Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all. I've cleared the jungle, cleared half the plot and planted some onions and have early potatoes sprouting ready to go in. The other allotment holders have told me that I'm not too late for earlies in this bit of Yorkshire so I'm persevering.
My soil is broken and I'm still pulling out taproots etc but I am determined to grow something this year. As I've cleared a good size plot am I better roughly dividing it into 4 in order to rotate stuff next year, or should I just enjoy myself by planting a mix of stuff as I clear more ground? Its just I'm getting really confused when I try to follow my original plans of brassicas, legumes, roots etc and am scared that I won't get round to growing anything.

I'm giving the other half of the plot over to wild annual flowers and buckwheat for this season for the bees and green manure. Is this a good idea?

welcome to the vine!
im new to this too, and ive been fighting a war on weed since i got my plot!
ive also left a large section at the bottom as wild.
we basically did a bit at a time and when it was done sat down and though about what would be best to put there.
we did originally have a beautifull plan which i drew which is now at home in the draw because it just wasnt possible after all the digging and weeding so we have scaled it down a little!
id say clear what you can but if you can set up 4 beds and start planting now then you might aswell remember its fun, and to do what you can and not worry!
ive got four beds and i still havent settled on whats going where, but best thing to do is find out what conditions those goups of veg like and see where they would like to go best!
have lots of fun and dont worry too much there are so many ideas on here it can have you very confused!
someone better will be along soon
cheers
buttercup

Just make sure your wild bit doesn't seed all over everywhere. Many recommend covering it with black plastic or cardboard (weighed down) but if you just strimmed it it would help. It would be heartbreaking to have weeds seeding everywhere. I wouldn't worry about rotation this year. After all, you probably have no idea what went where last time it was cultivated. Just don't worry so much that you don't enjoy it.

Flum

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Hello Beltane and welcome to the Vine. I hope you will enjoy your plot. I would say the perfect plot was never made in a year (or two or three). For this year I would just grow what you want to grow in whatever space you have to grow it in - and enjoy it. Keep notes for yourself so that you can see what worked well and what could have been better so that you can learn for next year. Work your plot up bit by bit.
I like your idea for the wild annuals section but if you want to go down that route you might want to consider making that a permanent wild area. Annuals they may be, but they will seed all around themselves and the seed can be viable for years.
As for the allotment holders who've told you you're too late for earlies - I've no idea what they're talking about. No doubt they've got some time honoured plan that have to go in by a certain date in order to get them out by a date to let the next crop in. I don't imagine that's the game you're in so your potatoes will be just fine.
Good luck with the whole project - and enjoy it.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Re-read the thread Alice and I think you'll find the other allotment holders agree with you??????

Welcome to the vine beltane, can't add anything to the good advice that's already been given!!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

Thank you Snadger. For some reason I read straight past the NOT in "not too late". Sorry about that.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Thanks everyone. I know this sounds daft but when you've planted onion sets, can you see that they've started growing when the little green tip appears or is this what they call 'bolting'?

Hi Beltine,

Welcome to the vine.

Your onions are growing

Bolting is when they flower or go to seed, I think this is normally when it has been to hot and dry and they think it is time to set seed.

I had that problem with my turnips and broccoli last year

Someone with more knowledge ( I am new too ) will be allong soon to tell you more.

Happy growing, Mandy

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No mater when time you set out, you always get there at the same time

Phew thats a relief. Thanks for the advice!

HI Beltane.

We've just got our first allotment & we're fighting the weeds and tap roots, but the 1st bit we cleared properly was planted straight away with potatoes & onions. We were so excited about the whole thing we just wanted to get something planted.

I think it would be very demoralising to be weeding & digging for months then not have anything (except more weeds) growing at the end of it.

Don't worry too much about plans - I think it'll just evolve as you're going along.

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I've had my weetabix...

Agree with you ES! Just take it one step at a time and you'll get there!

Bernie aka Dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things