Making Raised Beds! | Allotment Vlog 🌸 Ep. 5 🌸

Yay! The raised beds are in! I'm sooo excited to get planting very soon 🥰🥔 🧅 🌸
🌷 This was filmed on March 21st - 23rd
🌷 The plot is around 5.5m x 12.5m and the greenhouse is 8x6 ft
🌷 I'm based in South Wales
🌷 I've been gardening for about 3 years from my tiny patio garden.. so allotment plot is going to be a big step up!
Follow me on Instagram - / serensgarden
You can find my art here - serenmaddison....
🎷 Music 🎷
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[@serensgarden]

Hello everyone! Thank you all so much for subscribing and for your comments on my previous videos! I’m sorry I haven’t got around to replying to everyone yet, but I will do soon 🙂 I’m so happy that so many of you are interested in my little plot - I’m looking forward to sharing more progress with you soon!! 💖 for now, please enjoy this video and I will answer / get back to you all soon 🌷🌷🌷

[@Ragt0p]

Please know you don’t have to reply to every comment unless it brings you joy. It will be unsustainable when you have thousands of subscribers and comments soon ❤

[@pamelapinto2245]

Curious. What is the size of your allotment?

[@ninemoonplanet]

Your onion sets can just be cut out of the modules and save the roots. I prefer to soak cardboard very soggy until it's soft. A barrel or large container filled with weeds, then completely covering with water and a lid will make a decent amendment. Yes it gets stinky, but unless you have power, a good air pump and tubing, it's still worth doing.

[@bartywade]

Just found your channel and have been binge watching. I'm about to get my 5th allotment and will be trying the no dig method. I haven't had a plot for 10 years now so am watching videos of others to get back into it. Well done on clearing your plot, you've worked so hard.

[@maryhduke2307]

Create a sieve to sift dirt with an old window screen. Put it on top of a box to collect the good soil to return to the beds.

[@madeleineowen8284]

Yes, good idea for cardboard and woodchip on the paths, if you can. If the weed membrane is starting to fray, it's probably not worth keeping, because you will end up with shreds of plastic everywhere. You've worked incredibly hard, everything looking good. ❤

[@serensgarden]

That is true, and I certainly don't want even *more* shreds of plastic to worry about 😅 Thank you so much!! 💖

[@themooseman8410]

Cardboard and woodchip is a great idea, the worms will love you for it, will eventually turn to compost!

[@lindasands1433]

Glad you changed your mind about having larger beds. You will need to reach to the centre from the outside when planting

[@lauriemichaud5509]

I found your site earlier today and have now binge watched everything! What an amazing job you are doing and what you have already accomplished! The first year of a garden is always the hardest... so much you want to do and not enough time. Enjoy the process and the fruit of your work! I've been gardening over fifty years and now have a much smaller garden but it brings such joy and a feeling of accomplishment!

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much for watching Laurie! I'm glad you have been enjoying the videos 😄 Very true! This first year is all a big experiment 🤭 Hope you get to enjoy your garden this weekend 💖

[@Carol-oc7mx]

WOW what a difference you have made. It's coming together nicely now well worth all the hard work you have put in. - good idea to cover the bare soil to keep the seed sprouting - one way of stopping the weed membrane from fraying is to seal the edges, to do that get hold of one of those kitchen blow torches which has a fine burning flame. Run it along the edges to seal them. You might want to practice on a scrap first to gauge the speed and the height from the fabric before sealing the actual long pieces. This would also allow you to cut shapes to fit around objects eg. circles around trees, - it would make sense that the tree planted in a half buried container is a fig as the have quite invasive roots so it is common prectice to line the sides of a hole/pit, traditionally with old paving stones, to contain the roots. So a bottomless planter would do the trick - use the green netting to cover your arches for support - I think ones of the containers at the back you have referred to as a compost bin might be a rain barrel as it has a base and a tap at the bottom - you have not mentioned if you allotment site has water (some site don't), if not set up as many water butts linked together as you can. Evan if you do have water given our increasingly hot summers and hose pipe bans it might be prudent to do so I'm loving the progress you are making and am looking forward to seeing some crops in the ground

[@rebeccazody1278]

You are doing so good at Claiming this plot. It looks so great. So proud of you.

[@TerribleTim68]

"It's sad, but there's not much I can do." Girl, you've done SO much in a short time. Just stand back for a second and be proud. Seriously. 😎

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much! 🙂💖

[@maryweaver7131]

Just found your videos. You are making great progress. As Sean James Cameron says, “Do a little, and do it often.” Mary from Texas

[@englishtommy3039]

Love the emphasis on wildlife, thanks for thinking of them too 🙂 Subbed, keep ‘em coming please 👍

[@karenjohnson7355]

I use cardboard and wood chips in my pathways. When weed pop up i spray them with a vinegar, salt, and dish soap solution on a sunny day. Burns them up within hours.

[@christineensor6362]

Give your onions a little "haircut" so the leaves dont fall over & tell the bulb it doesn't need to get any bigger cos their job us done.

[@annfarrell528]

you are doing fabulous work! i had 3 sets of potatoes chatting on the windowsill and my husband decided to rearrange them to get more light. He didn't realise i had a method so now i don't have a clue what i'm planting too! Good luck

[@sarahsallotmentjourney]

So much hard work done well done looks just great

[@rachelboulton574]

It's all coming along nicely Seren your almost at 1k subs already my lovely huge well done all the hard work will pay off & if its anything like your art it will be absolutely Beautiful. You can combine your allotment journey with your illustrations the possibilities are endless. I am now following you on here & Instagram sweet happy to be following with you on your journey ❤x P.s you ar such an inspiration to many already ..Thankyou for being you Seren 💗

[@AJJ500]

Have you thought about doing a weed bin for the nettle roots, they will have lots of goodness in them. I fill a plastic bin with water to kill the weed roots, after a few months I start to use the water diluted as a fertiliser. After 12/18 months I put the solids onto the compost bin

[@serensgarden]

Yes! I'll definitely get some nettles soaking so that I can make a fertiliser 😁

[@ShelleyAnderson-g9g]

Wow, what great progress. All your hard work has paid off. Well done.

[@baggy123a]

I feel your pain with all the rubbish. I dug all sorts of rubbish when I had an allotment. Even a lorry radiator. The progress is fantastic.

[@Ragt0p]

Cardboard and woodchip is great for the paths! As the woodchip break down it will make a home for seeded weeds. But not having the weed fabric will make it easier to rake through to disturb them. Roots getting to the weed fabric from above is a pain in the behind 💕

[@TerribleTim68]

I never pay for compost. If you havs a way to haul it, look for a horse ranch. They usually have massive piles of compost they will give away for free. It only costs you some sweat and time. 😉

[@Ephelia1]

You’re doing brilliantly! I’m in awe!! Looking forward to following you as the year goes on 🎉🌺🌼🎋🌾🌻🎉

[@colleenkhan3645]

Cardboard and woodchip definitely a good idea.

[@slwilliams75]

I've just put my name down for an allotment 🤞🏻 and am really enjoying your videos. Keep up the great work

[@gracieshomeandgardens5089]

You did a great job❤❤❤

[@alancooper3982]

use cardboard to supress weeds in the paths, free at most supermarkets!

[@FM-qm5xs]

Cardboard will work just as well as weed mat under mulch. It just wont last as long. You may have to replace it ever year or so.

[@kareninthegarden]

You've done so well in such a short time and your channel has gone made, i think you were under 100 subs when i first watched. Doesn't surprises me tho, you are going to be a star and your plot 😂 thanks also for the sub ❤

[@dannyoutdoors5322]

I would plant your pumpkins away from your other beds as they spread out alot unless your letting them climb

[@Birko64]

Use as much weed membrane as you can. Chucking it away will do absolutely nothing for the environment. My guess is that the previous plot owner put the sheets down for a reason - those weed roots are a big problem. Removing thick rooted pernicious weed from cardboard / chip path means that you might possibly have to dig up the paths every year unless you use a strong herbicide (yuk).

[@tracyfun6918]

If you are allowed you could get some hens for fresh eggs if you're not vegan etc.your doing a brilliant job by the way.just watching your vlogs as not seen them all yet x

[@countryview2020]

You also need to add some manure into the beds.

[@rachelstark2391]

Give onions a haircut after you plant them. And leave the greenhouse door cracked open (may get too hot for the onions while you are away).

[@Hhaahland4]

Can’t get away from micro plastics anymore unfortunately. Any compost, manure or mulch I buy in Australia is full of the stuff. There is always a downside to human inventions, and a bigger problem than it solves further down the line.

[@eddahdiloki5758]

Is it normal people dumping on other peoples plot? You do an amazing job. Love watching what you are doing

[@annettemartensson4523]

A gold medal to you for your hard work to save the plot , and bringing it back to life 👩‍🌾🐞🐝

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much! 🥰 Hopefully there will be lots of 🐞🐝🪲 come spring & summer 😊

[@tess1176]

Just found your channel so I’m binge watching. I would say ‘pick your battles!’-you’re doing an amazing job but the very tiny plastic is probably the least of your problems. As others have said I would also set up a chair so you can sit for 5-10mins every so often. It will rest your back and allow you to admire all the hard work you have done! ❤

[@susiespearing6165]

Cardboard and woodchip will be fine .Its coming together ,well done 🙂

[@johntooth4095]

You are doing a sterling job. Get a few things in and continue to prepare the slot fo next season. At least you'll have some produce to show for first year. Defford put a sign in your greenhouse asking people to stop dumping stuff on your plot

[@myrustygarden]

Looks really good Seren and wow almost 1k subs already 👍. It will be quite rewarding to see things on the go so don’t worry about getting all the beds done at once. Have a fab weekend, Ali 🌦️🇨🇦

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much Ali! 💖💖💖

[@slashieboy]

You kind of look like you are about to break down crying... You are doing a fantastic job girl! People with garden interest around the world are pulling for you! Please keep going!

[@serensgarden]

Oh no, do I really?! 🤣 Promise I'm having fun! 🤭 Thank you so so much!

[@RTCPhotoWork]

I think it was just the wind making her eyes water.

[@maireadf89]

I found your account today and have just binged all your videos so far! My goodness! You’ve done some serious work and that plot is going to be extraordinary by the time you’re done! Can’t wait to see what you do with it! 😊

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much for watching! 🥰💖

[@janetjohnson373]

I am so excited for you all the things you will have in your new plot. It is looking so awesome. Doing a great job.

[@zozomathebula1101]

Dear Seren, you are a courageous young lady. The work you have put in from the get go is awesome. The allotment looks clean and great. There is so much good progress. Keep up the good work.

[@sowenchantedirishkitchenga8282]

Hi 👋 wow you are doing a fantastic job 💚 really well done! It’s such hard work and you are doing yourself so proud. It’s remarkable how much you have done, I’m full of admiration for you, rooting for you (not nettle roots 🤪) looking forward to watching your channel 💚 Geri

[@dlewis895]

SOME GROW ZUCCHINI WITH UPSIDE TOMATO. METAL GROWER SO ZUCCHINNI ARE IN ONE SPOT AND GROWING UPWARD NOT ALL. OVER

[@sarahcook9203]

You’re doing great! It’s a pleasure to watch your plot coming together with all the hard work you’re putting in. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[@georgemartin9618]

You're doing a brilliant job Seren and really piling on the subscribers too .

[@gardentothekitchenwithtracy]

Your doing so well seren, keep going your doing a brilliant job 😊 have a great week ,Tracy

[@Sylvie_M]

Yes to cardboard and woodchip. If weed barriers are plastic, there are nothing but a problem in future. Wheelbarrow Yes! or a dolly. If you haven't hardened your onions off, you may want to protect them from direct sun for a while. If you have access to mulch (not woodchip), you don't need to bury potatoes. They can be laid on top and covered with 6" of mulch of some type. I use dried grass. You are making good progress!

[@wendyhall6522]

Your beds are clear of weeds you really don’t need to put card board first

[@Lisa.Gypsy.C]

The new beds look great! I'm amazed by how expensive bagged compost is in the UK! Fortunately, the previous owner left you plenty of compost bins, you will soon be making your own. I agree, get yourself a wheelbarrow (& may I suggest, a microphone). It's a joy to watch your progress. Looking forward to your next vlog, you are a natural!🌱🐸🌸

[@serensgarden]

Super expensive! 🥲 Thank you so much for watching 💖 (I will be saving up for a microphone 🤭)

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

Cheap suggestion: if you have someone who looks after parks etc, contact them and ask if they are chipping any trees and can you have the wood chips for you allotment. Maybe there is a castle or stately home that has a gardener who might have wood chips. A lumber yard? I'm all for free stuff. Cardboard for your paths would be good. You need about 6 layers.Your compost is cheaper than ours. A similar sized bag here is £7.50 to £8.50 per bag.

[@faith555buffy]

My allotment cost me a lot the first year to get it sorted, even re-using things left on the plot. This year I've still bought 6 bags of compost so far (to add to top of raised beds) and two bags of strulch. But it's worth it as I love every minute at my plot. You're doing amazing.

[@pambrewer9082]

Pumpkin, cucumber, etc that vine will grow up the outer fence saving a little room in your raised beds. You are doing great for your first year and the shape the allotment was in!!!!😅

[@Plotonthehill]

Wow what a transformation. You've put a lot of effort into your plot, wishing you a great growing season 😘

[@cynthiawilliams5090]

Hi you’re doing such a wonderful job you should be proud of how far you’ve come with the allotment,have you spoken to any other people with allotments on your site as many occasions they have a shop where you can buy compost ,seeds etc at a better price than the stores /garden centres.

[@janetsides901]

I’ve been gardening in some capacity or other for 30 years. You are doing great. Don’t get discouraged. When we moved to the house we’re in,I thought I would never have any gardens,but now 11 years later. We have flower gardens,vegetable gardens,and last year we put in raised beds so I don’t need to bend so much. It will get better each year.

[@Beingmemyselfi]

Hi Seren just a tip for the noise, if you can get something like a Rode wireless mic with a lavalier it clips to your collar and comes with a fluffy top - I film indoors so I’m not sure how well it works outdoors but it cuts out my sewing machine noise

[@lindasands1433]

You could probably plant strawberries now too. Looks like you have plenty of containers for them 😁

[@susanwaite4580]

You’re amazing can’t believe what you’ve accomplished so far. Can’t wait to see what you do next

[@lindasands1433]

What a great job you've done so far. You've transformed a rubbish dump into a garden in progress.

[@dereknash3638]

How well you have done in such a short space of time, also congratulations in how quick you have reached 1k subscribers.

[@ruthinater4322]

My sister bought me a collapsible fabric wagon. I use for everything!! Mulch.. harvesting pumpkins..or moving tools. Its ljght enough to just tip and shake out too.

[@777daf]

You should be proud of yourself you are doing a brilliant job good luck from now on Ireland 🤝

[@johntooth4095]

Takes me back. Some years ago I shared a local allotment in portsmouth. It had been unused for some while and required some clearing which was when we found it was very similar to the local stoney beack with some soil added. Potatoes came out the size of pigeon eggs😉

[@carolineholland4178]

Found your channel today and enjoyed every episode! You are doing a fantastic job turning what was a neglected, overgrown dumping ground into a beautiful garden. I'm looking forward to future videos, keep up the good work!

[@CarolFuerst]

It looks so great! You are doing a wonderful job!!

[@serobinson1]

You are doing great! This is a ton of work !

[@dlewis895]

YES. CARDBOARD AN WOOD CHIPS

[@denisebennett3144]

Absolutely fantastic job. Plant beds look great.

[@elainaphillip1790]

That looks like higher quality weed fabric. You should be able to "cut" the edges with a mini torch. It will cut and seal the edge all at once. I watch a channel called Living Traditions Homestead and they use this weed fabric often and that's how they cut it to keep from fraying.

[@m0ther0ne]

Plot is looking good. Don’t forget to sew some rows of carrots with the onions. They are companion plants and will deter each others predators/pests. Keep up the good work, and don’t worry about the potatoes getting mixed up. You’ll know which is which once they grow as the first earlies will grow first lol.

[@hollyjobitner3285]

I was thinking the same. My carrots and hopefully my parsnips are coming up. I planted onions with them. Great minds. 💙

[@rebeccanaylor63]

Well done you are doing a fantastic job. It will all be worth it in the coming months

[@ireneoregan7024]

Totally agree with everyone else’s comments on here, you have already done an amazing job and it will just continue to improve. It’s also so lovely to see young people taking on such a commitment and your work ethic is admirable.

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much Irene 💖

[@sheilafarren5359]

I’m loving watching your videos you are doing such a good job

[@peggylee6086]

Some straw could help you with filling the beds and loosening the soil. Could be used for pathways and then later on mulch.

[@susiea1419]

You have done an amazing job and it’s looking great. There is no need to put cardboard in as you beds are great. It’s fine for paths with wood chip. The worms won’t be able to breath if you put cardboards on so will move elsewhere!

[@Alecmcq]

Nothing wrong with some rotting wood for raised beds! Use what you’ve got… and that’s exactly what you’re doing. Don’t overthink things… clear up, and then plant stuff. Simples.

[@SarahsAllotmentAdventure]

You’re making such good progress! Love watching your posts xx

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

You've worked so hard, you should be very proud. I subscribed. Looking forward to seeing what you make of it.

[@sinkintostillness]

Pick the plastic as you go, unfortunately you'll find it in any bags you bring to the plot anyway. I bought bags of manure to top dress my raised beds from my local garden centre, I keep finding glass and plastic in my raised beds now!

[@colleenkhan3645]

You are amazing. Doing a good job. Definitely care for wildlife and the environment. By the way what is the make and model of your tool for putting in the screws?

[@markpeacock6345]

The woodchip will gradually decompose and make excellent growing medium for weeds, don’t ask me how I know!

[@BoneFrossil]

Question, how do allotments work? Are you renting it? Do you own it? Also how far is it from your house?

[@skipper7216]

Would use cardboard and wood chips in the path ways...you can keep adding wood chips as needed and the cardboard will break down in a couple years ..just toss the weed cloth. Also put up a sign on the front of your plot asking others to not dump trash any longer ..

[@TOPtee34]

Be proud you're doing so well👍

[@tonyryan2107]

Just a suggestion but why not use the Astro-turf for your paths

[@1369davy]

You have done amazing work especially with the nettle roots that would of broke most people keep it up look forwards to seeing your next installment.

[@Richie-boy292]

What an amazing transformation. You’ll be rewarded soon for all your hard work.

[@serensgarden]

Thank you so much ☺

[@delphine88313]

The thing is, if you don't have access to yearly or monthly mulch.The weeds will find a way back up .At least with the weed barrier, it will take time.Of course, nothing is full proof. Lol, your allotment your way .I use both in my backyard( weed barrier with mulch covering), and of course, cardboard.

[@antoinetter6458]

You made great progress. Looking good. The previous owner of my allotment thought that he could compost anything ! So now when I go home, my pockets are full of plastic,wire,glass, bottlecaps etc.etc. One day, my pockets will stay empty, I hope. Robins like mealworms. You can ‘train’ them to come very close, when you feed them.

[@Evvvveee]

Just binged your videos, what a joy to watch and so much work you’ve put in! Keep up the good work and I’m looking forward to see your plot flourishing in the coming months. Also thanks for the motivation on weeding as I’ve got some to do myself haha.

[@astraaj435]

I'd hate to have this amount of plastic around and therefore I'd never put a groundsheet back on the plot. I'm trying to level out the path, then put cardboard and then cover with woodchips. And recently I've learned that if you do this way then actually after 4 years you can harvest your woodchip that have rotten down into a good compost. Unlike groundsheet that is still there as a plastic and all the weeds are growing through, the cardboard would turn into compost too.

[@stuartmcbride8321]

doing well very impressed, by the way The Range are doing 4 x 50lt compost for £10.

[@christine1373]

Your hard work is creating a wonderful space! Robins love freshly cleared and dug areas to get the worms! There are some weed fabrics available that do not decompose and suppress weeds really well but I know you don’t want to spend money so cardboard is a good solution.

[@terrikane8200]

After 5 years, my name rose to the top of the list for a plot in our community garden. It is teeny-tiny compared to your plot. I have much less work to do in my plot but find the work exhausting and rewarding. You are working so hard and it shows. I look forward to seeing how your plot progresses. I know you want to reply to the comments but I would rather you spent your time working in the plot and making videos.

[@karlboland9666]

My own back garden is in a similar state with those tiny pieces of plastic from previous tenants. It's really frustrating and disheartening but we can just do what we can a little bit at a time lol

[@janeb3024]

No need to respond. I am enjoying your videos and living vicariously as it is still far too soon to begin gardening here in southwestern Ontario 🇨🇦. We had snow again just a few days ago!