[bluebellParticipant]

Thanks Charles. Popped up for a quick look this evening and although they have stopped growing they are still looking well despite a frost last night

[bluebellParticipant]

Got them in at 30 inches each way, which hopefully will be enough. as usual the compost did not go as far as I had expected, probably a good 2 inches rather than 3 but I’m sure I can top that up at a later date?
Pleased to see little shoots popping up already, although I hope they don’t suffer too much from this weeks frosts.
Thanks for your help.

[bluebellParticipant]

Thanks Tris and Charles
Not sure I can quite manage 3×3 foot but will plant as far apart as the space reasonably allows (once I decide which bed! it is bothering me more because it is a long term thing!).

Looking forward to a summer spent watering them (NOT!). Since water is hard to come by on our plots in summer as pressure falls to zero if someone else is using it. So it will either be midnight watering’s or it may influence the decision as to bed and encourage me to plant in the bed closet to my water butts, even if it is a little shaded.

[bluebellParticipant]

it gave me approximately a 5 cm covering, but as you say I’m not starting out. However you do say that you are using card so 4 inches (10 cm) should be sufficient even if you want to start growing straight away. Also don’t forget that there will be paths in this area presumably that will not need so much if any mulch.

[bluebellParticipant]

Hi Talia Are you sure about those calculations? I have 325 sq meters of allotment (15 rods) approximately and 2 cubic meters of compost gave me a dressing on around 250 sq meters. So if you are using card twice that much would give enough, even 3 times would only be 6 cubic meters at around £75 per bag delivered ( depending where you are but cheaper for a loose lorry load) that is well under £1000.

If you are not sure perhaps order a load and see how far it goes?

[bluebellParticipant]

Hi Elisiv Sounds like an exciting project.

I have grown using this method for 5 years now and have never measured the PH or nitrogen levels of my compost as I believe that the plants will seek out what they require in terms of nitrogen and that the PH only really matters to a very few plants such as blueberries (even they appear to grow quite well in a neutral soil).

Carrots and similar root very well through card as it disintegrates. Only thing I ever had trouble with was when growing icicle radish in a deep bag, they got so long they started pushing up out of the soil.

[bluebellParticipant]

Hi Shaun I have the Agralan (envirofleece) which is 30gsm and miles better in every way than the stuff you get in most garden centers, which barely does one season. I’m just hoping that the mice haven’t been able to get to mine – guess I had better check before I need it 🙂

[bluebellParticipant]

Hi Liz I have the thermal one but I believe either are fine. I did push the boat out as the extras were not that expensive compared to the rest – so have storm braces, extra thick poles, crop bars etc but not intending to buy anything else apart form a new cover at some point in the distant future 😀

[bluebellParticipant]

Mine was from First tunnels. Top tip would be to go for the biggest possible doors for ventilation purposes if you want to grow in it.

[bluebellParticipant]

John I have just finished my first season with a 20 x 12 foot tunnel. I have half mesh sliding doors,(for which I have covered frames to keep a bit warmer in winter ) In the warmest periods I have the doors open and have net curtains to keep animals out, that are secured top and bottom. I give a thorough watering once a week and then what I can once or twice during the week as work commitments allow. For me the main challenge is getting up there at times that no one else will be watering as the water pressure all but disappears if other allotmenteers are watering. I do have 3 water butts as a back up plan if I’m really short of time and cannot use the hose 🙂
Otherwise there is generally less weeding but you will need extra time for picking and tying in etc.

[bluebellParticipant]

Perhaps you should think more bucket and spade? Also keep an eye out in pound stores and similar – although both are more likely to have stock in summer. Alternatively Ebay / amazon?

[bluebellParticipant]

I grow my gooseberries as a fan, which makes them much less painful to pick

[bluebellParticipant]

A small word of warning – if left in situ they form a very dense clump as a farmer friend discovered when he tried to put a plough through a 5 year established clump and said it was like trying to plough concrete!

[bluebellParticipant]

All I can say Andy is I have never bothered, but we are within sight of chalk downs so it probably wouldn’t make much difference 😀

[bluebellParticipant]

You can replant these.
I think it is caused when they don’t get cold enough over winter.

[Author]

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