How No Dig with Karl & Max Was Born

When your name comes up on the allotment waiting list, you may imagine a plot of neat rows of vegetables left by the previous tenants. However, allotments are often left untended for a few months before being passed on, and are therefore rarely in good shape by the time you reach the top of the list.
Allotment plots can quickly be consumed by weeds such as couch grass and bindweed, while those left for over a year can be smothered in nettles and brambles. Other factors to consider are the aspect of the plot – does it get plenty of sun or is it shaded by trees? And does it have a shed and nearby access to water? If not, it’s worth asking if other options are available – often site holders allocate a few plots at a time and there maybe several to choose from. While it’s in the best interests of the allotment site manager to allocate the worst plot on site, it’s in your best interests to take on something that’s realistically manageable, has plenty of light to grow sun-loving crops, a shed and access to water. Don’t be afraid to ask for something better.

The Journey Begins

2nd May 2020

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter.

You Feeling Lucky Punk ‼️

6th June 2020

When we first acquired our plot it was head high in weeds including, a thicket of brambles and other prickly plants. A professional Bushcutter was needed, and after many hours of searching the web for local hire companies, we stumbled upon a company new to the area who were nearly £100 cheaper than their competition. After receiving advice on the differences between a Strimmer and a Brushcutter, a Petrol Bushcutter was hired and proved it was worth its weight in gold. We cleared the weeds etc down to ground level which meant at least we could then see what we were doing.

What is a Strimmer or Brushcutter?

A Strimmer is a power tools that uses a nylon line which rotates very fast to cut and trim grass. The term “Strimmer” is actually a brand name created by Black & Decker to describe Grass or Line Trimmers. In Australia they are commonly known as “Wipper Snippers”.

A Brushcutter is a very similar power tool to a strimmer but it has a metal cutting blade instead of nylon line to cut with. This means that it can cut through more than just grass, as their name suggests. They also have to have a more powerful petrol engine to drive them.

Potting shed’s all done

12th June 2020

Log Storage Bin Re-Born

13th June 2020

It’s amazing what you can find on your allotment what can be useful. Like this IBC water tank frame used as a rubbish burner. Til now!! a log storage bin is born. Loving the rustic look.

First of many Raised Beds

21st June 2020

It’s amazing what you can do with pallets.

Looking Good

22nd June 2020

It’s amazing how far we have got in 3 weeks.

Busy Weekend

5th July 2020

House hold rubbish compost shed was built. Giving life back to a shed which was on a bonfire.
Mulching which prevent weeds in the allotment just lay cardboard to cover the ground and then cover with wood chips. This way, you don’t need as much mulch and it completely smothers the weeds so you don’t have weeds coming up. It’s a great way to kill and prevent weeds and it’s also a good way to make inexpensive garden paths. If you use this method to mulch around existing plants, arrange the cardboard so that it leaves space for the plants. If you want to add additional plants later, simply poke a small hole in the cardboard for each one.

It’s A Smelly Job.

19th August 2020

It was a smelly job but someone had to do it. 18 tonne of horse poo spread on plot. And a area fenced off ready for storage of more poo.

Hotel with a pool

21st August 2020

Hotel with a pool for our Bug friends is now open

5 Stars Bug Hotel Now Open

Create a multi-storey bug hotel that’s full of all sorts of natural materials, providing hidey-holes for creatures galore. Safe hideaways can be hard for wildlife to find in some gardens, and what better use for all your garden waste and odds and ends? Build your bug hotel (also known as a wildlife hotel or stack) well and it could shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads, solitary bees to bumblebees, and ladybirds to woodlice. You can build your bug hotel at any time of year, but you may find you have most natural materials such as straw, dry grass and hollow plant stems in autumn.

You can choose any of the following:

Old wooden pallets
Strips of wood
Straw
Moss
Dry leaves
Woodchips
Old terracotta pots
Old roofing tiles
Bricks, preferably those with holes through them
Old logs
Bark
Pine cones
Sand
Soil
Hollow bamboo canes
Dead hollow stems cut from shrubs and herbaceous plants
A sheet of roofing felt
Planks of wood
Whatever else you can find – preferably natural materials

Choose a suitable site. It needs to be level and the ground firm.

You’ll get different residents depending on where you place your hotel, as some like cool, damp conditions and others (such as solitary bees) prefer the sun. If you have vegetable beds, keep it a good distance away from them.

The basic structure. You will need a strong, stable framework that’s no more than a metre high!

Old wooden pallets are perfect for a large hotel as they’re sturdy and come with ready-made gaps. Start by laying some bricks on the ground as sturdy corners. Leave some spaces in between the bricks – try creating an H-shape. Add three or four layers of wooden pallets on top of your bricks. If you leave larger ends, you’re more likely to attract hedgehogs.

The Upraising

11th September 2020

Raised beds are great for contaminated soil area’s , In our case 3 baths & 2 raised beds the floor is covered in membrane a weed control fabric which is used for suppressing weed growth then layer bark chippings from our local tree surgeon.

Brown Waste Bin

25th September 2020

Other way to make your own compost if you can build a Brown Waste Bin for things like leaf’s & bark chippings.

The Greenhouse

28th November 2020

Finally after illness & the terrible weather we have been having the greenhouse is built & looking good.

Welcome To Our Garden

13th December 2020

It doesn’t seem 7 months ago we start our new adventure. Our dream allotment plot came for lease “We Ask & We Got“. Been larger & easy excess for delivery of manure & bark chippings as it was located next to the car park, it’s probably one of the best located plots.

“Enjoy looking thought the picture’s @ the changes of our New Adventure”