tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post4954540415496235034..comments2024-03-25T13:56:15.075+00:00Comments on Our Plot at Green Lane Allotments: Fruit mulchSue Garretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-69513820634462864352013-05-20T08:29:50.645+00:002013-05-20T08:29:50.645+00:00I'll check that out Tanya.I'll check that out Tanya.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-10366438155165370782013-05-19T19:19:08.643+00:002013-05-19T19:19:08.643+00:00Sorry that should have said Lingonberry. Nothing l...Sorry that should have said Lingonberry. Nothing like a tay or logan berryTanya.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08436595615435609755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-78452004980451154462013-05-19T09:00:22.234+00:002013-05-19T09:00:22.234+00:00No problem Bilbo - I knew you were taking time out...No problem Bilbo - I knew you were taking time out! Plenty more weeding to do still though - and planting.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-69899409643962623152013-05-19T07:45:54.001+00:002013-05-19T07:45:54.001+00:00Sorry I've been AWOL, hope to catch up with al...Sorry I've been AWOL, hope to catch up with all your progress soon. Everything looks so lush and verdant, well done with all the weeding :}BilboWagginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06913801147278606148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-1591437112284555162013-05-18T07:44:41.142+00:002013-05-18T07:44:41.142+00:00We are banking on the weed fabric lasting a few ye...We are banking on the weed fabric lasting a few years Elaine - the stuff used around the carrots was good again for this year.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-11833579823165188982013-05-18T07:43:38.574+00:002013-05-18T07:43:38.574+00:00WE dod have a couple Jill and we love them even th...WE dod have a couple Jill and we love them even though they tend to fruit biennially like the plums and all choose the same year to have a good crop. Yes that is correct about the 'cage' I can untie the 'fence' at one end and creep under. The netting gives enough so I can more or less stand up when underneath - I'm not a tall person so I end up doing all the picking. The net is the firmer stuff again to try and protect the birds from being tangled as they will try everything to get in and do manage to reach down and steal some fruit at the top if the bushes.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-41204719937734600602013-05-18T07:40:01.443+00:002013-05-18T07:40:01.443+00:00I've not heard of those, Jo I'll have to ...I've not heard of those, Jo I'll have to investigate.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-65408011340430746132013-05-18T07:39:56.486+00:002013-05-18T07:39:56.486+00:00A big job to get all that lot weeded and it is so ...A big job to get all that lot weeded and it is so awkward trying to get under and around the bushes isn't it. I can't afford to buy all the weed suppressant stuff so I soak newspapers and lay them around the plants - it works quite well.elaine https://www.blogger.com/profile/17075935631756457901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-67747809190351969242013-05-18T07:38:20.946+00:002013-05-18T07:38:20.946+00:00The mulch was really to keep the weeds down Dewber...The mulch was really to keep the weeds down Dewberry. They grow like crazy in those particular beds.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-54576803154141660892013-05-18T07:31:18.039+00:002013-05-18T07:31:18.039+00:00Thanks Caro that's a good bit of advice.Thanks Caro that's a good bit of advice.<br /> Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-14260074191305397592013-05-17T21:17:01.742+00:002013-05-17T21:17:01.742+00:00I'm sure you have greengages already Sue- they...I'm sure you have greengages already Sue- they are certainly on my "must get" list! I'm interested in your cage protection: so a mini fence of chicken wire and netting over the top portion of the frame?e17jlhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15364226741866390432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-50355438834219757332013-05-17T19:43:53.657+00:002013-05-17T19:43:53.657+00:00Oh what about some of those Chilean Guava plants. ...Oh what about some of those Chilean Guava plants. They sound fun but not sure if they need an acidic compost. Jo@awholeplotoflovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03525039817338877634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-65307918497231382062013-05-17T19:09:05.083+00:002013-05-17T19:09:05.083+00:00In Poland all of my neighbours sow marigolds (tage...In Poland all of my neighbours sow marigolds (tagetes) tight around the fruit trees instead of mulching. It's said to be profitable for both sides, the trees and marigolds. Dewberry / Amanitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15414491661460075503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-23788573122061428902013-05-17T18:54:36.272+00:002013-05-17T18:54:36.272+00:00Hi Sue, just picking up on Mark's comment re H...Hi Sue, just picking up on Mark's comment re Honeyberries .... I bought one earlier this year as I wanted a blueberry like fruit without the fuss of ericaceous compost. I've since found out that they're not self-pollinating so it's best to buy at least two. I've now got to find a second plant to buy ... and the space to put TWO bushes! Apparently they can grow to 1metre high and wide (in time). Mark Diacono's book 'A Taste of the Unexpected' has good info on growing this fruit. PS. They're also very hardy as they originate from Siberia!! :)Carohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11317388242574705433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-76152068654970984222013-05-17T17:23:25.111+00:002013-05-17T17:23:25.111+00:00Oh and in answer to the time issue - not working h...Oh and in answer to the time issue - not working helps!Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-56022265549129545132013-05-17T17:19:50.011+00:002013-05-17T17:19:50.011+00:00We did have a go at goji berries once Mark but the...We did have a go at goji berries once Mark but then there was some sort of fuss about viruses etc. so we dumped them. The other two suggestions are a possibility I'll have to see what I can find out about them?Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-78019576268376759522013-05-17T17:16:18.839+00:002013-05-17T17:16:18.839+00:00It's a pity you don't live near to us Lind...It's a pity you don't live near to us Linda as we have lots of self rooted jostaberry plants where a branch has touched the ground and rooted. They are easy to grow but will grow quite large if not checked. It's a cross between a blackcurrant and a gooseberry.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-22481125497945769372013-05-17T17:11:14.722+00:002013-05-17T17:11:14.722+00:00Sue, I don't know where you find the time to t...Sue, I don't know where you find the time to tend to all that stuff! You must have a big staff...<br />Have you considered the "new" fruits like Goji Berries and Honeyberries? Or a pink Blueberry?Mark Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04558305122821209520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-8623514532409610352013-05-17T14:35:25.909+00:002013-05-17T14:35:25.909+00:00Wow, you grow some serious fruit there Sue. I'...Wow, you grow some serious fruit there Sue. I've never heard of a Jostaberry though - what is it and is it easy to grow?<br />I think we have Tayberry growing wild here but other than a few apple, pear, plum, cherry and fig trees I don't bother with fruit. I think I may have to rethink that though :)<br /><br />LindaLindachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17307042289297886569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-79706882075708168542013-05-17T13:14:25.706+00:002013-05-17T13:14:25.706+00:00We have a tayberry which s similar to a loganberry...We have a tayberry which s similar to a loganberry and a couple of cranberries in tubs, Tanuya but to be honest the ones we picked were really tart and we don't like having to add lots of sugar to make then edible. We really need something more uprightSue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-31342228854524376812013-05-17T13:11:47.584+00:002013-05-17T13:11:47.584+00:00It probably is David but the main aim of the exerc...It probably is David but the main aim of the exercise is to keep down the weed growth. We only really used the manure as the wood chippings store was empty. The ground under the fabric has been fertilised with fish, blood and bone or chicken manure pellets.<br /><br />Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-55393653102873353882013-05-17T10:49:08.463+00:002013-05-17T10:49:08.463+00:00When I planted my fruit bushes and trees they went...When I planted my fruit bushes and trees they went in fabric which I then gravelled over the top. It has worked well and certainly makes for an easy life maintenance wise. Can't really think of any 'Must Have' fruit. the only thing I have which is a little less ordinary are the cranberry and loganberries. I will be interested to see what other fruit you decide to get though.Tanya.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08436595615435609755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33294007.post-77046629180960294842013-05-17T10:15:50.146+00:002013-05-17T10:15:50.146+00:00Isn't the membrane a worm barrier? Personally ...Isn't the membrane a worm barrier? Personally I'd miss out on the black plastic and let the worms work in the compost over time.Seems more in harmony with nature this way.<br />At home ,my raised beds with chipping surrounds seem to act as worm barriers,whereas on my more unrestricted allotment plot the worms,lots of big ones and small red ones,can move happily around.<br />Friends of mine provide manure from their Icelandic ponies to our allotment site ,so we know it's source.It usually doesn't get time to rot down before it's been spread about the plots and the new bunker is already empty waiting for the next consignment.David Shinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01349275095909121230noreply@blogger.com