I've just taken over an allotment plot to grow my own veg and a couple of fruit trees, I live in Scotland so there's plenty of rain
Just wondering if any one else has taken on a project like this. I'm doing plenty of research, however it tends to differ depending on the site.
Any advice and tips for a novice are much appreciated.
Some things I've learned (general plant growing):
- Careful not to over water. I've made this mistake in various forms with some plants. One in particular will hardly grow as the soil is saturated while another of the same type is thriving and the soil is only cool when you poke your finger in.
- You can grow plants using urine, but if it's not diluted to 10% (with water) it can kill them if applied directly to the plants. Undiluted urine can be added to soil for NPK.
- Save the ash from any paper or wood that you burn. It's full of minerals you can add to soil.
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Currently I've adopted the Ruth Stout method of gardening, and it's working. I have 8 potato plants growing just in hay, with at least as many germinating/ready to sprout. Also am attempting to grow garlic, onions, lettuce (all planted but yet to spout at this point), and have seedlings of tomatoes and pinto beans which will be ready to transplant in a few weeks. Broccoli not yet planted but I intend to soon.
If you try the Ruth Stout method, make sure to lay your hay on thick, and don't put anything underneath that can let sunlight through (to the grass /weeds you're trying to avoid), like small tree branches that can prop up some parts. Laying such branches and not using a thick enough layer of hay meant some grass poking through in mine.
Ruth Stout method (done properly) is said to be one of the easiest forms of gardening. I've found that so far mostly it is, and most of my work came from the aforementioned mistakes and I had to plow some areas because of them. It is also good if rain is sparse - the hay protects your plant seeds from the sun, and it also keeps the underneath areas moist.