After two months of considering if it is worth revisiting plot62 I've decided it is and will give veg growing another go in 2008. Its been a tough decision because I had a lot of effort wasted and the thought of a flood happening again is very disheartening. However, sowing, planting and watching plants grow was good fun and I rather quite like it so here we go - last chance saloon!
I actually visited the plot a month ago to see what damage the flood had really done and it was quite devastated. Everything had gone, including the sweetcorn I thought would survive, but with one exception - beetroot. Incredibly this plant survived being drowned for over eight days.
Anyway I'll harvest this crop then start from scratch. I've plans to arrange the plot much better than the design it evolved into and probably reduce the plot size. I'm going to make specific beds rather than one huge strip and have grass paths between for ease of use and weed suppressant. Unfortunately I've got a big job ahead digging up the horsetail weed that been rampant in some sections. It seems to have a significant resistance to my weedkiller product so hard work it is. As a list to get me started here are some of the lessons learned from this year:
- Don't use a rotovator. Dig by hand and remove the weed roots as you go.
- Buy proper seed potatoes from a reputable supplier.
- Don't bother with onions, beetroot or swede because I don't particularly want to eat them!
- Plant early and before packets and books suggest.
- Six courgette plants is quite a lot!
- Sixteen giant pumpkin plants is bordering on ridiculous!
- Sieve the soil where I want to grow carrots and parsnips to prevent forking.
- Grow far more peas, beans and salad and from much earlier in the year.
- Maybe try some fruit like strawberries.
- Build and use a compost bin or two!
As for the rest of my growing exploits the good news is I had a second great year with my greenhouse. I've had hundreds of cherry tomatoes and plenty of cucumbers. Sadly the season has ended now and we're back to buying from the supermarket. Still it was superb and come March I'll be sowing gardeners delight and marketmore once again!
Thanks for reading and I'll post back again once the resurrected plot starts to come together...
