Watch This Before You Have An Allotment | Allotments For Fun and Food

[@rebeccazody1278]

I love my garden and enjoy the hard work. At 69, I feel if I stop now, I will just die. So I keep going and enjoying the ride. Great videos. Those weeds are just doing what they are programmed to do also.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Plenty of gardening years ahead Rebecca……I agree with you where fitness is concerned it is a case of use it or lose it……take care Malc

[@spritzpistol]

We have a mix of cardboard to line the raised beds as a base layer, cardboard laid and wood chips for paths, and grass for paths. We keep the raised beds full of produce all year round which stops weeds growing and we weed 10 minutes every time we go to the allotment around the fruits etc , we leave dandelions, daisy’s for bees and pick the heads for balms. The weeds are allowed to flower but not seed. We spend an hour 3 times a week in winter tending the plot and and 2 hours every week in summer….growing season.

[@davidtaylor7242]

I to use the weed suppressant woven fabric all over my allotment. I have found it has freed up so much time to look after the crops instead of de-weeding all the time. I also do not dig the ground over every autumn but instead, use green manure as a cover crop and just cut and drop in spring then cove the plot. These small changes have changed the way I garden so much I find time at the plot more enjoyable and relaxing plus getting better harvests and more crops. Must admit you still get weeds but it is so easy to de-weed, no hoeing, just pull them out by hand, job done, and only have to de-weed covered areas once every 10 - 14 days. Have done vids on my channel showing the progression from a weed-covered plot to what it is like today. All the best to you and Mrs. K.

[@karenharkness4847]

What type of green manure are you using? I am no dig so am keen to learn the ones you can chop and drop and mulch with.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks David, it sounds like a great strategy and its so important to get benefits from your plot to keep motivation high …..take care Malc

[@GardeningWithJohn]

Hi Malcom, you've hit the nail on the head there mate. We have lots of new tenants that start and soon realise the work and time involved and just neglect the plot before finally giving it up, it's a big percentage of new tenants. I, like you, took over the next plot to me, it had 4ft plus high weeds etc. We regularly have the issue of unkept plots, which is a shame, and no matter how well you keep your plot, weed seeds come in every year. We have lots of nasty weeds, but like I've said to you before, Bind weed is really bad here and all the above doesn't help. I was on my knees weeding myself earlier 😀 All the best, John

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks for that John, its been the same experience on our small allotment site, hope you knees are holding up lol…..take care Malc

[@michellejones-thewonkygard452]

I find that the weed membrane is okay(ish) for stopping the larger leaved weeds from coming up but the thinner leaved ones tend to poke through the mesh and get a foothold, or the roots will penetrate it especially if there's a bit of dirt on to as well. I find thick cardboard works the best as it becomes stodgy and thick when wet or damp and that stops everything coming up and makes it easier for the self seeders to be pulled. Putting a 6ft trellis with a climber on it upwind from the main area of where the wind borne seeds tend to collect really helps to minimise them as the plants climbing the trellis tend to 'catch' the floofy seeds ♥

[@MalcolmKingswell]

All good advice Michelle, and yes I am suffering from weed coming through the membrane so I know exactly what you mean….take care Malc

[@harrybrown3657]

Thumbs up for the ground control fabric! Allotments are not for lazy types. Initially they take hard work to get in order, and then there is always regular work to be done. If your a grafter the rewards can be handsome, but a lot of people haven't got the get up and go that's required week in and week out. I like the speed that Malcolm weeded his onions.. It takes me ages ☺

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Boris, I agree with you…..take care Malc

[@Canna1d]

What a great video. The good and the bad but with a very positive outlook.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks, I think its important not to scare people away but also be realistic……take care Malc

[@sweetpea6384]

Always admire your enthusiasm, dedication and work ethic! Watching you keeps me going when I start to lose my own drive. Thanks for all your videos.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Sweet Pea, I am so glad that it helps……take care Malc

[@hepagene]

My allotment is more weedy - but I enjoy weeding as I can get a close eye on the crops and check for issues. I use brick paths the grass looks good but maybe more work. Watering has been very time consuming this year so I moved to a battery pump from hauling watering cans from the IBC tank. I did lay fabric on my fruit beds due to heavy bindweed infestation I inherited. But to disguise the look I wood chipped the area. The birds love throwing the woodchip around but I reckon the birds remove some pests so it is acceptable. Nice plums I have two - yes two this year! Sandra

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Sandra, it is useful to get down low I agree. Great idea to put wood chip on top. I feel so lucky to have a tree full of plums……hope they ripen Malc

[@talltalesandothershenaniga8358]

Another great video Malcolm - would love to see how you make that rhubarb wine (without upsetting Mrs K)

[@MalcolmKingswell]

If I get another cropping of rhubarb ill consider that …….many thanks Malc

[@myrustygarden]

Your garden your rules and we all make decisions based on what works best for us. I think you have a great attitude about what you do and the environment 👍👍. Weather is a bit of a gong show still but it will get there and level off soon. Lots done and thank you for sharing have a fantastic week 🐝 safe

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Ali, as you say its about what works for each gardener as long as we are growing food and having fun its all good……take care Malc

[@mikes3942]

I love making my own compost and weeding is a supply of greens, so I have a positive slant on this job. Works for me and the satisfaction after a finish, just like your Onion bed, really gives satisfaction. Net those cherries, the bird will whip them with a hint of red, its a hard job but a net applied over the top then tied into the trunk below should do it

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Mike, thats a great attitude and thanks for the tip….take care Malc

[@katherinewright7963]

Enjoy your videos, I have 3 raised veg beds and a few buckets. I pack in as much as I can. Even these small areas are time consuming and I work full time. In my 5 year plan, I will be retired and hopefully moving to my forever home with a garden big enough for more raised beds, keep going you are an inspiration !

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Katherine, your plan sounds very similar to mine, I hope it will all come to fruition for you…..take care Malc

[@mandytaylor1008]

Hi malc we have 3 plots altogether now so quite big area and we only get there in evening. If we weren’t no dig it would be difficult. We do have weeds and under our fruit trees apples pear etc but I have flowers and weeds growing under there deliberately for wildlife. We don’t use Plastic membrane unless we have an area we not gonna get to and it’s gonna be empty for a little while or we put cardboard down. We have the normal common weeds no marestail tho as I didn’t no wat it was till I watched you. Biggest problem for us is quoche grass and bindweed in spring we let dandelions flower for bees.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

It sounds to me like you have a great plan for balanced control of your weeds, I think we all have to find a method that we like and can manage. It sounds like the Quoche grass is everywhere….take care Malc

[@shelliejax6527]

Aw Malcolm I miss your videos! Hope you finally got your shed up and running and are happy with the downsized plot. It would be lovely if you did an update at some point so we could see how it all turned out for you ❤

[@sandrinefresne6575]

Warm weather coming back this weekend, do not despair 😞 You sowed your tomatoes later than I , but you already have more fruits … 😢 goes to show that there is no rush when sowing! Lots of pears but they seem to remain small so I have thinned them . And lots of peaches or apricots ( no label ) to come 😀 Have a nice week.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Sandrine , I am sure your toms will come through well but it is interesting to see how things catch up after later sowings. Apricots sounds amazing , I don’t think they would ripen here but you have started me thinking lol……..no labels = pleasant surprise ……….take care Malc

[@mandytaylor1008]

Didn’t have any blossom on plum tree this year so no plums had a few last year but tree is only 4 years old. We have never had white rot very little rust. We do well for diseases pests are mainly slugs flea beetle birds and cabbage white. Not had much carrotroot fly either. So we net where necessary. Last year didn’t net sprouting broccoli and they were stripped to veins but I covered them after getting rid of caterpillars and they regrew amazingly and had a good harvest👍if they don’t get the heart then they will recover

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Mandy, just shows how all our gardens are different but still present challenges …..natures way of saying earn your food and share with nature I guess……take care Malc

[@katrinkatterman3069]

Hi Malcolm, your video inspired me to get out and weed my blueberries. I’ve got 8 in-ground bushes with woodchip mulch around them and there were so many weeds you couldn’t tell where the bushes were…and two of them are 6’ high! All cleared now though!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Well done Katrin……don’t you just love blueberries we have a large bush in the garden which is laden…..just need to keep the birds off …….take care Malc

[@gardenofglory8275]

Hi your garden is still looking great everything is blooming, was late watching your vlog because my mum pass Wednesday evening so I decide to watch this morning just for a little while.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

I am so sorry to hear that your Mum passed……take care Malc

[@anitahaywood9827]

Good advice, I took on a second plot, I just cant get it under control, riddled with bindweed and other things. I've given it almost a year I'm going to call it quits on the second one come Jan and concentrate on one plot just going to be more creative with space 😀

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Anita, sometimes a renewed vigour on an existing plot drives a lot more food production, I am sure it will for you……take care Malc

[@garry8330]

I was thinking back several episodes when you had mentioned you would do a "chicken video" for several of us that are interested in your hens, the different types and breeds, the food they need, egg harvesting, keeping them dry and warm and any other important issues that you have with your hens each month. That would be a new topic for you to get your teeth into Malc!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Garry, my chickens are winding down now , Ive lost a few from old age so may be one for the future …..many thanks Malc

[@Paula_T]

We only get 7 inches of precipitation a year, and I am STILL battling weeds all the time. With your weather there I'm impressed you can keep up at all. Well done.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Wow Paula thats not much rain and those weeds still manage to fight back…….more power to your elbow……take care Malc

[@anitast.9043]

I also think my garden is a mess but other people who visit over look the weedy messy bits. Your garden is beautiful. I tell visitors that the weeds are the "wilderness " part of the garden since it's sectioned into different rooms. In honour of our British heritage we built a miniature Allotment here in Canada complete with a small poly tunnel.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

I guess we look too close Anita and as you say we are probably our own worst critics. Great to hear about your allotment, thanks for sharing……Malc

[@rodneywheaton599]

Great video very good information Thanks your allotment looks great!!!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Rodney, glad it was useful……take care Malc

[@startingfromseed3]

Hello m8. Love your garden and videos. The effort of gardening is as much or as little as the gardener wants it to be. I think we sometimes focus too much on everything being perfect when it’s completely possible to grow food in a non perfect garden. I find beauty in cultivated land mingling with natural habitat. We all know that nature and God do it best. God bless!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

So many good points you make….take care Malc

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

I've spent 2 mornings, about 5 hours work, hoeing, raking and hand weeding. I still have the other half of my 320 square yards plot near Stockport. I have no plastic on the plot I have a brilliant wide rake, and I widely space my crops so that the rake will pass between them. In theory!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Great Job Jacqueline, those weeds are challenging us in this mixed weather we are having …..thanks for commenting Malc

[@tonyr7393]

Weeds - I'm using them along with other random green waste material to make voluminous amounts of free liquid fertiliser. Simply steep in a large barrel of water for a while before using. So far the crops receiving the feed seem to be flourishing as a result and i'm yet to see any issues. With the inevitable price increase of all the shop fertilisers i think it's a no brainer to be making as much of your own as possible. I've even learned to appreciate the old dandelion - they are packed full of healthy nutrients, so get into a routine of adding a few of those to your daily salads that you need to start eating before they all bolt! Even when you don't have a set agenda for your video you still manage to keep things interesting. There's a knack to that, that many others don't have.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Tony, thats such a good idea , I think ill do some weed soup on the plot and see how I get on……take care Malc

[@valoriegriego5212]

Howdy Malc!👋 It's sweet y'all are getting to reap the reward of your hard work on the raspberry area!👍 Really enjoyed your advice.🙂 I mostly grow in containers...a container garden of 30+. I have very little weeding, but challenges folks who grow in raised beds or in ground don't have. Gardening can be as little or as much work as one wants. I encourage folks to grow what they can handle and what they enjoy. A recent study found that gardeners have stronger bones as we age...due to all the lifting.😃

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thats sound Advice Valorie, and as you say container gardening has its own unique challenges, Mrs K has a garden full of containers and she spends a lot of time keeping it looking great…..take care Malc

[@Carol-oc7mx]

@@MalcolmKingswell Hi Malc would Mrs K let us have a peek at that?

[@marcwhaley390]

Hi Malc When I got my allotment it was very overgrown and had been abandoned for years, I had no choice but to use polythene sheets & weedkiller (1st year only) . But it's what I needed to do in order to get my allotment into a usable sate. I still use the polythene sheets to control weeds , because of my job it could quickly get out of hand as I work away 2/3 nights a week. But any spare time through the week is spent at the allotment & all weekends (it's a good job I have a very understanding wife) Great video.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Marc, It just shows how important it is to have a balanced approach and……….have an understanding wife ……..take care Malc

[@pennythompson4790]

Its all looking goodxx

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Penny…..take care Malc

[@majordog2399]

Still missing your wisdom and experience malcolm,all the best.

[@digitalcomposer2000]

I used much less plastic which worked in surpressing weeds. But I left the rest of the plot exposed during April / May so by end of June the plot was covered in grass. Hard work clears areas a bit at a time. I have more plastic and the allotment has a pile of wood chip for everyone to use. So using wood chip in walking areas and plastic.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Julien , sounds like you have it working well for you, its so important to have time to do the other things on a plot……take care Malc

[@KenHJones]

I can't even get on a waiting list for an allotment here in Gower. So use my steep sloping garden as best I can. Our main weed is mares tail but it pulls up easily enough.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Its so hard to get allotments in some parts of the country Ken, I bet that slope has some real challenges ….good for you for making great use of it…..Malc

[@rebeccazody1278]

Malc- I miss you and your allotment work. Hope life treating you and the Mrs. Well. Merry Christmas.

[@shockwave-zv7fh]

So right about an allotment being hard work. I used to really enjoy my time on the allotment, but gave it up last year when it became too much of a chore and very much NOT an enjoyable experience.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Its important to know when its too much, Im sure your time is well spent on other things…..take care Malc

[@Jimsraisedbedgarden]

Thanks for the update Malc , as usual I loved it 👍

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Jim , glad you enjoyed it….Malc

[@patdelaney191]

Sometimes plastic has its place. The type you use lasts for years and is sometimes a necessary evil. I think it's the one use only plastic that we can all do without. Keep on keeping on, you're doing a great job 👍😊

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Pat, I totally agree……take care Malc

[@carlagarrett8584]

bare ground means weeds, your membrane would definitely help with that so much. You can pull weeds and cover the same bare ground with them, they rot back for plant food, and they keep the spot covered. you can add short helpful weeds like clover or dandelion to cover unused areas but I don't find that much helpful except in the actual grass areas, even if they are edible. As we grow older, I have found grass in the onion sets help keep them upright, and other weeds can grow quite large before pulling them to add to the rot-pile. sometimes its okay just to leave some of them.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Great points Carla, I think we will always battling with the weeds for sure….take care Malc

[@patjoyce7247]

Hi Malc, I think you do a great job. It is flippin hard work! But the rewards are worth it. You have got a huge plot, seems about three times the size of mine. I’m still recovering from illness so I haven’t done anything for two weeks! You know what it’s like to be away from the plot for two weeks, but that’s partly why I watch honest cheery chaps like you, always trying to be motivational and showing the positives. My most hateful weeds...clover, shamrock, docks, nettles but the worst is couch grass (twitch) I hate it. Keep it up Malc we’re with you!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Pat, I do hope you recover quickly and are back at those weeds soon….take care Malc

[@TuftyMcTavish]

👨‍🌾 I'm pretty much on top of the McTavish Manor Gardens at the moment, which means more #HammockTime for me! 😆 Things are just ticking over - past the 🍓 glut, just about to have the annual 🍅 glut - as thoughts turn to Winter sowings, rather eye openingly. So I’m mainly taking pictures of things so that I can track progress through the year for comparisons and refinements in future season. I normally fall asleep each night pondering the ToDo list, but right now I'm really just on maintenance duties - so, yes, I very much do know what you’re on about in this episode! But after the utter pandemonium of completely overhauling my garden from late 2019 through to the tail end of 2021, it is so nice to finally be calm. #GoodTimes

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Good for you Tufty , your planning is paying dividends now…….Hammock time……wonderful…….take care Malc

[@jacquelinewhittaker4651]

Always interesting to tune into your videos Malcolm. You make a good fellow traveller on allotments. This week I have recommended 4 You Tube Allotment vlogs, on our new site noticeboard. Your You Tube channel is the first of the 4

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Jacqueline that is very generous of you thank you very much, I do hope the folk enjoy the videos…….take care Malc

[@MIck1-10]

Keeping a tidy allotment is a full time job.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

It certainly is Michael….take care Malc

[@patjoyce7247]

And I might add, it takes a lot of extra time to do the KZbin vids. Thanks for sharing.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

The channel does take a bit of time but at least I can sit in the armchair and do that bit lol……..Malc

[@barrymorgan7215]

Hiya Malcolm ,how are you getting on mate ,really miss your videos

[@garethrossbuddell9436]

I had an allotment in Bishopston, I'm negotiated to keep chickens as well as to take water from the river. I had no written contract being assured that it was a cordial arrangement. This all changed when a member of the parish council started managing the allotments. Changing from what I had paid for to something that was and unachievable without water. Now it looks like I have to take the church of England to court to enforce my rights.

[@jennieleon5087]

Very sensible advice 😊

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thank Jennie…..take care Malc

[@sanjivanigarden7353]

Nice garden 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌿🌿🌿🌴🌴🌴👍

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Sanjivani……take care Malc

[@izzywizzy2361]

Hi Malc, I really don’t think you have any more weeds on your plot than usual, in fact your plot is really well kept! I agree that no dig helps with weeding as the weeds tend to come out more easily but they still grow, that is part of nature! I love my allotment, it gives me exercise, delicious food and an important role in the household endeavour as well as company of other allotmenteers. That does not mean it can also be hard work, but I am not afraid of that!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Issy, I think the exercise does me a lot of good too and I know the food does……take care Malc

[@TheGDJames]

It could be argued that you don't have enough weed control sheets down, and that you could/should have it instead of those grass paths and woodchip paths.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thats true GD, I need to help myself more with those paths at some time in the future…..many thanks Malc

[@mandytaylor1008]

We don’t have boards on our beds they open and paths are all wood chipped. All the weeds pull up easily unless it’s grass along a fence. Also dock is a nuisance as roots go deep

[@MalcolmKingswell]

I know what those docks are like Mandy, wood chip paths really help, I need to make more of those….take care Malc

[@ΚαλλιοπηΓαβαλα-φ9π]

omg! great job 👍 tell me something please. How you keep your back in such a good shape? kind regards from Eastbourne East Sussex. Kalli 😊

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Kalli, well I’ve been lucky I guess, I am tall so I have to be conscious of how I lift and make sure my knees are doing the work not my back. I tend to get down on my knees rather than do much standing up too…..hope that helps…..P.S. my trousers always have dirty knees lol…..take care Malc

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

Allotments are hard work! Not everyone can commit!

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Agreed to a real challenge for some

[@markshaw5835]

Great video, u got lots of pears growing, shame about the ruburb wine. Gardening is all about weeding, I do admire how u always come up with good videos most be differcult

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Thanks Mark, I guess weeding is worth the effort when I get to drink the wine and eat those pears ……take care Malc

[@helenkoenig3876]

weeds - despite weeding (this is the first year under cultivation) right now it is a weedy mess! Actually though, the beds (with one exception, of course - the parsnip and carrot, salsify and scorzonera bed) themselves are weed free - due to the much hated black plastic. BUT the paths are horrible! and since next year hopefully I will be able to move into my permanent home, I will have the first year all over again (new garden will be about 1/4 mile from here) - and it is and has been a hayfield (timothy hay) for years. While it won't have been trod down like this garden has been, it will be FULL of timorthy hay seed as well as other grasses. HOWEVER, there are quite a few changes to be made which may help. starting with putting some sort of barrier over the whole thing this coming fall - or as soon as my son says I can. Then continuing with black plastic or cardboard on the pathways and covering with woodchips. Part of the question in my mind however has to do with the size of the garden - just for myself, for the 10 member of the family group?, or consider a small market garden concern? Each has its attractions - and its challenges.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

That sounds like a wonderful project Helen, I think a market garden will bring a lot of pressures , it may be best to grow for a year or two and then evaluate……either way its going to be a lot of fun…..take care Malc

[@lesleybonarius2085]

Lots of weeds on my plot, especially after rain......

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Wed are all in this together then Lesley……take care Malc

[@mandytaylor1008]

Do you not take out side shoots from toms? Have never grown parsnip in seed trays always sow direct and carrots only things I do.

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Mandy, my tomatoes are the bush types and so they do not need side shooting, it saves a lot of effort but restricts what varieties you can grow…..take care Malc

[@debbieporter8610]

I Would Love 1, There Are No Allotments Anywhere Near Where I Live

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Sorry to hear that Debbie , I know some folks are struggling to get an allotment……take care Malc

[@debbieporter8610]

@@MalcolmKingswell Thank You For Replying To Me. I Do Have A Garden So I Am Very Lucky To Have That. I Grow In Pots, Better Than Nothing. Stay Safe.

[@annettetutalo113]

Can I ask where you sourced the weed membrane? It looks more long lasting than what I have currently Thanks

[@MalcolmKingswell]

Hi Annette, from Amazon, the key is to buy the heavy weight membrane which is usually listed in the details. The heavier the better, I think its measured in grams per square meter…..hope that helps Malc

[@paulinelee9483]

Hot water from kettle weeds got art the root

[@deanotaggo9788]

OMG mate you don't travel to help do you? Make good content (my way of getting a professional like you to help 😂) I've been waiting 10 years for my plot. From 2300 on the list to 1500 after 6 years, then I believe COVID helped me a little. R.I.P. Got my keys yesterday after 3 weeks ago viewing a few plots. Very lucky. When I seen the one, it WAS the one. But it's an absolute mess. Lucky for me it has 2 apple trees fully grown and fruiting, plum, pear, raspberries etc but I'm new to this and it's overloaded with weeds. And junk everyone else has thrown on it. There's much more I'd like to say and ask, I can see potential but don't know where to start, would you advise I simply strim everything for a clearer view then weed everywhere and start planting next year. I want to make an impression to the others around me, as it's a community really isnt it? Any chance you can help Sir? Thanks in advance for any help or advice given. Regards Dean