tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38683355739105800032024-03-12T17:10:18.896-07:00 The allotment gardeners taleThis mans first allotment, first own grown fruit and veg and first real backache.needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-39583280485605235492013-05-18T11:14:00.002-07:002013-05-18T11:14:52.053-07:00Box gardening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I had a double bed in the back garden over Christmas and not being one to just chuck stuff out I new I'd find a use for it eventually. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Added a Hessian cover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hanging strawberry bed.</td></tr>
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I am going to use the two boxes on the left for baby gem lettuce, spring onions, Italian salad leafs, garlic chives</div>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-88406702718749089672013-05-17T11:28:00.001-07:002013-05-17T11:28:24.050-07:00lucking good!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am sure I am having more than my fair share of beginners luck with my allotment and with all the reading and research I had done before this season I am more than pleased with the way things are going. Luckily for me I am sharing a greenhouse with someone, so have grown everything from seed and this seems to be paying off when compared to people's shop bought plants. I would like to know what B&Q and Homebase are putting in their soil and feed as they appear (to me) not to like the transition from shop to allotment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romensco broc doing well, my kids love this veg. Looks unique and tastes a little bit like cauliflower.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early savoy growing fast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s5rq3nW-PS2Y_DyRW8uY_52OesUciRjcHkbvgf7g4f2JoFrds1GOrHtMnXJ64ncWUGUm6HJ0YEztfv972jGi3yS-9kxtxUI1o4yWTEk-tutl84MZ-Epm8kWLq6f6G2H-xGjD0RWX5SU/s1600/203_2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s5rq3nW-PS2Y_DyRW8uY_52OesUciRjcHkbvgf7g4f2JoFrds1GOrHtMnXJ64ncWUGUm6HJ0YEztfv972jGi3yS-9kxtxUI1o4yWTEk-tutl84MZ-Epm8kWLq6f6G2H-xGjD0RWX5SU/s320/203_2388.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cauliflower (hate it when the mrs puts cheese on it! dont tell her)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swede. Got told it was to early for this to go in but here it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas. reaching for the sky. My kids eat these raw popping them out watching TV. Better than popcorn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsnips. I really hope these grow OK. My favourite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprouts. Not just for Christmas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubergine. Didn't think this would grow outside this early. But here it is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetcorn. I Thought id killed these off by putting them out so early, but they seem to have come to life again.</td></tr>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-9323938509293230762013-05-10T09:20:00.000-07:002013-05-10T09:20:42.917-07:00.. You've seen a what?..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Managed to get on the plot today and it was no surprise that everything is looking like a tornado has passed through.<br />
I had a little tidy up and weeded between all the bits I've planted so far. I have only been doing this a little while but clearing things and seeing uniform rows of veg plants you've grown from seed fills me with more joy than it should and more than I expected. But joy is short lived and fear sets in.<br />
Not having enough time to do all that I wanted due to my kids simultaneously needing No.2's! Why they can't go at school before I pick them up I shall never know. So packing things up quickly I had to leave everything uncovered. I wasn't worried until leaving....<br />
<br />
"Dad I've just seen a rabbit!"<br />
"You've seen a What?"<br />
"...a rabbit!"<br />
"You're joking....are you sure, you didn't just hear something in the bushes?"<br />
"No I saw a rabbit!"<br />
"**!!" ( I don't swear in front of my kids but I did then)<br />
<br />
......"Dad I need the toilet"<br />
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And that was that. It's my turn to cook as my partner works late on Fridays, so by the time everyone is fed and watered (including said rabbit) it will be to late.<br />
The only good to come out of this and I know its early, but still no sign of slugs and with the amount of seedlings I put in I'm taking it as a good result that the Nematodes worked. Do Nematodes work on rabbits... I think not!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX_Okeowi5FkolDYnn4nQZ7QbsgMFBNZwja9Onjvd1kh7gvi6tSnj1XisxaSFrrPExmIPqbYYmVTzu1Y4BbVeBI2wvk9RapoyIqnCjwhTd7LwMfM1oFe6qmBMPb9HTbjz_glFHFUadbQ/s1600/203_2342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxX_Okeowi5FkolDYnn4nQZ7QbsgMFBNZwja9Onjvd1kh7gvi6tSnj1XisxaSFrrPExmIPqbYYmVTzu1Y4BbVeBI2wvk9RapoyIqnCjwhTd7LwMfM1oFe6qmBMPb9HTbjz_glFHFUadbQ/s320/203_2342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsnips doing well.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin storming ahead</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsnips, Romensco Brock, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Red onion, Swede.</td></tr>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-89029163092399971992013-05-06T16:40:00.000-07:002013-05-09T15:51:12.430-07:00Introducing wildlife to your plot.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfBTZgaQzg2lQTzP92UObgubVjyFTtu9VR5N1HexAiGZAFEXAgEKxGR0i_5yiX8XOVlKwMy3GchOcyjSvG4mMWF75Cy5kkpPKw8wyuOxCrdJXxTOs3ZdWAUTDpPmS1m3N_NExU7FTZT8/s1600/downloads_animal_wallpapers_7_23503!db_05_rescued_hedgehogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfBTZgaQzg2lQTzP92UObgubVjyFTtu9VR5N1HexAiGZAFEXAgEKxGR0i_5yiX8XOVlKwMy3GchOcyjSvG4mMWF75Cy5kkpPKw8wyuOxCrdJXxTOs3ZdWAUTDpPmS1m3N_NExU7FTZT8/s320/downloads_animal_wallpapers_7_23503!db_05_rescued_hedgehogs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Any one that has read my piece on <a href="http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-slugs-are-coming.html" target="_blank">slugs</a> and my use of<a href="http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/nematodes.html" target="_blank"> nematodes</a> to combat them will know, although this is my first plot I am determined to garden as green as possible. This has lead me to explore the encouragement of wildlife to my plot. My first stage in this process was to sow flowers (edible ones at that) to encourage bees for fertilization and friendly bugs like ladybirds to keep populations of gardeners enemy bugs at bay. My second was the introduction of a <a href="http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/come-on-kermit.html" target="_blank">water feature</a> complete with around about sixty tadpoles all growing up quickly into an army of slug killers. If this and the little bug house built on the side of my shed were not enough I joked the other day about building an army of hedgehogs to destroy the invading slimy crop eaters, well guess what? Living at home and having two cats we leave bowls of cat food in our out house out at night for them. Hearing some bizarre noise one evening last week I was amazed to see two hedgehogs making there home in said out house. Being so close to a source of food makes a lot of sense but sharing with my two cats and living in my washing...not such a good idea. Life maybe full of coincidences, that's not for me to say, but it seems it in this instance it was and I knew just where to re-home them.<br />
After stuffing enough dried straw, dried grass and enough leaf material to make the underneath of my shed a fire hazard we decided to release them yesterday just as the sun was coming down. Because of the cats we had a cat box so transporting them was easy enough. Watch the video its quite cool and I am assured by my partner and my kids that they are very cute, I don't know about that either I just know If any of my crops get eaten by slugs after all of this prevention....War!<br />
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-8037733221078635532013-05-03T06:43:00.000-07:002013-05-03T06:43:34.494-07:00Nematodes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you haven't read the reasons why I am using natural slug prevention rather than the easy choice of using slug pellets, please read my post titled <a href="http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-slugs-are-coming.html" target="_blank">The slugs are coming!</a> before you read this. <br />
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I ordered the product from E bay and it was here within two days, which is very important as this is a live product and it is to be put straight into the fridge until you are ready to use it as the shelf life is only two weeks. Choosing the right time and day for the application is a must, dawn or dusk preferable or otherwise just make sure its not in direct sunlight due to evaporation. Luckily for me but not other gardeners Tuesday morning was a cloudy start to the day so conditions were perfect.<br />
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You will need at least an 8 litre watering can, spoon type of instrument and a stirring stick. While I am confident that no wildlife (apart from the slugs) will be harmed using these nematodes. I am using a tea spoon that an adjacent plot holder stirs his tea with every day so any adverse effects on humans I will let you know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42PhE3GyxOu20KXPdtfvJ5DExmRcdNItcKKQhtVlxFEK2LzpA061TPKF89LZ61mTog_ozHTmYyXt0qfXykbOnEC1U_X3wZu_QbxyhsDKgjf25AhTH6t1xG5diY-eSbL8fHSaevd41Xzw/s1600/203_2316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42PhE3GyxOu20KXPdtfvJ5DExmRcdNItcKKQhtVlxFEK2LzpA061TPKF89LZ61mTog_ozHTmYyXt0qfXykbOnEC1U_X3wZu_QbxyhsDKgjf25AhTH6t1xG5diY-eSbL8fHSaevd41Xzw/s320/203_2316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apply the same as the video underneath an that should give you a coverage of 10 metres sq so a full coverage of 40 metres sq which should do most plots and any bigger there are other sizes for sale. This gives you control for up to 6 weeks and you can reapply any time up to October while slugs are active.</div>
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Any one who is reading my blog and with out getting on my soap box I really think that this is the best slug prevention there is. Used along side a few other tricks and maybe sowing a few more seeds knowing you may lose a few to pests, in general is far better than reaching for the slug pellet. It is fact that 95% of slugs actually live underground so attacking them from the top makes no sense. The over use of slug pellets by gardeners is harming our natural predators of the slug which also makes no sense. Surely being a gardener is to be green, to get away from mass produced produce that has been over fertilized and sprayed with so many chemicals to do the same on your plot, small holding or back garden is madness.</div>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-27966330605897996832013-04-28T12:09:00.000-07:002013-04-28T12:09:06.208-07:00Come on Kermit! (update)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After sending in the Lego builders and the family, the frog pond has been finished.</div>
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Planted a sage plant on the left and sown basil, coriander, thyme and rosemary all along the ridge at the back. Behind that I have put about 15 sweetcorn plants and 15 sweetcorn seeds so as to provide shade to the pond and give us lots of sweetcorn. Funny what a difference a day makes as all jobs are now done. Peas are in and by the end of the day were already reaching and curling round the netting. I found an old avery cage that someone threw out and is going to be perfect at housing my brassicas. </div>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-55627710844923930952013-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:002013-04-27T12:03:06.579-07:00Come on Kermit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am so determined not to use any chemicals on my plot and that includes the slug pellet. As some who have read my blog I am using Nematodes to combat slugs underground but am relying on the slugs natural predators on the ground. With a lot of slow worms and common lizards to do the job I thought i'd give them an extra hand as there seems to be an abundance of frog spawn and tadpoles around the place.<br />
Why there were so many baths behind the main allotment shed I don't know but I was determined to recycle one of them.<br />
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<b>Drag to plot.</b></h2>
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Dig hole and place.</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuCX6woVxx8cM-OFotH5Nq_34KVAaKz4Mhf3I0a4_gWY852c3eCUS-rAQ7j-RwUVo44oEzB8engin2gx9WYTe9tBQnI5Bh5opVTiFDUILAaENyf1RSM5eZ4w9M2wlF6yUdFOCp5MKjeE/s1600/203_2289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuCX6woVxx8cM-OFotH5Nq_34KVAaKz4Mhf3I0a4_gWY852c3eCUS-rAQ7j-RwUVo44oEzB8engin2gx9WYTe9tBQnI5Bh5opVTiFDUILAaENyf1RSM5eZ4w9M2wlF6yUdFOCp5MKjeE/s320/203_2289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fill with water and add a bush</h2>
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And learn to take decent pictures.</div>
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Chuck in some tadpoles.</h2>
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And two hours later look who came to visit.</h2>
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Now we have an instant slug catcher and some still to be born. Slugs?...Not on my plot!</div>
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needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-78114943231919127042013-04-26T09:02:00.001-07:002013-04-26T09:02:47.043-07:00Common Lizards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey guys. I am writing a piece on the health of peoples allotments and wondered if you may be able to help me out. In the winter I found these guys hibernating in my shed and while they are common lizards their numbers along with the slow worm are dwindling. So I was wondering are people seeing these on their plots and for any long term plot holders have they seen a difference in there numbers? Also, I know a lot of councils have banned allotments from using carpets and I am not asking you to grass any one up (get it!) are people still using them? Any replies will be appreciated. Thanks.</div>
<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-72107423536772769042013-04-26T02:47:00.002-07:002013-04-26T02:47:59.881-07:00Oops!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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What kind of beginner sows leeks in with his parsnips? This one does. I still don't know how I did it. I have also sowed some pumpkins of which I will be choosing the best to hopefully grow the biggest in the land. If any one is up for a competition with progress reports let me know.</div>
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-84191200214038556252013-04-25T05:46:00.001-07:002013-04-25T05:48:50.582-07:00Things you shouldn't find in the top soil you ordered!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know top soil is sold by weight but putting these old tools in there to make it up..Come on! Still got some good tools now and as you can see already got a broom handle on one, the others ill clean up and get sharpened later. But still...Come on! Naughty garden center.</div>
<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-24076432508808489272013-04-23T14:34:00.001-07:002013-04-23T14:34:06.931-07:00The slugs are coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The battle-lines have been drawn. I hadn't realized that, being my first plot, I would be making plans for an invasion. Speaking again with veteran plot holders, last year was very bad for slugs in the UK and I had better make some sort of defense. So deciding on my options I thought I'd better do some digging (every pun intended).<br />
Wishing to stay organic, my first option isn't really an option. Those little blue pellets that are available absolutely everywhere on further inspection seem to do more harm than good. Whilst they maybe very good at killing slugs their effect on wildlife that feeds on slugs and who should be friends of the gardener is devastating. I cant find any direct evidence confirming this but when I read 'That recent studies have already shown that over the past ten years there have been dramatic falls in toad, frog, hedgehog and thrush populations all whom feed on slugs and snails, I think the evidence is there. Of course not all slug treatments contain the toxic chemical 'metaldehyde' that is responsible for this devastation. There are others for sale, some of which even claim to be organic. I have even found one that advertises as 'not harmful to other animals only kills slugs and snails', only to read the back of the bottle that clearly says 'may harm other animals'. It is only my opinion but I think ill stay away from any chemical treatments concluding that in the long term killing of the slugs natural predators only leads to more slugs leading to more chemicals and so on.<br />
Option two is what I would call the ground war. Taking the fight to them. This it seems is consisted of four things.<br />
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Hand picking speaks for itself and as for the other three there are so many products available that it goes to show what big business gardening has become. I cant help love the ideas and history behind them though. From human hair and egg shell barriers to beer baited traps, for decades the gardener has been fighting this fight. Tried and tested methods passed down through generations since anyone had a small holding. Yet still there are slugs, there will always be slugs and while I love the idea of these time consuming efforts no one has handed down to me some sure fire winner and in the knowledge I would also drink the beer before giving it to any slug, I've already chosen option three.<br />
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Option three excites me. Being somewhat of a sci fi geek and imagining a little war underneath the soil I am choosing Nematodes. Now while this seems to be a little pricey as a prevention and your not going to find it in any 'everything a pound' store, it ticks all the boxes for me. Nematodes are a microscopic species that kill slugs and can already be found in soil, just not in enough numbers. You buy them contained in a piece of clay then when watered down is applied by watering can. Nematodes are most effective in a new garden or on a allotment plot, of which mine is and in spring before planting out of which it is. With over 95% of slugs in a garden or on a plot underground eating seedlings, laying eggs and feeding on roots Nematodes are the ground troops for me.</div>
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That being said while the Nematodes are doing the work underground some hand picking is going to be inevitable and I am prepared for that just as much as I am turning soil. Although if I could find a way of building a hedgehog army and train them to act out commands, all the better. </div>
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needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-84168960291514790732013-04-22T23:36:00.001-07:002013-04-22T23:36:51.660-07:00The allotment gardeners tale: The garden shed<a href="http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.com/p/the-shed.html?spref=bl">The allotment gardeners tale: The garden shed</a>: Now getting my kids to pose for a decent photo may be the hardest job I've had so far on the allotment. Believe it or not th...needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-60141840964234330852013-04-18T13:08:00.000-07:002013-04-22T15:11:06.919-07:00Carrots away!I think I will be saying this a lot on this blog, but speaking to the people that have plots around you many of whom have probably been there for years, for tips, tricks and any general advice is a must for any beginner. Although this advice should be listened too and respected doesn't mean you have to adhere to it. A certain floor in my character after being told that no one has any real luck with carrots or cauliflower on the site, sees this as a challenge to grow some. While some of the plot holders have moaned about carrot fly ruining their crop and others about stunted carrots never really growing to their full potential and after a bit of research came up with a plan. <br />
As to the carrot fly and wishing to stay organic and not use any pesticide the only solution is to grow onions and garlic on either side of the crop. As to stunted carrots I can only assume that the soil has not been loose enough for their growth. And as luck would have it, left in the shed by the previous owners was a very rusty, but still usable, round metal sieve.<br />
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I then built a little raised bed, about the size of a standard skirting board height, out of some pallets left lying around.</div>
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I sifted the soil, taking out all stones and lumps, over the bed until it was full. I think I put four rows of 'Sutton seeds Autumn king 2' carrot seeds in. This variety seems to be the most available in the shops so I hoping I cant go wrong with them. If this works out I did see some very colourful purple carrots that I may try next year.</div>
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Carrot's away!<br />
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<br />needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3868335573910580003.post-27751405354695444852013-04-17T12:39:00.002-07:002013-04-17T15:10:54.906-07:00Nearly There!After a few days of reasonable weather and many hours of back breaking digging, I am almost there. Getting to know some of the people on the surrounding plots a bit better now and after weeks of watching them poised and ready to strike finally the frosts have gone and the potatoes are in. Not for me though. A day or two of turning, weeding and levelling out and then I'm there. <br />
I hadn't realised the amount of work its taken me just to get here and the only saving grace is, should in stay on this plot, ill never have to do it again. Still I know the family and I will reap the rewards of my labours come harvest as does the robin who watches me all day and feasts like a king every time I turn the ground on all manner of creatures. He certainly is braver from when I first introduced myself in January and has refined his diet to suit the days. No longer are the worms I threw him deemed worthy anymore he now dines on the bugs of the spring.<br />
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From this..........<br />
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to this! </div>
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needzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12295015061471535936noreply@blogger.com0