jean lamb, Vegetable( half ) allotment (DT4)

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Styles: Coastal, Allotment or vegetable plot, Organic

Soil types: Clay

Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive

Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral

Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Aspect: North, East, West

Exposure: Exposed, Sheltered

Hardiness: Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)

This is my vegetable half of my allotment where I have terraced the north-east facing sloping site into 1.2m beds. The soil is clay to which I've added lots of homemade compost and am aiming for a no-dig approach, eventually! I add flowers at the end of the terraces to encourage insects and interest. There are lots of pests and diseases around - it seems an allotment site is open house to all ! I try to provide most of our vegetables through out the year without adding chemicals! Rotation is aimed for and carried out with the odd hiccup! I find "growin' my own" very fulfilling, I just love being out there with my hands in the soil! I try something new each year! This year I have a packet of summer squashes. I enjoy my various winter squashes. Last year a lotti neighbour introduced me to New Zealand Spinach-I shall be growing it again this year! Roll on warmer weather!

jean lamb's garden plan

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Plants in jean lamb's garden

Pisum sativum 'Feltham First' (Pea 'Feltham First')

Allium cepa var. aggregatum 'Jermor' (Shallot 'Jermor')

Pyrus communis 'Williams' Bon Chretien' (Pear 'Williams' Bon Chretien')

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Plants jean lamb wants

There are no plants in the wish list for this garden.

jean lamb

About me
My allotment is now my garden having moved into a flat. The flats gardens are tended by me but I desperately try not to think of them as mine! The allotment provides most of my vegetables, fruit and communication with nature. I try to grow organically. Feeding the soil is my approach. As 'maturity' comes to me I realise I shall have limited digging ability so am aiming for a no dig regime. The soil was heavy clay when I took over 6 years ago but it has greatly improved-I'm relieved to say! My mantra is "never mind there's always next year!" when crops and/or weather are disappointing! Talking to the long time allotment tenders you can grow something successfully 10 years in a row and do the same again and then have a failure in the 11th year! Nature is always surprising and challenging. The thrill of eating a meal mainly home grown takes some beating! I LOVE it!

Gardening expertise
Very Keen

Biggest gardening accomplishments
Taming a long time unused allotment into a productive, hopefully attractive plot.

Biggest gardening frustrations
blight on tomatoes and slugs and snails!

The gardening project I am currently working on
building a fruit cage and terracing my plot/helping friend redesign her garden