Allotment Thoughts

[Kirran]

I'm living in a small city in the East of England, and I've found that I can probably get a 250 square metre allotment just round the corner from my street for £20 for the year. I am leaving this city in ten months, so I'd just have it for that long.

Considering going for it, and growing some vegetables, but I'm wondering what kinds of vegetables people might recommend I grow. I am in Cambridge, which is the driest place in the UK (30-year average rainfall 557 mm). Lime-rich, loamy and clay-rich soils, according to this.

Don't eat meat, vegetables I eat a lot of are carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, celery, red cabbage. Already know I can't grow ginger, turmeric, or any spices like cumin, fenugreek etc here Growing some indoors

I was thinking it'd be good to grow some potatoes, some corn, maybe I could grow some beans and some cabbages and carrots as well. But as I am leaving at the end of next July, I'm not sure what would be practical to grow - would need to harvest by then.

What thoughts, RFers? And do any of you grow a lot of your own food, be it with an allotment, on your rooftop, on a farm, etc?

 

[columbus]

I've found that I can probably get a 250 square metre allotment just round the corner from my street for £20 for the year. I am leaving this city in ten months, so I'd just have it for that long.

If you are not really used to gardening you might find that much ground a lot more than you realise
Finding a garden friend who would share the expense (also more than you might think), and the labor especially, might be a very good thing. Just a thought.

Your cruciferous vegetables should be fine. Carrots take a long time, but celery grows fast. Peas and beans and such should give good harvest by then. Tomatoes and peppers are pretty easy, but they will be just getting into full swing by then. Potatoes and root vegetables just won't get that much done by then.

Are you moving far away?
Being able to "visit" would be worth a bit of a drive.
Have fun!
Tom

 

[Kirran]

Thanks columbus! I know, I grew up on a farm

I'll keep thinking about it. Gonna be moving to the other side of England!

 

[ScottySatan]

I second finding a friend to share with who can stick with it. Potatoes will probably be ready. Plant some garlic and onions now and they'll be ready in the spring.