My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at
this time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
et...
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at this
time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

I let forget me nots self seed and where they are not in the way I leave
them and they make a lovely splash of colour at this time of year.

"Robert (Plymouth)" wrote in message
...


"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
et...
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at this
time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

I let forget me nots self seed and where they are not in the way I leave
them and they make a lovely splash of colour at this time of year.


:~) and they attract bees.

You could also try some companion planting, such as marigolds and nasturtium
which, respectively, deter aphids and attract aphid-eating hoverflies, or
attract blackfly from other crops. If you grow runner beans, you could also
grow sweet peas among them or near by, to attract bees to the crop.

Spider

Nasturtiums attract blackfly away fom crops and ramble along the ground
adding a beautiful oranges. yellows and reds. Sunflowers are another
taditional allotment flower. I usually let a few things flower and run to
seed to collect the seeds for next year, my Kale is adding a lovely yellow
mist to the plot at the moment.

--
Mark Hamer
www.another-way.co.uk

I don't want to arrive at my grave in an attractive and well preserved body,
hopefully I will be skidding in
sideways, Gin and Tonic in one hand -- Cigar in the other screaming YAHAAAY!
"Spider" wrote in message
...

"Robert (Plymouth)" wrote in message
...


"Ed" ex@directory wrote in message
et...
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at
this time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

I let forget me nots self seed and where they are not in the way I leave
them and they make a lovely splash of colour at this time of year.


:~) and they attract bees.

You could also try some companion planting, such as marigolds and
nasturtium which, respectively, deter aphids and attract aphid-eating
hoverflies, or attract blackfly from other crops. If you grow runner
beans, you could also grow sweet peas among them or near by, to attract
bees to the crop.

Spider

In article , Ed
writes
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at
this time of year or at later times?

Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show
entry?

Roy.
--
Roy Bailey
West Berkshire.

"Roy Bailey" wrote in message
...
In article , Ed
writes
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at this
time of year or at later times?

Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show
entry?

Roy.
--
Roy Bailey
West Berkshire.


He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.

Spider

On Apr 27, 12:57*pm, "Spider" wrote:

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. *Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. *Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. *If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. *The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. *They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. *Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. *Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.


Then again, maybe it is a genuine enquiry, to better guide the
fella ;-)
I think there was lots of good ideas put forward by earlier posters,
and a pretty garden is a place that is more pleasing to work - so not
only does it attract beneficial wildlife, it attracts oneself to spend
some time there.
I find that some varieties are prettier than others - for example, I
grow red flowering runner beans on bamboo wigwams every year, and they
look terrific.
Also, I plant lettuces in various colours and textures, and instead of
planting them in rows, you could play around with planting them
"mosaic" style, if space allows.

Caít()

On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:44:57 -0700 (PDT), "Cat(h)"
wrote:

On Apr 27, 12:57*pm, "Spider" wrote:

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. *Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. *Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. *If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. *The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. *They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. *Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. *Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.


Then again, maybe it is a genuine enquiry, to better guide the
fella ;-)
I think there was lots of good ideas put forward by earlier posters,
and a pretty garden is a place that is more pleasing to work - so not
only does it attract beneficial wildlife, it attracts oneself to spend
some time there.
I find that some varieties are prettier than others - for example, I
grow red flowering runner beans on bamboo wigwams every year, and they
look terrific.
Also, I plant lettuces in various colours and textures, and instead of
planting them in rows, you could play around with planting them
"mosaic" style, if space allows.


I thought the OP was very clear that he was a vegetable gardener.
Unfortunately its too easy to misunderstand what people mean on URG.

On Apr 27, 2:31*pm, Fuschia wrote:
On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:44:57 -0700 (PDT), "Cat(h)"





wrote:
On Apr 27, 12:57*pm, "Spider" wrote:

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. *Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. *Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. *If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. *The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. *They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. *Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. *Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.

Then again, maybe it is a genuine enquiry, to better guide the
fella *;-)
I think there was lots of good ideas put forward by earlier posters,
and a pretty garden is a place that is more pleasing to work - so not
only does it attract beneficial wildlife, it attracts oneself to spend
some time there.
I find that some varieties are prettier than others - for example, I
grow red flowering runner beans on bamboo wigwams every year, and they
look terrific.
Also, I plant lettuces in various colours and textures, and instead of
planting them in rows, you could play around with planting them
"mosaic" style, if space allows.

I thought the OP was very clear that he was a vegetable gardener.
Unfortunately its too easy to misunderstand what people mean on URG.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I don't think there was much to misunderstand: he said clearly he was
a veg grower wanting to prettify his patch. My point was that quite
apart from adding flowers and bits of decorative landscaping as
suggested by others, you can also grow veg decoratively.
Not sure who's misunderstanding who, now ;-)

Caít()

In article , Spider
writes

"Roy Bailey" wrote in message
.. .
Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show
entry?

Roy.

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.

It wasn't a comment - it was a question.

Chelsea Flower Show includes gardens of all types these days, but the
emphasis there is on design rather than the efficacy of producing food.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so though his allotment may be
dull to Ed it might be exciting to someone who prefers substance over
style.

Roy.
--
Roy Bailey
West Berkshire.

On Apr 28, 3:10*pm, Roy Bailey wrote:
In article , Spider
writes



"Roy Bailey" wrote in message
.. .
Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show
entry?

Roy.

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he is
entitled to do. *Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. *Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. *If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed it,
then that's reason enough. *The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests away
from the crop. *They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. *Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. *Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.

It wasn't a comment - it was a question.

Chelsea Flower Show includes gardens of all types these days, but the
emphasis there is on design rather than the efficacy of producing food.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so though his allotment may be
dull to Ed it might be exciting to someone who prefers substance over
style.

Roy.
--
Roy Bailey
West Berkshire.

Actually he can have both, ask organic allotment holders, who
companion plant. It looks very pretty with Calendula and Marigolds,
Nasturtium and other things they plant. I don't have a lottie but I
have seen some who do plant this way and it is very pretty and
productive.

Judith

"Roy Bailey" wrote in message
...
In article , Spider
writes

"Roy Bailey" wrote in message
. ..
Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show
entry?

Roy.

He is interested in pleasing himself on his own plot, which I believe he
is
entitled to do. Three of us have tried to help him, and I see no reason
why
his plot shouldn't be attractive. Heaven knows, there are enough unkempt
plots around. If prettying up his plot encourages him to tend and weed
it,
then that's reason enough. The plants that have been suggested encourage
bees and beneficial insects, or act as sacrificial plants to draw pests
away
from the crop. They most certainly have their place in a productive
allotment. Chelsea Flower Show doesn't even enter the equation. Your
comment is negative and unhelpful.

It wasn't a comment - it was a question.


Allowed.

Chelsea Flower Show includes gardens of all types these days, but the
emphasis there is on design rather than the efficacy of producing food.


I don't recall design being mentioned.


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so though his allotment may be dull
to Ed it might be exciting to someone who prefers substance over style.


As the OP, surely Ed's personal opinion of his plot is paramount. He wanted
to make it look pretty, and the advice he received reflected that.

Spider

Roy.
--
Roy Bailey
West Berkshire.

On 26/04/09 19:51, Roy Bailey wrote:
In article , Ed
writes
My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and
onion sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I
do at this time of year or at later times?

Are you interested in producing food or making a Chelsea Flower Show entry?

Roy.

My primary aim is to produce crops for eating. That is why I have set
out the six beds as described which are totally dedicated to food.

It is just that I also want to try and make the plot look attractive as
well.

I have had some terrific suggestions from people on this NG and will
certainly implement many of the ideas as the year progresses.

Thanks to all.

Ed

On 2009-04-24 18:08:45 +0100, Ed ex@directory said:

My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at
this time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

How about keeping a small area for e.g. lilies or other summer bulbs so
that you have your own picking garden?

--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon

Build a pond, get some tadpoles. I have just put an old bathtub full of
rocks into the ground and scrounged some taddies. The frogs will eat plenty
of slugs. Attracts wildlife, eg spiders (good) & hedgehogs (good). Keep a
Nettle patch and a Comfrey patch, attracts bees and makes plant food. Also
build a beetle bank and a hedgehog house and a bee house. All good stuff,
makes the plot more interesting, supports biodiversity and is ecologically
sound. Depends on how much space you have and how tidy you like to be, I
like mine to be a busy mess, but it is always cropping, there's always
something down there to eat.

Mix up the beds a little and grown odd things in spare corners, a couple of
Fennel bulbs, here a Rosemary bush there Stawberries growing through the
leeks, Nasturtiums scrambling among the Raspberry canes, sunflowers in with
the Runner beans. Fill it up with lovely growing stuff! Paradise!

--
Mark Hamer
www.another-way.co.uk

I don't want to arrive at my grave in an attractive and well preserved body,
hopefully I will be skidding in
sideways, Gin and Tonic in one hand -- Cigar in the other screaming YAHAAAY!
"Sacha" wrote in message
...
On 2009-04-24 18:08:45 +0100, Ed ex@directory said:

My allotment plot looks so dull. How can I cheer it up?

I have six beds: Potatoes, Roots, Brassicas, Legumes, Onions/Leeks and
Fruits. The first five beds rotate in the order given.

I have planted potatoes, some carrot and beetroot seeds, kale and onion
sets.. but there is no ommph or colour in the plot. What can I do at this
time of year or at later times?

Ed
(east herts, uk)

How about keeping a small area for e.g. lilies or other summer bulbs so
that you have your own picking garden?

--
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
Exotic plants, shrubs & perennials
South Devon