What advice would you give to a (hopefully!) soon to be allotment holder?

[littlepooley]

Hi - I was wondering what advice you would you to a newbie allotment holder? I haven't got my plot yet but I'm hoping I won't have to wait too long

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody fancied sharing their stories of when they started their plots, and what you would say were the essential things to have/do on an allotment? I'd love to hear peoples stories - and advice would come in handy to

[Alison]

I'm just starting my plot. It was very overgrown but is now cut back and beginning to take shape. I've just got a shed installed which is making a real difference and makes it all seem very real and I now know the neighbours which has helped with the community feel. I was advised to get it cut back and then split it into more manageable bits so that I can feel real progress without it all being too daunting. I now have a scale plan drawn up which will enable me to get the first bits up and running while other sections are covered over to supress the weeds.

[chuffa]

It can be hard work getting an allotment up and running so the first thing is to take your time. Its no good doing your back in, on the first couple of days digging and then having the next three weeks off recovering. Draw a plan of the plot, draw in where you want things to go like shed, water-butt, compost heap, permanent beds for fruit etset. Then decide what you want to grow. Split the plot up into its rotational plan. Collect thick cardboard now so when you get the plot you are at least prepared to cover weeds. As mentioned before, take your time, do little at a time. If part of the plot is not going to be used until next year, cover it with the thick cardboard as this will help to kill some of the weeds. Talk to the other lottie holders, they may give you help. Most of all enjoy it, you have a new canvas to work from.

[Two_Sheds]

Before you get your plot, start reading up some good books (loads of threads of recommendations: Andi Clevely is great on allotments)

Start some lists: what to grow, where to put it (think of crop rotations)

Include your hardware on your plan: shed, water, compost heaps, verandah, hammock

Don't dig it all over before you plant it ... the weeds grow faster than you can clear them.

Clear a patch, then immediately plant it up. Plug plants are better than seeds sown direct in the soil ... in your first few years the weeds will suffocate your seeds.

[landedout]

I am new to this as well, had mine about 8 weeks now. It was an overgrown nightmare of hidden paths, i think the guy who had it before me was in to patio's and crazy paving rather than veg, but nearly there now and have got an area to plant some garlic, onions and broad beans.
The great wether this weekend had the whole family digging and weeding.
I was going to have the plot rotivated now i hve got rid of all the concrete and paving slabs.
However due to the amount of Bindweed in the plot have decided to do it the hard way and dig the bloody stuff out. I find the digging strangely therapeutic (help loosing the plot)
Sorry no pun intended
Mark

[snuffer]

Hi there littlepooley.

I'd have to agree with all that's been said above but most importantly, enjoy your plot when you get hold of it. Ocasionaly things may go wrong, infact it's almost a given that things won't work out has had been planned on every ocasion but don't worry about it. One of the best things about our GYO hobby is that, the following year we start again.

If you get your plot in the near future spend the time between now an spring clearing it. As has been said previously, clear an easily managable piece really well, getting out as much of the perenial weed roots as possible. When it comes to time to start planting you'll hit the floor running and be off to a great start.

HAVE FUN.

[Hans Mum]

get a kettle & camping stove for your shed

[zazen999]

And somewhere to sit!

[littlepooley]

Wow loads of advice thanks The plot I've got my eye on is very overgrown - although apparently in the jungle there is a white current bush (OH gran went scrumping there lol) which would be nice I've just got all OH's family telling me I don't want that plot it's so overgrown - but what are the chances of getting a nice plot!!! Plus I'm stubborn anyway so am determined to rise to the challenge!

[kiwirach]

Hi Littlepooley, i've had my plot for 6months and love it!!. what i did when i got it was cover 1/2 in black plastic to help kill the weeds and in the other half cut out beds so i could get something back from the work i was doing this season....and i did....i have loads of spuds!.
but what i learnt from doing it that way was, i wasnt staying ontop of the weeds i didnt have covered and was providing a wonderful environment for slugs, who moved in, and helped themselves to my peas and beans!!. so now as the season draws to a close, i am working on readying the plot better for next yr. i still have 1/2 the plot covered in black plastic and i have 6 beds cut out.
i am going to work on the weeds in the uncovered 1/2 while maintaining the 6 beds i have, then am going to slowly uncover the rest of the plot, cut out the beds and then recover these only with plastic. i want grass as my paths between my beds as i want to be able to work bare feet in the summer and i need the grass clippings to help generate compost as its only me!. so hopefully by next feb/march, my plot will be in its final shape and the weeds will have been tamed and managable by a lawn mower.....this is what my neighbour does and his plot looks great with lawn(mowed weed) paths!

i built a compost bin from pallets and will cover over the areas for the shed and greenhouse, for whenever i get them!!.

not sure when you're getting your plot, so it may be that there is no time to plant anything, so just work on readying it for next yr and as someone previous has said, you'll be ready to hit the ground running!!.

while i have weeds by the truckload, i love it...i go and potter for a few hours as often as poss, sit in the sun and listen to the birds and am so thankful i was able to get my plot as quick as i did!.

hope my ramblings help in some small way!

[Winged one]

Start small, especially if it is overgrown.

Dig and clear a patch, and then either plant it up or cover it until the spring growing season. If covering, try to lob on some compost, grass clippings, farmyard manure - anything you can get hold of to help the soil - and then cover with cardboard or plastic.

If you don't get the whole plot dug over and growing in one season, that is QUITE ALRIGHT!! I tried to do bits at a time, and plant up what I could the first year, leaving the rest grow weedy (I didn't have plastic early on) and then killing it later that autumn and getting more dug and planted this year. There were some veg to show in year 1, but I wasn't totally overwhelmed by weeds in that bit. And I have a reasonably good harvest this year - and learning lots all the time. Next year should be even better!! I might even get the whole plot working.

The people near me who got their whole plot rotovated (covered in bindweed and couch grass so it all grew back again) and planted a few packets of seeds, gave up because their veg got smothered as the weeds took hold again. We started the same day, but that plot has changed hands again and is making a bit better progress this year as it's slightly more steady progress.

And if you can, clear the ground really really thoroughly when you are digging it over initially. Get rid of every single root you can see, especially if there are things like couch grass in it. You really will feel the benefit of doing it well once.

[geoff]

You need a shed; somewhere to store tools, brew tea, shelter from the rain and work from. If you have to carry everything to & from your plot all the time it will become very hard work, and disheartening

Don't be in a hurry to buy tools all at once; there may be some left on the plot, or very often fellow plotholders will have accumulated lots of spares. Put the word out to friends and family, most people have all sorts of things put away for years, and will be glad to give them a good home; I was given a fork, a wheelbarrow, a hoe, a couple of books, and odds & ends like plantpots, labels, and out of date seeds

Your library will have gardening books, all for free

Send for seed and equipment catalogues for ideas and daydreaming

I was also advised that 'a bottle of whisky's not a bad thing to have in your shed'

[MrsC]

Just started work on mine at the weekend. Cut down 1/4 and aim to finish the remaining by weekend. Have been offered 2 petrol strimmers for this week (which will help). Will then cover 3/4 and work on the 1/4 over the school holidays hopefully. I have help from family to clear etc which is good. I might have the chance of a rotovator but seems wiser (although harder) to dig by hand. Don't have a shed yet but thought I might put up a gazebo to shelter under for the time being if needed.

[MrsC]

I'll let you know in a few weeks if it was a good idea! Although I have a decent sized garden and have grew veg on a small scale I have never grown it on a scale like my lottie.

[littlepooley]

Unfortunately on the site I want to get a plot on, you're not allowed sheds as such - lots of people have built there own sentry boxes (for want of a better description) - so will have to rope OH into helping me construct something, I'm assuming there must be a limit of the size of structures and that is why you can't have a shed - however the sentry boxes are big enough to fit tools in, and I'm pretty small so I should squeeze in there as well lol