itself actually gets a great amount of light and is relatively well protected from strong winds.
The other issue will be the border which is covered in old tree stumps and very big roots, things will grow here but I am tempted to try and do some raised beds instead while incorporating the pots/containers I already have around the remaining concrete area.
It might be an idea to separate the productive bit from the playing bit, as a football kicked into the veg can cause a lot of damage, not to mention its retrieval.
Digging in the sand from under the slabs into the clay (or letting the worms do it) will help, although it's probably the wrong kind of sand. What it needs is lots of compost. But if you have a full spit of improved soil above the clay it seems as if someone's already improved it to some extent.
Raising the beds over the stumps/roots is a good idea but will need a lot of extra soil - is there anywhere you can take it from?
Where do I find a tenant that likes gardening?! My last four tenants have added to the garden by dumping rubbish and not lifting a finger to do so much as cut the grass (with the brand new mower provided). Your landlord is very very lucky lansy.
Steve - Good idea to fence off. The soil is good as I added several bags of well rotted horse manure from a local farm when we moved in in September. In terms of the raised planters, they don't need to be too high I assume, just enough to allow for a root structure to develop?
Tootles - Never understood renters who don't take care of a place, might not be our house but we still have to live here.
Tetley - We already have an enormous shed and I have some pallets and corrugated plastic I will be using to build a coldframe, a small greenhouse might be in the future but that's where spending money comes into the factor.
Posts
Looks like that 'concrete' is in the form of slabs, which are a good deal easier to move about. You could use some of them for paths, and a patio where you want it. You;ll have to remove the concrete pads that they're laid on though - unless it turns out to be just sand, which will make your life a lot easier.
Your site seems to be pretty open which means you'll have plenty of light - but maybe also wind.
As far as fruit & veg are concerned the only golden rule is to grow what you like to eat!
Apologies, I should have said concrete slabs.The slabs themselves are very easy to lift as the garden is actually on a very subtle downslope, the slabs also sit on sand, not pads, so won't be quite as monstrous a job to lift.
My initial thoughts are to turn the L shaped patch of soil into a square by lifting and removing the slabs, then covering with turf, leaving a small amount to grow raspberries and maybe some maincrop potatoes. Issue here is the soil is quite thick (clay) but still seems to get decent drainage (1 full spade head down before hitting any resistance)
The garden itself actually gets a great amount of light and is relatively well protected from strong winds.
The other issue will be the border which is covered in old tree stumps and very big roots, things will grow here but I am tempted to try and do some raised beds instead while incorporating the pots/containers I already have around the remaining concrete area.
Thanks for all the comments so far
It might be an idea to separate the productive bit from the playing bit, as a football kicked into the veg can cause a lot of damage, not to mention its retrieval.
Digging in the sand from under the slabs into the clay (or letting the worms do it) will help, although it's probably the wrong kind of sand. What it needs is lots of compost. But if you have a full spit of improved soil above the clay it seems as if someone's already improved it to some extent.
Raising the beds over the stumps/roots is a good idea but will need a lot of extra soil - is there anywhere you can take it from?
N.B When turfing - green side up.
Where do I find a tenant that likes gardening?! My last four tenants have added to the garden by dumping rubbish and not lifting a finger to do so much as cut the grass (with the brand new mower provided). Your landlord is very very lucky lansy.
Thanks everyone
Steve - Good idea to fence off. The soil is good as I added several bags of well rotted horse manure from a local farm when we moved in in September. In terms of the raised planters, they don't need to be too high I assume, just enough to allow for a root structure to develop?
Tootles - Never understood renters who don't take care of a place, might not be our house but we still have to live here.
Tetley - We already have an enormous shed and I have some pallets and corrugated plastic I will be using to build a coldframe, a small greenhouse might be in the future but that's where spending money comes into the factor.