This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
Magpie wrote:I haven't bothered with digging potato beds, I just lay down newspaper (even over lawn/grass whatever) then add a layer of compost, pop your spuds on top, and cover with straw. By the time the newspsper has rotted, the grass or weeds have dies, making even more nutrients for the spuds. The spuds end up doing the digging for you! A great way of clearing weeds.
Wow - no dig spuds! Am definitely going to try that!
No worries! 8)
I have to admit it's not my idea, though, thanks to Peter Cundall, from Australia's 'Gardening Australia' programme and magazine. One of the many things I miss from my time there...
Magpie - you're a genius - what a simple way to grow without breaking yr back clearing weeds - newpaper, compost and some straw. What else will work with that system? I have just today bought some lettuce, spring onion, cabbage and carrot seeds which I will be sticking in the ground over the next week.
I know with the lettuce you are supposed to sprinkle them on the top of the surface of the soil and leave for a few hours before covering them. The rest are a new area for me...
So, with the use of newspaper to keep weeds down, not being too scientific about the lettuce seeds, pah, this allotment is easy stuff!!!
Hang on, the men in the white coats are here....byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Years ago, someone told me that you can plant potatoes in a barrel - put a few inches of soil in the bottom of a barrel, plant a few potatoes in it. When the leaves start to appear, cover them with more soil. Repeat this until you get to the top of the barrel, by which time you will have a barrel full of spuds.
I've never tried it, and wonder how the plant can photosynthesise enough energy to grow anything if you keep covering it over. However, a web search produced loads of results, like this: www.i4at.org/lib2/garden.htm
Cheddarpaul, unfortunately, because of the straw on top of the compost, you can't really use this method with seeds. I grow my seedlings in pots, then transplant them, making a little pocket through the straw into the compost for them.
I tried cheating once, skimping with the compost, and making holes in the newspaper through to the soil, but the weeds desperately sought the light and took over the seedlings. So don't do that!
I have tried the spuds in the tyre thing and haven't had a lot of success with it, they are OK for a while then keel over and kark it. I think the trick is having good stuff to put in on top the spuds as they grow, I tried soil and it may have been too heavy, perhaps compost is the go, if you can get enough.
I think the trick is having good stuff to put in on top the spuds as they grow, I tried soil and it may have been too heavy, perhaps compost is the go, if you can get enough.