Amazing video - thanks for sharing. I'm a newbie allotment holder - have just fully cleared my plot and now have a blank canvas to work from. What's the single most valuable piece of advice you can offer? :o)
i'm addicted at looking at people's allotments, maybe because i don't have one, it's impossible to not to notice the love ,passion and care that went into this allotment, not to mention the cash and time, fair play to you sir, you have turned it into a wicked place , if i was a pigeon, your allotment would be like heaven ,i wouldn't let any intruders in it,
Nice Video. I have a dummy question: can one grow veggie direct on a organic compost or do i have to mix with a soil? keeping in mine that my soil is sandy really sandy. Thank you
Thank you for the kind comments. I won the best plot competition in 2010 with the addition of a further half plot. Unfortunately I got a new camera which I just could not get to edit properly.
2010 is a new year and I have a lot in store. You can get a taste on my facebook allaboutallotments page
This is, without question, one of the nicest raised bed gardens I have ever seen. I also LOVE your Potato planting instructions, and can't wait to use your method this year. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
Wow! Just found out about your video, Dr. Cook! And you've given me inspiration on how to go about our allotment garden project back here in the Philippines! :D This is truly amazing! :D Would love to see more updated videos and pics!
Your allotment looks amazing. It must have taken a lot of hard work to get it to this point. Thanks for posting the video, it has given me lots of ideas for my allotment. I particularly like your small greenhouses and frames and will be constructing something similar for my tomatoes, chillis and melons.
wow - really impressed. I'm just at the new (jungle) plot stage. It's been cleared and I have a load of old scaffolding board to build raised beds. just trying to find out if it's treated, or if it will need to be...
I can't believe that I have wasps trying to burrow a home in the dowel that I'm using for my green peppers. Do you have any suggestions on how to get rid of them other than spraying it with bug spray. And while I'm on the subject of bugs, do you know what's good to us on horned worms. They are attacking my tomato plants.
Outstanding Garden! I'm starting to build some new beds on a new property, and what an inspiration your garden is for my project. You have given me some wonderful Ideas I never thought of before, and a couple new plants to consider too. Thank you so much for the video, it shows just how Glorious a garden can be, and I just loved it. Better organization is NOW on my list of first things to consider, your layout is perfect, and without worry I can include fruit trees, and berries after all. Bless
@newheys Congratulations on coming first you have worked very hard for it.
I have just cleared about the same size area as you have of 6ft high nettles and grasses and I'm done for lol but this video is a true inspiration for why I'm killing myself LOL.
Did you get your tumbling toms from The Real Seed Company (Heirllom veg) as I got a packet of every one of their selection (even though I don't know what I'm doing) and in that lot is same only called Centiflour (check them out). NOT SPAM.
Great plot George, but why worry what so called judges think. If its just as you want why worry what anyone else thinks. Hope everything is growing well this year again. It seems to be a good year.
they say pick the flowers of blueberries in its first two years; did you find that your plants which seem newly planted thrives without? Also based in Liverpool
Thanks for the comments and advice George, I will move the horesradish. I only really kept it there as the previous plot holder grew it and was the only thing on the plot at the time of taking it over. I had to dig loads out last year so will pot it!
Love my rhubarb so will take on board what you said. I may well transfer the rhubarb to the 8x4 area where the horseradish is currently, giving it lots of room,
I plan on doing further videos and will probably give you a mention!
Apart from the practicality of raised beds, you can start with one and multiply when you have time and have tested the first! It is all explained on allaboutallotments
Your plot is beautiful,I would like mine to be raised beds, it would be easier for me to keep up.I do grow a lot of herbs and flowers,fruit,veg.I'm planning to grow more herbs and wildflowers in rows this year for colour and seed and veg in between. from paula
Like you I took up gardening rather than the gym and have about 1/2 acre in Scotland. Am reclaiming a further 1/5 acre from weeds for veggies. Your modular system is awsome and am now using dismantled pallets (free) at 1.2 m stained. Some of your modules are not stained - any reason? Also why a series of modules with netting on top and not the hoop you also use? The hoop surely is preferable and cheaper? Some of your frames you did not film: Shame - this is so informative. Keep the vids coming!
i have looked at the uk allotment videos since youtube started. yours is by far the best i have seen. we get a lot of water in CA, stored in our massive sierra mtn snow pack and rain forests but we have an enormous illegal population influx taking the 'old' water ,and the lawyers have killed new dams. so you pay an arm and leg for water to fund the lawyers and illegals water needs. i have my own wells but still drip irrigate. its nice to see a serious garden so thanks so much for sharing.
nice job you could feed an army off of what you grow. i guess you don't have to worry about irrigation in england, but you must have to do some hand watering? we have to drip irrigate everything in Ca, even in the north where we get a lot of rain as water is so scarce. too bad you have that eye sore plot to the back of your gorgeous garden. it looks like you might want to espalier some more fruit trees.
Thanks for your comment. Hand watering is necessary at times but not too often other than in exceptional years. You are right about the fruit trees and I am training them to create a screen, but unfortunately it is the south side of the plot and I do not want to create too much shade. I just wish I had your sun and our rain!
thats so beautiful, iv never rli been into gardening but ever since my uni project i had 2 design a twist on an allotments,iv loved growing . good job :)
George, your allotment is absolutely amazing!! I can't imagine why you didn't win.
From your website I've taken away really great advice. I didn't understand your raised beds though-why the screw hangs out; how you connect the higher frames? Also I'm interested in how you built your fruit cages, netting, and green houses. I expect you're really busy, but if you ever find the time, please post a how-to.
Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm & knowledge!
Okay,okay, I can see your side of the weather issue now, we've had almost non-stop rain, which will continue for the next week. Was able to plant most of my cabbage, broccoli,kohlrabi,brussel sprouts,onion sets, shallots,garlic, spinach, and lettuce for the fall. Ended up finishing in the rain today! Our rainy season is beginning now, don't know how you get things in year round!
Hello george; I can't believe your garden didn't place! It wins in my book! Loved your last video, but you still haven't sent me some of that rain you promised ! We had a terrible drought this summer in central texas. I'm trying leeks for the first time, wish me luck. Looking forward to your next video.
Fantastic videos, I have just taken on an allotment of a fair size, it's not been worked on for a few years. Your videos are very inspirational.
Could you please do a video on how you made your raised beds, I see a few other people have left comments asking the same, interested to see what wood you used, sizes, whether it was treated and what process you went through to produce them,
been waiting for this years video - great work, well done!!! Inspirational, have copied the raised bed idea and hope to make the greenhouse for some of the beds this year. Having tried the raised beds this year for the first time I do feel they have their limitations, I personally do like to mix my plot with conventional rows and raised beds.
If anyone deserves an award you do because that plot is absolutely outstanding and a credit to you.
May I ask one question please? How do you keep your cabbages in such pristine condition? Mine were looking lovely until cabbage moths found them and now I'm also finding small white slugs in the hearts, and quite disgusting they are too, really slimy. I go out at night with a torch and get up at 4.40am to hunt for the enemy but I feel like I am losing the battle.
The brassicas are all covered in frames with 8mm net which is small enough to keep out the butterfies and moths. At first I used to use a lot of slug pellets under the nets which prevented birds from getting to them or eating the dead slugs and snails. I now find that there are far fewer slugs on the plot. The net also keeps off the pidgeons!
I almost got it right - I took my nets off too soon because the cabbages were pushing against them, next year I'll use higher nets and just leave them in place.
I hope the weather is better than here, where I live is raining on average every three days. Again, thanks for posting. You have a wonderful allotment.
Thanks, I spent 106 hour on the allotment, getting up at 5am to do a couple of hours befor work on most days as well as weekends etc. There is not a single weed on the whole plot.
Thumbs up for beautiful gardens!
BackyardDiscoveryCo 2 months ago
Amazing video - thanks for sharing. I'm a newbie allotment holder - have just fully cleared my plot and now have a blank canvas to work from. What's the single most valuable piece of advice you can offer? :o)
rickvanman 3 months ago
Absolutely gorgeous!
pamelawalker1 3 months ago
Desperately waiting for your next upload.Miriam
Miriam79110 4 months ago
i have just got a allotment and just had to say how fantastic your allotment is...its amazing.
MrJosh3097 5 months ago
That is just an awesome garden. I can see why you won lol
jedesignz 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Brilliant! Please update us!
gillspb 8 months ago
i'm addicted at looking at people's allotments, maybe because i don't have one, it's impossible to not to notice the love ,passion and care that went into this allotment, not to mention the cash and time, fair play to you sir, you have turned it into a wicked place , if i was a pigeon, your allotment would be like heaven ,i wouldn't let any intruders in it,
aityadeen123 9 months ago
Fantastic... well done, a pleasure to watch
berniesbargreece 9 months ago
George, I have got to commend you for such an innovative , productive, and easily managed garden. I look forward to more updates.
OriginalBurton 9 months ago
WoW....I'm very impressed....very awesome gardening for sure....:) Thanks for your videos!! Hope you win a grand prize....:)
angelsaura1 10 months ago
Wow, that's quite an allotment. how much would you say you spend on it each year?
philgreg74 11 months ago
too tidy for the bugs.
eyechubcunt 11 months ago
WOW! that is so AWESOME! I've been thinking about growing corn in my raised beds but I wasn't sure if it would work! I guess it does! :-)
gardenvespers777 1 year ago
What a beautiful allotment! Magnificent!!
Jenslilhomestead 1 year ago
Nice Video. I have a dummy question: can one grow veggie direct on a organic compost or do i have to mix with a soil? keeping in mine that my soil is sandy really sandy. Thank you
HobyoGirl 1 year ago
Hi there,
Just wanted to say your plot is amazing and i'm just starting out this year. I was wondering how big your plot actually is?
Thank you
alinewman 1 year ago
Thank you for the kind comments. I won the best plot competition in 2010 with the addition of a further half plot. Unfortunately I got a new camera which I just could not get to edit properly.
2010 is a new year and I have a lot in store. You can get a taste on my facebook allaboutallotments page
newheys 1 year ago 4
@newheys wow whats going on in that facebook page? I'll check it out. I like your black currants. Real nice set up.
cancio157 1 year ago
@newheys Lovely plot George. Are you using Microsoft's Movie Maker as an editing tool? Comes with *most* PCs
galaxytourer1 8 months ago
what a brilliant set-up. possibly one of the best i've seen.
good luck
drumon25 2 months ago
This is, without question, one of the nicest raised bed gardens I have ever seen. I also LOVE your Potato planting instructions, and can't wait to use your method this year. Thank you for your wonderful videos.
Sheila6325 1 year ago
You seriously need to get that battery retrieved from down under
ukgardener1 1 year ago
Wow! Just found out about your video, Dr. Cook! And you've given me inspiration on how to go about our allotment garden project back here in the Philippines! :D This is truly amazing! :D Would love to see more updated videos and pics!
mcsrubio 1 year ago
Your allotment looks amazing. It must have taken a lot of hard work to get it to this point. Thanks for posting the video, it has given me lots of ideas for my allotment. I particularly like your small greenhouses and frames and will be constructing something similar for my tomatoes, chillis and melons.
hailtryfan 1 year ago
Turn the shed into an outdoor bar
jwalk1014 1 year ago
nice,,tar.
bertsdog 1 year ago
very nice. Like your compost system as well. I have a 3 stage system myself
fatlossfundamentals 1 year ago
wow - really impressed. I'm just at the new (jungle) plot stage. It's been cleared and I have a load of old scaffolding board to build raised beds. just trying to find out if it's treated, or if it will need to be...
Will look out for new videos...
iamzebedee 1 year ago
Yes - how about an update ?
This is better than Eastenders.
I have used your example for the raised beds and compost bins and am very pleased. Thank you. It is my first year.
Hitchypaul 1 year ago
I can't believe that I have wasps trying to burrow a home in the dowel that I'm using for my green peppers. Do you have any suggestions on how to get rid of them other than spraying it with bug spray. And while I'm on the subject of bugs, do you know what's good to us on horned worms. They are attacking my tomato plants.
ads92557 1 year ago
Outstanding Garden! I'm starting to build some new beds on a new property, and what an inspiration your garden is for my project. You have given me some wonderful Ideas I never thought of before, and a couple new plants to consider too. Thank you so much for the video, it shows just how Glorious a garden can be, and I just loved it. Better organization is NOW on my list of first things to consider, your layout is perfect, and without worry I can include fruit trees, and berries after all. Bless
Sheila6325 1 year ago
You going to do a video update George?
grjones 1 year ago
@grjones
Yes as soon as I can, my cameras battery charger is in Australia with my daughter!
newheys 1 year ago
I won first prize this year!
newheys 1 year ago 13
@newheys Congratulations on coming first you have worked very hard for it.
I have just cleared about the same size area as you have of 6ft high nettles and grasses and I'm done for lol but this video is a true inspiration for why I'm killing myself LOL.
Did you get your tumbling toms from The Real Seed Company (Heirllom veg) as I got a packet of every one of their selection (even though I don't know what I'm doing) and in that lot is same only called Centiflour (check them out). NOT SPAM.
agentgooner007 1 year ago
@newheys Fantastic news and what a beautiful garden.
Truly Wonderful.
arajagpl 1 year ago
Great plot George, but why worry what so called judges think. If its just as you want why worry what anyone else thinks. Hope everything is growing well this year again. It seems to be a good year.
adlebadle1 1 year ago
Where's the 2010 video update George? Looking forward to the progress report for this year!
grjones 1 year ago
Very very very nice… The only thing missing from that allotment is a hammock and a mini fridge to keep the beer cold.
p.s. LOL… I bet your neighbors hate you, given that they constantly have to play “catch-up with George”.
Greengate777 1 year ago
looks great to me. do you eat everything, or do you give some away to friends.
MyAussieDay 1 year ago
I have never had success with blueberries. Maybe that is why!
newheys 1 year ago
they say pick the flowers of blueberries in its first two years; did you find that your plants which seem newly planted thrives without? Also based in Liverpool
bloobs72 1 year ago
Thanks for the comments and advice George, I will move the horesradish. I only really kept it there as the previous plot holder grew it and was the only thing on the plot at the time of taking it over. I had to dig loads out last year so will pot it!
Love my rhubarb so will take on board what you said. I may well transfer the rhubarb to the 8x4 area where the horseradish is currently, giving it lots of room,
I plan on doing further videos and will probably give you a mention!
grjones 1 year ago
Well done. I would dig out the horseradish and confine it to an extra large pot or it will take over.
Dig the rhubarb out, it does not need a raised bed and in any case is too big a plant for that small area, put it somewhere else.
I like the little wildlife clips!
Polythene was from internet and net from garden centre
newheys 1 year ago
I said i'd copy your raised beds ideas, check out my video if you have the time, thanks,
grjones 1 year ago
Where did you get big sheets of polythene from and also your netting? It's nicer than the typical green stuff!
grjones 1 year ago
Apart from the practicality of raised beds, you can start with one and multiply when you have time and have tested the first! It is all explained on allaboutallotments
newheys 1 year ago
Your plot is beautiful,I would like mine to be raised beds, it would be easier for me to keep up.I do grow a lot of herbs and flowers,fruit,veg.I'm planning to grow more herbs and wildflowers in rows this year for colour and seed and veg in between. from paula
paulaoscar1 1 year ago
Wonderful and inspirational.. ! I have shared this on my facebook:-)
naomilever 1 year ago
Beautiful garden. What size are most of your beds? They appear to be about 1.25m x 2.5m.
dkim68 1 year ago
good stuff but check out 'johnnies allotment' for a proper giggle!
geordiesumner 1 year ago
Nice organised set up there fella.
I do similar,It helps with the weeding.
Good stuff !!
allotmentdiary 2 years ago
Like you I took up gardening rather than the gym and have about 1/2 acre in Scotland. Am reclaiming a further 1/5 acre from weeds for veggies. Your modular system is awsome and am now using dismantled pallets (free) at 1.2 m stained. Some of your modules are not stained - any reason? Also why a series of modules with netting on top and not the hoop you also use? The hoop surely is preferable and cheaper? Some of your frames you did not film: Shame - this is so informative. Keep the vids coming!
318819 2 years ago
Thanks for your interest. The hoops have wire netting attached permanently, I found that plastic netting was awkward to manage.
The wooden frames with netting work much better.
newheys 2 years ago
Fantastic plot, with some time and hard work I hope to set up my allotment with many raised beds also.
s0s0bad 2 years ago
Thanks for your comment and good luck
newheys 2 years ago
i have looked at the uk allotment videos since youtube started. yours is by far the best i have seen. we get a lot of water in CA, stored in our massive sierra mtn snow pack and rain forests but we have an enormous illegal population influx taking the 'old' water ,and the lawyers have killed new dams. so you pay an arm and leg for water to fund the lawyers and illegals water needs. i have my own wells but still drip irrigate. its nice to see a serious garden so thanks so much for sharing.
telemarker77 2 years ago
nice job you could feed an army off of what you grow. i guess you don't have to worry about irrigation in england, but you must have to do some hand watering? we have to drip irrigate everything in Ca, even in the north where we get a lot of rain as water is so scarce. too bad you have that eye sore plot to the back of your gorgeous garden. it looks like you might want to espalier some more fruit trees.
telemarker77 2 years ago
Thanks for your comment. Hand watering is necessary at times but not too often other than in exceptional years. You are right about the fruit trees and I am training them to create a screen, but unfortunately it is the south side of the plot and I do not want to create too much shade. I just wish I had your sun and our rain!
newheys 2 years ago
George, respect and all the best. Thanks for sharing!
mal310 2 years ago
thats so beautiful, iv never rli been into gardening but ever since my uni project i had 2 design a twist on an allotments,iv loved growing . good job :)
wifey4lyf 2 years ago
George, your allotment is absolutely amazing!! I can't imagine why you didn't win.
From your website I've taken away really great advice. I didn't understand your raised beds though-why the screw hangs out; how you connect the higher frames? Also I'm interested in how you built your fruit cages, netting, and green houses. I expect you're really busy, but if you ever find the time, please post a how-to.
Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm & knowledge!
Jane. A Brit living in California.
BlackSakura444 2 years ago
Holy cow. Thanks for posting this to youtube - it was treat to take a tour of such a well-organized, productive plot!
gradplex 2 years ago
How you didn't win, God only knows!
A Mighty Fine Allotment. Ive just got the keys to my first Plot and cant wait to get started.
choppercraddy 2 years ago
Thanks for your comments. A recount put me 3rd. Like you I can't wait to get started again.
Good luck.
newheys 2 years ago
Hi George,
Do you treat the B&Q wood on your raised beds - Do they rot?
Are you going to put plastic over your grapes?
Do you put manure under all your raised bed areas or just under the plants - or a little in trenches as in your potatoe video?
Do you need to water much?
Yours are great videos that teach us a lot.
Thank you.
Hitchypaul 2 years ago
Okay,okay, I can see your side of the weather issue now, we've had almost non-stop rain, which will continue for the next week. Was able to plant most of my cabbage, broccoli,kohlrabi,brussel sprouts,onion sets, shallots,garlic, spinach, and lettuce for the fall. Ended up finishing in the rain today! Our rainy season is beginning now, don't know how you get things in year round!
texasnative7 2 years ago
Hello george; I can't believe your garden didn't place! It wins in my book! Loved your last video, but you still haven't sent me some of that rain you promised ! We had a terrible drought this summer in central texas. I'm trying leeks for the first time, wish me luck. Looking forward to your next video.
texasnative7 2 years ago
Hi Texasnative,
We have not had a proper drought since 1976, although it has not rained for 3 weeks.
Jun Jul Aug it rained on 54 out of 92 days, I have completely different problems to you. Good luck with the leeks.
newheys 2 years ago
I wish I was your nieghbor! Fantastic Garden you have helped me in my garden design! Thanks! GOD bless
anyonefindAMERICA 2 years ago
Fantastic videos, I have just taken on an allotment of a fair size, it's not been worked on for a few years. Your videos are very inspirational.
Could you please do a video on how you made your raised beds, I see a few other people have left comments asking the same, interested to see what wood you used, sizes, whether it was treated and what process you went through to produce them,
Thanks
Gary 31 Essex
grjones 2 years ago
Again just crazy!!!! You must have tons of produce!
jihadacadien 2 years ago
Nice garden. Am a raised bed gardener here in Switzerland....loving it!
onemantwodogs 2 years ago
been waiting for this years video - great work, well done!!! Inspirational, have copied the raised bed idea and hope to make the greenhouse for some of the beds this year. Having tried the raised beds this year for the first time I do feel they have their limitations, I personally do like to mix my plot with conventional rows and raised beds.
cloudie72 2 years ago
How do you make the frames?
MsTansy 2 years ago
Comment removed
randomrubberduckie 2 years ago
Your video from last season was an inspiration to me and I've started gardening with raised beds! You have an amazing garden! I love it!
KristieSue 2 years ago
If anyone deserves an award you do because that plot is absolutely outstanding and a credit to you.
May I ask one question please? How do you keep your cabbages in such pristine condition? Mine were looking lovely until cabbage moths found them and now I'm also finding small white slugs in the hearts, and quite disgusting they are too, really slimy. I go out at night with a torch and get up at 4.40am to hunt for the enemy but I feel like I am losing the battle.
Best Wishes,
Brendan
baconsoda 2 years ago
Thanks Brendan,
The brassicas are all covered in frames with 8mm net which is small enough to keep out the butterfies and moths. At first I used to use a lot of slug pellets under the nets which prevented birds from getting to them or eating the dead slugs and snails. I now find that there are far fewer slugs on the plot. The net also keeps off the pidgeons!
newheys 2 years ago
I almost got it right - I took my nets off too soon because the cabbages were pushing against them, next year I'll use higher nets and just leave them in place.
Many thanks,
Brendan
baconsoda 2 years ago
I waited for very long to see your plot this year! thank for posting, Elena, Italy
elmadas 2 years ago 2
Thank you, I am not far away at the moment in Nice recovering from the effort of getting the plot weed frre!
newheys 2 years ago
I hope the weather is better than here, where I live is raining on average every three days. Again, thanks for posting. You have a wonderful allotment.
Elena
elmadas 2 years ago
I'm so glad to see a new video. I find your garden to be so inspiring!!! I would definately choose you to win.
aunthill167 2 years ago
Thanks, I spent 106 hour on the allotment, getting up at 5am to do a couple of hours befor work on most days as well as weekends etc. There is not a single weed on the whole plot.
newheys 2 years ago
hope you win :)
crewlla 2 years ago