[sainttoff]

Quick Question;


The ground is good nick and really no weeds or stones, its 15 m x 7m so was wondering how long would it take to get the ground right with a rotavator machine i am hiring?

Thanks

[michael brenock]

forget the rotavator and use a spade or fork and dig whatever area you require for immediate use. If you use a rotavator and it rains afterwards the soil will get into a very mucky state and will be difficult to cultivate later. By all means use the rotavator on a narrow strip and dig the remainder as you require it. Don't get rid of all the stones they are there to help drainage and structure.
best of luck with your allotment for next year.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[sainttoff]

Hi Thanks alot for that.

What would you plant now ?

So far i am looking at winter harding Onions, i have small turnip plants ready to transplant and thinking of some winter carrots to be ready for december.

Is there anything else, could i still plant parsnips?

[sainttoff]

If i do dig the whole allotment over the next 3 weeks should i cover the soil in the allotment that i dont plant it?

Thanks

[MacFistycuffs]

You could start spring cabbage from seed now or buy plants in September. There's still time to start some lettuce, radishes,white turnips and spinach. Autumn King would be a suitable carrot to sow now. Also garlic can be planted in October. Any area which you don't plant up now could be covered using a green manure like clover which could be sown until the end of this month or rye which can be sown until the end of october. These will prevent leeching of nutrients from the soil by rain during the winter and provide organic matter when you dig them back in during the spring.

[sirpsycho]

Have a read here on what to try and plant now:

http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/biodynamic-gardening-update-july-2010-6896

[sainttoff]

Just read on another forum that the land you have free over winter you should put either sea weed or cow manure on top of it around 5-6 inches deep and leave it there from September to March.


Have anyone ever heard about this before?

[sirpsycho]

Here's some more found in this forum:

Lettuce, turnips, carrots, peas, onions and beet spinach ::
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about1671.html

Spuds for Xmas! :: http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about1708.html

[ian]

i copied this from GIY page check them out for inspiring starving off the land stories...
1) Sow winter lettuce - many short light varieties such as Winter Gem

2) Sow Spring Cabbage - (varieties - Flower of Spring, April, Durham Early, Wheeler's Imperial).

3) You can also sow late carrots - Autumn King is a good variety.

4) If you didn't manage to sow leeks or winter cabbage this year, see can you get your hands on some plants/seedlings in garden centres. If you can get them you can plant them out now. Both of these veggies will provide great fresh greens in the winter months to supplement whatever veggies you have in storage.

5) You can still sow Oriental vegetables and possibly overwintering onions.

6) You can still sow quick maturing salad vegetables such as summer lettuce, radish, rocket, sorrel, chicory and fennel.

7) Turnips - yellow and white - great for a winter stew or roasted.

Sow Parsley even if you have some now - it tends to go to seed

9) Some people get excited about early potatoes for Christmas - have not tried it!

10) Spinach and chard - these are real beauties

11) Sow early peas - they will crop in October

Thanks to GIY Waterford's John Carney for this information.

[sirpsycho]

Just a quick reply to prove that late sown (end of July) mangetout / peas are well worth it. I got TONS of mangetout / peas since...

Photo from 19th Sep...