Latest update on the allotment development

This is really looking good.
Are the raised beds level, or have you gone with the slope of the lawn ?
Okay to answer under here so others get the info. :o)

Cheers. Maybe the photo doesn't give the correct impression but both the beds and the plot are pretty level.

Yes, the picture is deceptive.
Not likely you would have built those lovely raised beds on a steep incline. :o)

Looks great AN. Will you be able to grow beans over the winter??

Hope so Gilli. They are all through so will need to provide them with some protection so I get an early crop in spring.

What will you use for protection AN? Do you just mulch or do you cover them?

I am trying a mulch from the compost heap.

You'll have to let us know how it goes AN. I've never tried over-wintering veggies here. Mind you, I just dug out our huge veggie plot and replaced with grass and beds. The most I'll grow now is probably some tomatoes and cucumbers. :o)

Some varieties can be grown over winter including this particular broad bean named 'Aguadulce'.They do need protection and I am hoping that I have covered them in time as we have had a couple of nights of severe frost.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you AN. You'll have to post some pics of how they are doing.

Will do Gilli. I notice from your notes that you are a bit of a rose expert. I am looking for a climbing rose as the centre piece for a circular raised bed in the middle of my lawned front garden. Preferably a prolific flowering red variety but am open to other suggestions on colour if a particular variety stands out ahead of others in terms of length of season and amount of flowers. Anyone else got any recommendations?

AN, the David Austin roses are good choices. They are usually very disease resistant and hardy. A lot of DA blooms tend to blow quickly but usually the number of roses makes up for the shortness of the individual bloom length. There is a DA climber called Falstaff that is very nice. It is a deep crimson colour. Falstaff comes as a climber or as a shrub so you would have to be careful which one you are getting. Try these links.....

http://www.davidaustinroses.com/american/showrose.asp?showr=4253
and
http://www.helpmefind.com/plant/pl.php?n=29067&tab=10

There is a short climber called Quadra which is part of the Canadian Explorer series. Very cold hardy - zone 3 with no winter protection. It is only 5 to 6 feet but has a climber type growth.
"True, rich, deep dark red flowers bloom repeatedly throughout the season though most abundantly in early summer. These stunning flowers are large, doubled and are borne alone or in clusters of up to four. Its spreading growth habit can be trained to climb. Resistant to powdery mildew and blackspot".
It is rated quite well especially for northern winters. However, I don't think you would need one this hardy for where you are.
Try this link .......

http://www.helpmefind.com/plant/pl.php?n=5035&tab=1

There is another climber that I have heard good things about but I'm not sure if it available in the UK. It is "Fourth of July". I have heard that it is a prolific bloomer. It is red ,white striped with a moderate fragrance. It's blooms are semi double with a petal count of 15 and growing to a height of 10 feet. Try this link.......

http://www.helpmefind.com/plant/pl.php?n=13992&tab=1

My "reddish" climber is called Night Owl. I haven't had it that long so I don't think it is mature yet. However, it has performed beautifully so far. Night Owl is more of a purpleish colour in cooler weather but changes to more of a magenta in the heat.

http://www.helpmefind.com/plant/pl.php?n=47764

Hope all of this is of some help. Hopefully some of the UK members will be able to suggest roses which would do well in your area.

~ Gilli

Thanks Gilli. I have checked your suggested sites and on the David Austin page there is a climber called Tess of the d'Urbervilles which looks like a really good prospect. I will visit our local rose grower to see what is available including the others on your list and let you know.

I'd forgotten about Tess AN. Let me know what you decide on. :o)

I think I will stick to the 'Tess' option as the David Austin blooms look impressive. My local specialist rose nursery has a number of David Austin varieties but not Tess unfortunately. However I can order on line direct from DA nurseries in Wolverhampton if I can't find it locally first.