ALLOTMENT 2010
Here are a few shots of my allotment this year. I’ve been so busy that I’ve had very little time to update my web page to any degree. More will come later in the year as the pace of growing, bottling, preserving slows down and my landscape project for the back garden is finally finished off.
For the first time this year we have kept an account of the amount of produce (eggs not included) and worked out it’s value for the same produce that can be bought at the local super market. We have done the same for any produce we have processed eg. that turned into jam or wine. You can see this as a PDF HERE. I will periodically update this document as the season rolls on. We find it interesting and just goes to show what can be a achieved with, especially this year, little effort. (I’ve been concentrating on the landscaping so kept things simple) We also have a small amount of land at home which is producing Onions etc., courgettes, beetroot, carrots and there’s also the glass house. The one thing that has impressed me most is the Tumbler tomato which I have growing in two hanging baskets. A profusion of fruit and very tasty. The only problems being is that they are very thirsty (difficult to keep watered if you’re at work all day) and they weigh a great deal. The baskets need to have wire reinforced chains.
Above: The general view of our allotment with the winter cabbages, below left, and one of the Tumbler tomato hanging basket at home above the decking. They are well worth growing even in the smallest of back yards or on a balcony.
Below: In front are the potatoes (British Queen and Picasso), runner and French beans growing up their wigwams (White lady and Cobra) and broad bean (Sutton) beyond.
Above: Globe artichokes (Green Glob) and below the fruit cage with red currants, black currants and gooseberries. Very good harvest this year and the best produce for value. The currants from four bushes alone were worth close to £200.
Above: The raspberries (Glen Moy - early season, Glen Ample - late season and Joan J - late season). At the time of writing this the Glen Ample have just finished and the Joan J have just started fruiting. It looks like we shall have a glut of the late season fruit. None will be wasted, be assured!
Below: The potatoes and the sweet corn beyond (lark and Swift). Under the corn is pumpkins and squash (Paintball and Festival.)
Above: All of our gooseberries harvested. (Inherited varieties from the previous allotment owner. Some Japanese but I think the yellow variety is Invicta.) Snuggling in between is a tub of raspberries.
Below: Our decking (made from pallets) and pergola with the Fuggles hop climbing up the far side.
Above: Kale (Redbor) and swede (Magres) and a great bush of Dill! The seat on the decking is used buy all the neighbouring allotmenteers. Indeed, sometimes I have to stand because there’s no room!
Below: Just a small sample of our processed produce.
Updated: Thursday, 12 August 2010
