Another crazy week!
I've been filming my one-hour special, which in a way is an extension to last year's, exploring the way people garden with extremely limited (or sometimes no) outside space at all. It's taken me around London, as well as Sheffield and Paris, from wonderful tapestries of green walls and roofs, to green architecture aimed at increasing biodiversity, reducing water run-off and cooling buildings.
I got up to the allotment last weekend for a few hours and will be there for three days over the next week or so to whip it into shape and get as much produce from it before I go on holiday. I was really pleased with myself as I brought back a box full of peas, French beans, potatoes, onions and a few strawberries from the plants I put in earlier in the year. It was similar to the organic box we used to get delivered - finally! The weeds are always a problem, especially between the garlic and onions, and around the edges of the plot. But they're certainly getting weaker as I keep pulling them. The mares tail really doesn't like the shade of the squashes, potatoes and courgettes. The soil has improved greatly, especially where I'm digging up the spuds. They are ideal as a first crop to break the earth, because you dig to put them in, dig again to earth them up and then dig once more when lifting. I've also decided to dig in some compost and weed again before replanting the area. I'm already looking forward to next year and thinking about where I'll put certain crops. The garlic, onions and shallots will certainly be moved and I may lift and replant the comfrey near the water butt and compost heap. Always learning, that's for sure! I know there's great concern about dodgy contaminated manure that people are putting on their gardens and allotments. Our producer Rosemary Edwards wants to feature it as a main part of the programme, so the Gardeners' World team are currently investigating. Watch this space, Joe.
© MMX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~52~RS~)
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Hi Joe
It's good when the produce is ready in the allotment. Deciding what to eat straight away, what might be best frozen or what can be made into jam or preserved in some other way.
Many thanks for your efforts regarding the contaminated manure.
Martyn
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Hi Joe, i just thought you may like to see this, http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N0m5Qt1ipro
George is on the same gardening website site, as me, and a friend who i ask questions, when i need help, or look on his blogsite,
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=N0m5Qt1ipro
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage
i only dream of having an allotment like this,
what do you think,
joe go and have a good look around at Georges allotment site with Gardener World,
all the best
windygale
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Can anyone tell me where/how I can get the help of the gardeners world team? I am 'growing it alone' - no help, and my wonderful garden has turned once again to jungle partly due to my refusal to use weed killer, or any poisons. I managed til the beginning of June, but now it has taken off and I cannot cope - boo hoo.....
There's a challenge here I know but I don't know where to begin. I scream with frustration watching Gardeners World as they plant out in wonderful soft soil hardly any ground elder/mares tails etc. etc. in sight. Me? I dig, I pull out thousands upon thousands of roots, but to no avail, there they are again just a few days later!
I have literally millions of snails, but nothing to eat them, and I can't bear to kill them. Maybe I should just give up and concrete it over but it would be a shame .....
South-west coast, dorset/devon border - would Carol Klein call in one day on her way home? One can only ask......
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Lymejude I would tell you of organic methods to solve your problems but I think you are not ready for the task. Since even organic methods require some sprays and killing slugs.
When you are ready the garden will be waiting until then cover the garden with weed barrier and secure it with sod staples.
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