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  • #1

    So... where do I start...?

    I have just put my name down for a starter plot - just 50 sq yards. The Secretary said that there are not any available at the moment but they have 2-3 which are not being looked after and they may be giving a warning on them. I'm hoping at least one of them will drop out, so maybe I'll have one by the autumn?

    In the meantime, I would like to start planning and getting some ideas on how to set it out. I know I want the plot for long term crops so if I get it in time for autumn I would like to plant onions and leeks for over the winter. I would keep a lot of my shorter growing crops in my garden.

    In the spring I'd like to plant potatoes, brocolli, cauliflower, sprouts, sweetcorn, carrots.

    Is there a good book, website, blog etc which might give me ideas and advice, particularly about what to plant near each other or not? I know I need to rotate crops around.

    With a plot that small, will I need to worry too much about paths? If so, how wide should they be?

    Anyway, thanks for any advice. I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself but I am praying a I get a plot asap.

    Thanks.
    Likac66

    Living in her own purple world

    Loving gardening, reading, knitting and crochet.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Originally posted by Likac66 View Post
    Is there a good book
    get thee up the local library, and take out everything in the 635 section

    this would be a good start: you can order it and have delivered to your local for collection
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      oooh i have to have all of the RHS veg related books (my sister keep buying me them lol). But my best 2 books that i have and am constantly looking at are carol kliens - grow your own veg and the RHS allotment handbook - both fairly cheap too now aswell (been out a few years).

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      • #4
        I like Allotment , month by month by Alan Buckingham ........
        S*d the housework I have a lottie to dig
        a batch of jam is always an act of creation ..Christine Ferber

        You can't beat a bit of garden porn

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        • #5
          I find the River Cottage handbook on veg very good and have a very battered old copy of it in my lottie shed for easy reference.

          Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

          Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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          • #6
            I am just in the process of giving up a similar sized shared allotment as we now have a 5 rod plot. We dug up our paths and used strips of carpet but then did go back to having two permanent paths. On such a small piece of land paths seems a bit extravagant but it is helpful to be able to walk around and avoid compacting the soil (that was the advice given to me). We also used a couple of scaffolding boards to walk on. 6 of us shared a 10 rod plot and it was very productive. My best crops apart from potatoes were onions, spinach and chard, runnber beans, courgettes and squashes - it really depends on what you like. You can also plant broad beans and garlic in the autumn if you like these. I also inherited a rhubarb plant which was very productive. With careful planning you can grow quite a lot on a small piece of ground.
            A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows

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            • #7
              Just got my allotment

              Hi folks, just joined yesterday. I have just got my plot which is 5 poles by 5 poles, but the trouble is it like a jungle , I am not afraid of hard work, any suggestions. The soil is heavy clay, I did think of a sycthing the weeds and then pulling up the roots, then hand digging or using a rotovator, but I think a rotovator is probably not going to cut much soil. I love some advice and suggestions.

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              • #8
                The Andi Clevely book TS mentioned is great - one of my favourites. I bought the RHS allotment book and wasn't blown away if I'm honest. One I bought years ago was Sarah Raven's The Great Vegetable Plot, which isn't for everyone, but I think is pretty good.
                I don't roll on Shabbos

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                • #9
                  Well, I think I was speaking too soon. The people I spoke to at the allotment gave me the impression that I would be looking at a short wait - a few months. However, I spoke to the allotment secretary today and he said I am no.24 on the waiting list. I asked if all those applicants had applied for a starter plot or a bigger one, but he said everyone has to start on a starter plot unless they've had an allotment before. He said that the waiting list was probably about 12 months.

                  I know it could be worse and other people have waited years and years but I do feel disappointed. I know I could put my name down at others but I have to say, this site is fantastic - running water, security fences, shop, communal area, pond with benches... really friendly and sociable which I really like the idea of.

                  Oh well, good things come to those who wait, huh?
                  Likac66

                  Living in her own purple world

                  Loving gardening, reading, knitting and crochet.

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