For those of you who are fans of raised beds, or want to experiment with them, SCATS in Wickham are selling 6' boards (1.83m) for £1.61.
The same board 1.83 by 150mm by 25mm - are being sold by B&Q for £4.98.
Today I constructed my first raised bed on my plot - 36 feet long by 4 feet wide - total cost of the wood was £22.54 (14 boards) - (B&Q price £69.72). The stakes used to secure them came from the hedgerow after application of my billhook.
There is space for roughly six beds of this length on the plot (subject to sheds, greenhouses, seed beds etc).
I have an excellent book that I thoroughly recommend called "Growing Fruit and Vegetables on a Bed System" by Pauline Pears - £7.95 - ISBN 1-84448-012-7.
Happy to lend it out.
Thursday, 20 August 2009
pH Values
Today I conducted a series of tests across the plot to determine the pH values so as to inform allotment holders of any potential issues.
I did eight tests in a line from a point roughly 25 meters east of the chicken house to the old manure heap on Ed's plot under the yew trees.
pH values ranged from just over 6 near the chickens, 5.7-5.8 on my plot and then a tad over 6 on Eds plot.
I also tested the clay subsoil that exists (on my plot anyway not much more than a spit below the surface) and that checked out at a pH value of bang on 6.
This means ( if I have read my book correctly) that all is well and the pH values are fully controllable for whatever vegetable you care to grow by the addition of the relevant material.
For information the tests were conducted with a Tenax mini pH tester.
If you have any queries, please contact me.
I did eight tests in a line from a point roughly 25 meters east of the chicken house to the old manure heap on Ed's plot under the yew trees.
pH values ranged from just over 6 near the chickens, 5.7-5.8 on my plot and then a tad over 6 on Eds plot.
I also tested the clay subsoil that exists (on my plot anyway not much more than a spit below the surface) and that checked out at a pH value of bang on 6.
This means ( if I have read my book correctly) that all is well and the pH values are fully controllable for whatever vegetable you care to grow by the addition of the relevant material.
For information the tests were conducted with a Tenax mini pH tester.
If you have any queries, please contact me.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
August work
Looking good people i can see lots has been done.I hope to plant potatoes this weekend and make a path.Daves fruit cage looks good and the sheds are great.Still alot to do but the weathers not great.
Hope you can attend the BBQ it will be a good way to meet everybody.
Hope you can attend the BBQ it will be a good way to meet everybody.
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