Allotments

[Kymmy]

Reminds me when I was 5 just before we emigrated and lived in W-S-M, the garden backed onto the railway tracks and we used to go up/down them raiding all the strawberrys and other fruit growing on the back fences

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Reminds me when I was 5 just before we emigrated and lived in W-S-M, the garden backed onto the railway tracks and we used to go up/down them raiding all the strawberrys and other fruit growing on the back fences

Sounds like fun

[Kymmy]

We just got delivery of some Kentish Cob nut whips (40-60cm size), loads of branches and shoots on them and it came with a few free gifts (free delivery, free pear bush which looks about 3 years old and a load of free flower seeds)

So I've just gotta give a big thumbs up to Ashridge Trees in Somerset for a great service and good products.

[Taf]

Mmmmm cob nut hedging.... nom nom nom

[Kymmy]

Originally Posted by Taf

Mmmmm cob nut hedging.... nom nom nom

You sound like the horses in our field where we have a hazlenut hedge

Seeds are doing well here, tomatoes are just starting to sprout.. the two lots of sweetcorn (early and a late) have had 100% germination, all the pumpkins/squash are doing well including some seeds I scrounged from a rather nice squat pumpkin from Lidl last year. Potatoes have been chitted and just about to go in, need to also put in a row each of carrots and beetroot (oh gawd I could live off beetrot!!!).

Soft fruit has now taken up half the allotment, between grapes (red & white) strawberries, reb/black currents, loganberries, tayberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi and red/green goosberries we'll end up looking like a berry!!!

This has been in the news a lot lately... http://www.hosepipeban.org.uk/2012/0...rictions-2012/
I was wondering how you would go about watering your allotments in the event that a nationwide ban may be imminent (I imagine that the Welsh will not be affected ). I assume it is stored water ?
A neighbour of mine who has an allotment was discussing it today, normally he uses a stand pipe provided, but also suggested it might get turned off if the ban goes ahead.

I am not sure what the rules are regarding watering of allotments, and don't think he is either

[Kymmy]

We have an IBC tank for storage with plans of running rainwater into it from a friends roof who lives just next to our plot, but the hosepipe ban shouldn't effect watering cans (we're lucky as the tap is right next to ours) so the standpipe should be left on..

[Tinky]

After Mr T dug over our miniscule veggy patch, I carefully planted rows of beetroots, carrots and raddishes. Next day went out and cats had been and scratched all over the place. Anyone got foolproof methods of cat poo prevention please?

[Kymmy]

Net it.. Just grab some netting/bamboo poles from poundland and use that, otherwise sprinkle some hot chili powder or ground pepper over the area.

---------- Post added at 10:22 ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 ----------

Was up our allotment the other day just getting in the last of the potatoes, so what's gone in spud wise is as follows

1st Earlies:

10 Milo Sarpo

20 Rocket

2nd Earlies:

20 International Kidneys (aka Jersey Royals)

Main Crop:

20 King Edward

20 Desiree

Also got the usual beetroot, carrot, parsnip, beans, peas, 2 lots of sweetcorn (early/late) and the squash/pumpkins are ready to be planted out once there's no more frost (butternut, gem, rouge, sweetdumpling..etc..)

[Tinky]

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Net it.. Just grab some netting/bamboo poles from poundland and use that, otherwise sprinkle some hot chili powder or ground pepper over the area.

---------- Post added at 10:22 ---------- Previous post was at 10:14 ----------

Was up our allotment the other day just getting in the last of the potatoes, so what's gone in spud wise is as follows

1st Earlies:

10 Milo Sarpo

20 Rocket

2nd Earlies:

20 International Kidneys (aka Jersey Royals)

Main Crop:

20 King Edward

20 Desiree

Also got the usual beetroot, carrot, parsnip, beans, peas, 2 lots of sweetcorn (early/late) and the squash/pumpkins are ready to be planted out once there's no more frost (butternut, gem, rouge, sweetdumpling..etc..)

Cheers for that Kymmy, you are certainly into the allotment business. Chilli powder? What happens when it rains does it still work? I planted some potatoes, don't know what type but they are coming up!

[Tinky]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

You could try some Scaredy cat plants I've not tried these myself but might be worth a punt. My bedding plant raised beds I use carpet tack strips (painted black) and pea sticks to help keep the felines off.

Yes Heero somebody did tell me about these plants which apparently do work. But they are quite pricey and I would need so many, for borders etc, so I tried Gooogling for seeds but no joy!

[danielf]

www.deteracat.co.uk

I like the 'scarecrow'

http://www.deteracat.co.uk/scarecrow_water_jet_pack.htm

The ultrasonic cat deterrent doesn't look bad either at £28 +VAT

[Kymmy]

Family Bargains had Owl statues in stock which had a movement sensor in them, made an owl type noise whenever it was set off..

[Kymmy]

Originally Posted by Tinky

Cheers for that Kymmy, you are certainly into the allotment business. Chilli powder? What happens when it rains does it still work? I planted some potatoes, don't know what type but they are coming up!

Chilli/pepper will eventually wash away, but after a few re-applies the cats will realize not to go near it..

[Taf]

I've tried all the commercial products: sprays, granules, scarers, ultrasonics... and the only thing that seems to work is netting over the soil... and a Megablaster water pistol...

I did borrow a water sprinkler that sprayed the intruders for a few seconds, but it went though PP9 batteries by the bucketload.... though it did seem to work.

The cat deterrent plant is great, and easy to grow, though the smell is atrocious.