My first blog...
- 22 Apr 08, 05:35 PM
This is my first blog ever, and I'm tempted to try and squeeze everything that I've been up to recently, but I may be here some time! I'll be posting (I think that's the right blogging term?) on a regular basis - weekly if possible, including a little ranting every now and then, but if I don't make it it's probably because the allotment is demanding more of my time than planned! Its official - I love it and have become obsessed with it. I lie in bed at night worrying about my raspberries and wondering if my potatoes are properly chitted. I know my family love it too. We were up there just yesterday and none of us wanted to come home.
I can't quite believe the controversy it's created. Am I a real allotmenteer? (Well no, obviously I've just started, but as with most things you've got to start somewhere or you could just sit on the sofa all your life) Why did I rotivate? (There was simply NO OTHER WAY - unless I just wanted to dig and dig huge clumps of clay and weeds all year long- no thanks. I'm getting somewhere and am convinced it was the right thing to do, the soils getting better and at least I'll have some produce this year). Why doesn't he just use a weed killer like many would? (Because I really don't want to use chemicals on my plot, but haven't ruled them out as an absolute 'Last Resort'- now that may be seen as a little controversial!). Bet he didn't really get all that timber for free and only got it 'cos he's with the BBC? Oh yes he did and oh no it isn't. I could get loads more if I sniffed about a bit more- people are chucking it away all over the place. And finally what are those bloomin' triangles all about?!!! (I'm not even going there)
Blimey- you'd have thought I'd have said or done something really controversial. Look, I know that gardeners are passionate people, but we all have our own preferred ways of doing things. I've been gardening professionally since I left school so do know what I'm doing when it comes to the practical side of gardening including soil preparation. I know when and where to focus any efforts for best results and when and when not take any short cuts. Sure, I don't know much about fruit and veg growing, but obviously do know how to nurture plants. What I really love is the way in which I'm learning. I was never one for a formal educational approach, so the informal, fun way of picking things up as you go in the allotment is perfect. The other plot holders have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to show or even help you if you're a first timer. Once I've been shown something and have done it for myself I'll never forget it.
Anyway- till next time...........
Joe
Blimey- you'd have thought I'd have said or done something really controversial. Look, I know that gardeners are passionate people, but we all have our own preferred ways of doing things. I've been gardening professionally since I left school so do know what I'm doing when it comes to the practical side of gardening including soil preparation. I know when and where to focus any efforts for best results and when and when not take any short cuts. Sure, I don't know much about fruit and veg growing, but obviously do know how to nurture plants. What I really love is the way in which I'm learning. I was never one for a formal educational approach, so the informal, fun way of picking things up as you go in the allotment is perfect. The other plot holders have a wealth of knowledge and are happy to show or even help you if you're a first timer. Once I've been shown something and have done it for myself I'll never forget it.
Anyway- till next time...........
Joe
CommentsSign in
You need to sign in to contribute to this page. If you're new to BBC Blogs, creating your membership is quick and easy.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't. "
Eleanor Roosevelt
Follow your heart Joe it is always the best journey. I applaud your attempt at going chemical-free if it's at all feasible. Rock on!
MLx
Complain about this comment
Joe!
An old Chinese proverb!
When your enemy tells you, You! are Wrong.
You are most likely RIGHT!
When your friend tells you you are Wrong.
You are most likely Wrong.
Non of us are original thinkers,when a fellow allotmenteer gives free advice, take it gladly!
Viewers who watch GW want you to succeed, not fail.
Best of luck!
Complain about this comment
Welcome to blogging, Joe. I'm in my third year of garden blogging and it has become seriously addictive. You find yourself composing your next blog piece in your head as you admire your handiwork or endure a setback. If you can post pictures to your blog, it's even better.
BTW - lots of people unconnected with the message board have told me they are enjoying your allotment spot, so no need to feel picked on. Happy veg growing....
Complain about this comment
Wishing JW and his family loads of happy times on their new allotment.
qol.
Complain about this comment
Wishing JS and his family loads of happy times on their new allotment.
qol.
Complain about this comment
Keep up the good work Joe! I don't know how you manage to find the time to get an allotment plot up and running from scratch! My little garden veg patch is hard enough to keep on top of at the best of times. Once the pests start to inhabit your plants will you be using totally organic means to get rid of them or will GW allow you to use some products?
Complain about this comment
Looking forward to seeing more about the allotment.
In the last few years GW has moved away from the traditional format which actually showed you how to do practical things in the garden, so its good to watch your work. I'm just about to start a new allotment myself, so I will be watching with interest.
Good luck with it!
Complain about this comment
Joe
I am thoroughly enjoying your Allotment pieces and I hope you and your family enjoy all your hardwork and endeavours.
As for blogging, very brave of you as you will get some people who will moan no matter what and blimey do they moan.
Can I point you to 'My Folia' as a resource to keep records of your journey into allotmeenteering.
Complain about this comment
I applaud your shaped beds Joe. I remember seeing a beautiful potager garden a couple of years ago (sorry can't recall where it was) Not only was it colourful, pretty and ordered but entirely edible as well.
As with all gardens, if it pleases the gardener, that's good, if it pleases someone else,that's even better!
I'm looking forward to seeing the allotment develop and the produce it will yield.
It's a great idea to see a project like this from inspiration to perspiration.
Complain about this comment
Joe, take no notice of the gardening as punishment brigade. All sorts of different ways work and different people do things different ways - thats whats so great about gardening. I'm enjoying the GW lottie slot and I like the way you're brave enough to put it into context by showing us a bit about your family life. Last year was my first growing veg seriously and its the most rewarding thing I've done in the last 10 years.
Caz
Complain about this comment
Joe, just do as you think. There is always someone to disagree. You will really enjoy the adventure of growing your own. My family used to love coming to the allotment with me when they were younger and the taste of the food is far superior to anything bought in the supermarker in my opinion. Good luck, keep up the good work.
Complain about this comment
Hi Joe, we are loving the allotment bits, I think a lot of the criticism is because people assume that because you are a professional gardener you should know everything, which is just silly!
Keep up the good work and learn as you go as we all did.
Complain about this comment
Hi Joe,
I saw your allotment for the first time today, so I don't know what all the stir was about.
I was watching with interest and felt a little jealous for not having an allotment.
It is great to have the whole family involved and when you will be eating your produce, you will all be proud.
I was watching the program together with my youngest daughter (15) and we were discussing if we would grow some vegs again in our city garden, after last years' disaster. The answer is Yes!
Thanks for giving us that itchy - we want to grow vegs - feeling.
Anneliesje
Complain about this comment
Joe,
Enjoy your part on the GW programme very much.
I think progress of the plot will be come necessary viewing for all us gardeners.
Hopefully programmes like yours will convince local councils throughout the UK to put more land aside for allotment gardening.
Good luck with the weeds .. don't discount "Roundup"
Cheers
Complain about this comment
My partner, 8yr old son and I thoroughly enjoy watching your allotment 'bites'.
It has stimulated our son to help more and create his own beds at one of our two allotments, which we share with a couple and their two children, who have equally been stimulated by your project. This is probably because we can easily relate to how difficult it is to start an allotment.
Jerusalem artichokes. Last year I bought about 8 tubers from Robinsons to try. I planted 5 in my vegetable plot at home and 5 in a bed at the top of our allotment, with 5 globe artichokes, to act as a windbreak to the allotment.
Very little grew under them, which was great. It was suggested that each plant might yield about 17 tubers. At the allotment, one plant blew down in high winds. The artichokes at home produced about 10 tubers between them; of the four tubers at the allotment, I harvested two in September and two in late November - yield, over 250 tubers, of various sizes! Would you like some!!
Complain about this comment
I've read so much about these traingular beds - don't have a telly and can't find any photos on line. Would love to see some photos of the now infamours traingles!!
Complain about this comment
Joe - great allotment - nice to see the experimentation - what was that Chinese berry bush you were planting again - can't see details on the BBC GW site ?
Complain about this comment
Well done Joe
This is by far the best project that's on gardener's world. I have just taken over half of my friend's allotment. A smaller 1/2 plot - so I have a 1/4 plot - not quite on your project's scale! However I can see it will be addictive because its the best bit of gardening (seed sowing) and eating what you grow. Social too....all those tips that the everyone offers you.
Looking forward to seeing how your plot develops on the TV and in your blog. Great idea to show that growing veg really can be a family activity. I love the pallet decking and the shed. They demonstrate that things do not have to cost a lot to be good.
Complain about this comment
I think you are doing a great job . You make me smile when I see you going through the same problems I've been through.
I have an allotment and like everyone else have problems with crouch grass. I have been slowly weeding, so I am interested to see how rotovating works.
Is Gardeners World repeated and if not WHY NOT it is a great programme
Complain about this comment
Best of luck with the allotment Joe! Vegetable growing is addictive, but in a good way. Looking forward to reading your blog over the coming months.
Complain about this comment
well done joe great stuff and i love your diamonds and triangles they look fab.cant wait to see everything growing and being picked good luck mavoman
Complain about this comment
Well done on the blog Joe and best of luck with the plot!
All plots are as diverse as the plot holders, and so they should be!
The difficult part for you is the fact that you have the gardening nations eyes upon you.
Some will be with you and some won't.
Tell it as it is for you, and tell it from the heart.
The highs and the lows....
"good luck Joe"
Complain about this comment
Hi Joe,
I remember you saying "it's my allotment and I can do what I like."
Our allotment committee in Leeds has recently introduced new rules which say in effect "if the committee doesn't like the look of your plot they will terminate your tenancy!"
If that wasn't bad enough "if you break the rules your tenancy will be automatically terminated." there are many other threats of instant or automatic termination which as I understand it are against the Allotments Act 1950 and therefore illegal!
I have arranged legal advice to confirm that these idiots are not entitled to do this!
Meanwhile if anyone has any similar experiences or can offer any advice I'd be pleased to hear from you.
Complain about this comment
Joe.
I've waited 10 years, and just got my allotment in North London. I'm at the digging stage, and wondered if you could tell me what the pellets were that you added to the soil to improve it? I am planning on Manure too but in the autumn.
Peter
Complain about this comment
Go on Joe!!
I've just taken on an allotment near my hometown in South Herts. Its got a whacking great oak tree in it and is currently a ocean of weeds.
I have to say watching you on the TV perked up my long, back of the mind feeling to get a piece of land to grow on.
* Hire strimmer tomorrow
* Spend rest of year preparing the ground (well a while anyway!)
*Then get planning :)
As for the freebies and bargains, I agree with you, they are all there if you look hard enough! My dads been pulling wood from skips for years, now we have somewhere to use it all lol!!
Good luck with the allotment and the blog Joe!
Complain about this comment
Hi there Joe,
It is great to get a discussion going on what you are doing at your allotment. However, taking the viewers on your journey with you is a great way to go. I don?t for one minute, as the programme showed tonight, think it will all go to plan but that is the true value of what you are doing. You will have to make decisions on the way and perhaps some may disagree with you but that is all good. This is your experience and you are sharing it which gives a completely different angle to it :-D
I am absolutely certain that the enthusiasm you are showing with this project will inspire many people to give it a try ? now that is a result!
I hope you also enjoy updating your blog too ? I agree a few photos would be a great addition. There are many people browsing blogs that may not catch the programme coverage. You have a huge audience with your blog too :-D
I have been writing a gardenwatch blog for 18 months now about the plants, birds and wildlife in my small Scottish garden. I am enthusiastic about this too and have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my experience of the birds and wildlife which has been new to me too. It is great to get feedback and I am sure you will get plenty here!
Wishing you success and good food :-D
Shirl
Complain about this comment
Joe,
2 years ago i started my allotment and can't believe what i've achieved!!!!
Last year i also built raised beds, (boring squares!) but all for free, i called into my local developer and asked for the content of their skip, they were all to pleased to give it away as each skip cost them £500 to empty!
It didn't stop there i called in a few weeks later and collected enough wood for a shed and fruit cage!!!!!
I guest what i'm trying to say is there is plenty of free things out there for all (not just for those on tv) its just about being resourceful.
Keep up the good work your an inspiration too all!!!!
Complain about this comment
Joe,
I eagerly await the visual trip to your allotment each week (sad I know). The reason being that you have exactly mirrored my start 4 years ago.
My allotment was an overgrown jungle which I hacked back and rotorvated over, only to find it completly covered in horse (mares) tail. Spent as much time there as possible, dragging the wife and two kids over to help(?). The only difference being my horse-tail comes back stronger every year and I can never see any on yours. I don't know how you've managed it but well done. Four years later it's still as prolific as ever and after a long day weeding it out I've been known to have nightmares about it! Keep up the good work; don't know how you find the time.
On a slightly different note, a few years ago, I wrote a poem (Yawn!) about my allotment. Think it must have been some sort of therapy. I'll add it below. Don't worry, I'm not some sort of weirdo who will be sending my worn welly sock through the post to you.
Allotment
Cross paths guide you in between,
The plots of earth with edges clean,
Clipped twice a week with oiled shears,
Defining boundaries over years.
Volcanoes of muck silently steam,
Ignited nostrils drip and gleam,
In autumnal light low and gold,
Dormant muscles awake to hold,
Wooden handles worn smooth through time,
By sand paper hands with nuckles defined.
Knowledge and wisdom is given freely,
From green fingered shamen who often see me,
Stuggling with weeds and tainted ground,
Apprentice gardener, frustrated and frowned.
The curve arcs shallow and long,
Learning all before the gurus have gone,
For tea, for a rest, to a better place,
Making it the best, just to save face.
© 2007
Darren
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS