New beginnings

Thank you to our mate Rich in the Lake District for sending us photographs of the newly formed community allotment in his area. They had a generous farmer donate them some land earlier this year and now the space is a work in progress (above and below). As Rich said “The allotment is in a very special spot and we are really enjoying having a go” (look at the scenery in the background!) and that’s what it’s all about. It’s all about just cracking on, learning by any mistakes, enjoying the many successes and going with the process. Go with the (gardening) flow!

The report so far from Rich: “We have set out loads of small plots and planted all kinds of stuff. Spuds, carrots, rhubarb, turnips and squash. We had lots of donations from others. Apparently there are 2 herds of deer in neighbouring fields but so far nothing has eaten our stuff, which is not only growing nicely, but also not dying! We have planted in about 75% of our huge patch and will be delighted if we manage to get a meal out of it in the end!” That’s great news Rich!

Also Rich told us that his neighbours saw a giant Stag in his back garden the other day. We’ve had reports of Wild Boars in gardens in France from Debby H and now Stags in the Lake District. Blimmin eck, crazy stuff.

We remember a few years ago going to an allotment not far from here and one of the allotmenteers (you can call them that can’t you?) had one big cosy shed with a dartboard, football table (and supposedly a bar but we’re not sure if we were being wound up) and a big BBQ grill outside. By all accounts it was in use as a clubhouse type socialising hotspot from 7am till well after sundown during summer (we’re sure it had outside lighting and fairy lights adorning it too). How the owners and their neighbours had time for actual allotment maintenance we don’t know.

As we reported at one of our Steroid Abuse nights many moons ago (above), allotments are fast becoming the new nightclubs/social clubs/pubs! And why not?

We look forward to more pictures of this horticultural development and to hear about how people have got on with it all there. Thanks again for sharing the pictures Rich!

An allotment like no other

Phil_2Looking on the web over the last few weeks, I discovered a great community gardening project in Berlin called Allmende Kontor. The collection of allotments, which are mostly in an experimental style, are housed on part of the disused Tempelhof Airport.Phil_1And this is what I’ve managed to gleam image-wise about the place from the internet. There’s some really good “out there” stuff going on, I mean, look at this mad runner bean igloo (above.) Brilliant, you could even kip in there!Phil_4If this was in the UK, the allotment committee would be well on your case and you’d be given your marching orders straight away I reckon, but look at the madness, it’s great!

Does anyone know anything more about the project? If so, we’d love to find out more! This site here has some great images from the project on it, it really is bonkers (in the best way possible!)

Or is there the equivalent of the above in the UK, if so we’d love to see pics of it too! Send your info about Allmende Kontor and/or photo’s of UK allotment madness to onedeckpete (at) gmail (dot) com.

***UPDATE*** We’ve just received an email from the folks at Allmende Kontor who told us that “the Igloo isn’t part of the Allmende-Garden and belongs to the Schillerkiez-Garten as there are three more garden projects around the area.” What, more mad gardening projects? Brilliant! More about Schillerkiez-Garten here.

All contributions gratefully accepted (no seed too small!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcboPg_8m8A

A big shout to Dr Strangedub for being the first contributor to our “Dub Gardeners of the world unite” feature last week. The next one will feature Med Dred from the sunny island of Cyprus with some nice veg (Ta to Dr Strangedub for the link up and Med Dred for saying yes). Watch this space!

You don’t have to be a dub gardener to send us your pics as we’re interested in all gardeners who like any sort of music! Just drop us an email to the address below with some images and a bit of text and we’ll do our best to feature it (windowsill, allotment or whatever you have).

We’re also on the look out for any companies who want to send us seeds, plants, even gadgets which if we like, we’ll give an honest review and pass the word on to all. If you are a company/nursery and want to send us something drop us an email to onedeckpete@gmail.com

Read it in books

The perfect plot (starting an allotment from scratch) – Kim Sayer – Simon & Schuster 2012

The other week I picked up this great book in Holborn Library. It’s a mine of information following an allotment in Devon from a germ of an idea, how it was set up (with advice on how to set one up yourself, getting grants etc) to how it is progressing now. Loads of information on the tools you need, soil cultivation, crop rotation, what to do season by season, pest control and interviews with everyone involved. A great read if you’ve just got an allotment, want to set one up or just want to grow stuff in your back garden. One of the main guys even uses the biodynamic method too, excellent!

Remember if you haven’t got the cash to spend on gardening books join your local library as it costs nowt (and don’t forget the web either) and if you work in a different town/borough join the one there too as that’ll give your more choice. I’ve library membership for three London boroughs and I don’t think you have to work or live in that borough to join one.

On Friday night I saw Goldie talking to Alan Titchmarsh on the telly at Chelsea about his love of Acers. I reckon he might be the next new breed of TV gardener with his tatt’s and gold teeth. What happened to the old percy thrower stereotype in their tweed jacket with leather patches on the elbows wearing a clean shirt and tie while demonstrating “double digging”? Times are a changing indeed!

I’ve just noticed some flower buds forming on the super early spuds (below) that were originally started off on the homemade cold frame which are now flying ahead! The ones I put in a month or so ago are starting to get going now as well. Spuds I love em!

Jobs done this week: Weeding (just knock them off with a sharp hoe and leave them to shrivel up in this hot weather), mowing the lawn (it does appreciate a weekly cut), staking up tomato plants, tying back passion flower, clematis and sweet peas and giving the garden a good old water in the evening (I do it with using a bucket, it takes me ages but I like it as it gives me some quiet time on me own). Sowed outdoors this week: Dwarf french beans (nice one Will!), climbing french beans, cut and come again lettuce, borage, lemon balm, sunflowers and night scented stock.