| My allotment in Liverpool |
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| HEALTHY EATING An allotment can provide most of the vegetables for a family of four, fresh and tasty with no air miles. The exercise and fresh air helps fitness and health. The recent downturn in the economy coupled with a greater interest in healthy living has led to a huge upswing in the numbers of people intersted in having an allotment and there is now a shortage of plots available. This will put pressure on local coucils to provide more plots. "A visit to the allotment each day keeps the doctor away" |
| VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GUIDE This is a guide to growing numerous varieties based on my experience in the North of England. Liverpool benefits from the influence of the Irish Sea and the Gulf Stream. This creates a milder climate than is found further west. I have always been one to experiment and am not afraid to plant earlier or later than recommended. I grow 43 varieties of vegetables and 13 fruits so it will be a work in progress for some time. The completed pages are listed at the sides, click on the picture to go to that page. |
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| 23rd June 2007 The shed is at the top left with a homemade greenhouse on the right. There are several beds with moveable frames containing squashes and melons. In the foreground are 18 two-year old asparagus plants from seed with a path between the rows, fruit trees and compost bins as seen below. Boundary posts in narrrow beds carry wire to attach soft fruit plants. |
| 18th March 2006 The site was neglected with the bottom third covered in old carpets that had weeds growing through them. This makes it very difficult to remove as they are "tied" to the ground. The adjoining plots were unworked and hence there were no boundaries marked. There is a worn path that was used by the plotholder between me and the riverside boundary. |
| HUGE QUANTITIES In June 2007 I managed to produce over 45 Kilograms (90lb) of prepared fruit and vegetables. It sounds a lot to eat, but have you ever kept a record of your families consumption? It included 15 Kg potatoes, 13 Kg strawberries, 3 Kg Raspberries, and the rest was onions, peas, beans, spinach, courgettes,carrots beetroot, and salad stuffs. |
| Oct 2006 with 113lb pumpkin |
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| By Dr George Cook |
| European Capital of Culture 2008 |
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| Runner Beans |
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| Sweet Corn |
| COMPOST BINS. I designed a modular compost bin system, each square can be moved from bin to bin as compost or horse manure rot down. |
| ROOF VIEW I took this phot in May looking down from the shed roof. A boundary of posts and wires is used for supporting fruit and vegetables. |
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| The photograph (above right) shows the plot and my shed. You can see the water board building that is visible in some of the above shots. Several tons of horse manure have been dumped on the plot and this is slowly being removed by other plot holders ORGANIC COTTAGE GARDEN OR POTAGER My plan is to create a garden that is enclosed by hedges and is completely organic with heritage vegetables flowers and trees. Hazel pole wigwams for beans and peas rather than bamboo will sprout from the centre of beds and there will be a pond to attract wildlife. It will be a complete contrast to the main plot with its raised beds and straight lines. I will use the old paving slabs shown in zigzags rather than end to end, and allow plants to tumble over the paths to reduce the impact of the slabs. Access will be via a single arched entrance and I anticipate that 2 years will have it looking good and 5 the target for the hedges to mature. |
| QUICK LINKS |
| A Productive hobby Keeping an allotment must not be regarded as a way to make a quick buck. The financial return worked out at an hourly rate is minimal and involves commitment and hard work. I estimate that 250 hours of work a year is necessary and the total value of the crop is possibly £500 to £1000, less expenses, as little as £2 an hour. |
| NEW PROJECT I have taken on a half plot (45x60ft) adjacent to mine. I hope to change it as details below. |
| See my plot in all its glory at the height of summer 2008. This is the third year of the plot. |
| The onions garlic, shallots, early potatoes and peas have already been cropped. |
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| External links |