I thought I’d start a new blog about gardening and what better impetus to do so than getting an allotment? I’ve just taken over the tenancy of my own little patch of jungle on Earlsdon allotments in Coventry (see below).
Unlike a previous plot that I had on another site this one is actually pretty tame. Most of the weeds you can see are, in fact, spinach. Clearly the previous tenant had some sort of spinach fascination/fetish going on. The two surrounding plots were also his and were similarly covered in it!
There are also a few onions, the remains of some brassicas and a fairly healthy grass, nettle and comfrey plantation going on under the trees. If I ever wish to make an organic fertiliser to feed my spinach then I guess I’ve got a head start.
The trees themselves appear to be a mixture of apple and pear, grown from seed I assume with no sign of grafting to a rootstock. So whilst it’ll be nice to have fruit off of them within the first year, they could grow to be a nuisance.
Out of shot is a coldframe, a heap of rubbish and a number of fruit bushes, most of which are looking a bit unloved. Hopefully once I’ve cleared some space and started laying out some beds, the position of the greenhouse and shed and built the compost bins I’ll get on to moving the fruit bushes, planting those that are in pots at home and still have space for the various other bushes I have been offered.
So, my free time is now all spoken for I think. Alongside studying and tending the garden at the house it’s going to be a bit manic to start off with but I’m not complaining because I wanted this plot and it’s come to me within three months, rather than the years that many have to wait around the country. As an extra bonus it has no pernicious weeds that I can see and there are some free plants already on site.
If anyone can help me with a few bits and pieces I am looking for then I would be more than grateful. Currently I’m on the lookout for:
- Timber for bed edges
- Pallets for compost bins and a shed base
- Bricks, slabs and tiles for paths and edgings
- A shed and a greenhouse (on the off chance that you have a spare one lying around…)
- Water butts, or barrels etc that can be used to hold water
