New allotment, where to start?

[snakeshack]

I knew if I put in the time there was an allotment in there somewhere,also I wanted to get an unused allotment back into cultivation.I also thought I had more chance of moving up the queue. as it happens there are 300 spare allotments in harrow.I had the choice of three at this site and......................................................................................................................................this one had a tap!

[Tori]

Sorry bob, but it was good advice! I nearly put on my original post that it was you who suggested it to me but I wasn't 100% sure!

Anyway its great - all credit to bob for finding it!

[Wicked.Witch.Of.Westbury.]

Hi Sarz, well I was only planning on working on half at a time and was hoping that I would be able to do the first half (its not in too bad a state) and then when all that is planted do a little work on the shed because that is what needs the work, but thought I may aswell get some sowing done before doing work on there. Or maybe leave the shed and start work on the other half... I dont know yet only had my plot 3 days lol. Will maybe try and upload a few pics when I figure it out eh??

x

[SarzWix]

Wicked Witch, if your allotment lady says it's fine, then I'm sure it's fine. But if you're anything like the rest of us, you'll more than likely go way overboard with the seed buying, and have most of it planted by June

Welcome to the Grapevine by the way, you'll find lots of good advice here, and we don't bite (I promise ) so don't be afraid to ask.

[Wicked.Witch.Of.Westbury.]

I just got an allotment of Sunday (am very giddy about it)... the last time I was on an allotment is when I was a girl with my Grandad.

When I went to look at it I did ask the lady showing me around if I could cover some and work on some to begin with, she said as I had paid my rent up and covering it would keep it neat that is wasnt a problem. I was probably best working with a small patch and looking after that well to start off with. But after reading some of the comments on here am a bit worried about it now.

The ground is in good condition but the shed is a bit worse for ware!!

[SarzWix]

Flippin Nora That's some work you've put in there snakeshack!

[snakeshack]

got my plot in september will try to attach pics of the first day and now.the first picture shows my first view,yes its the other side of the tap.picture 2 shows my two unsuspecting victims who said they would "do a bit" for a case of beer,they are about half way up at this stage. the last picture shows the raised beds starting last saturday.No help from the council on this one, attended a council meeting & asked a few questions,now I'm the site rep too! should have sat on my hands there too.
I don't have a problem with covering with plastic etc if its temporary and short term but I reckon you should be aiming to cultivate as much as possible in your first year.

[Beetroot Bob]

Well I can see both sides of the arguement - but that's my job I am a teacher! Anyway back to the origional post

Your plot looks lovely - congratulations, while its frozen solid do some planning. www.growveg.co.uk - this is a great website for veg growers and it comes with a months free trial. Get planning! and enjoy
xx

Oi thats my link !!! How dare you !!

Little and often was the way we got ours sorted. We got our 1st dig finished just in time (boxing day) before it was frozen solid until last week.

We were given 1/2 a plot (along with 3 other people who started the same time) and given 3 months to do something with it or you're off. To date we're the only people to have finished and only 1 of the others has touched their halfs and they's just dug about 3ft of thiers. We've already asked for the other 1/2 of our plot but have to wait until 1st March to see if the other people make a start.

I'd make a start as soona s you can or you'll find that you're still digging when you want to be planting.

[Tori]

Well I can see both sides of the arguement - but that's my job I am a teacher! Anyway back to the origional post

Your plot looks lovely - congratulations, while its frozen solid do some planning. www.growveg.co.uk - this is a great website for veg growers and it comes with a months free trial. Get planning! and enjoy
xx

[Paulottie]

Firstly, I didn't say 10 rods was too much to dig over in one year. Only that some people can't do it in one year. That's no reason not to give them a plot. They might take two years to get a neglected plot into full cultivation, then be brilliant tenants for a decade or more.

Secondly I didn't say my plots were all offered to me this year. I've had them ages. They're all nicely dug. Where do you think the Allotment Gardener comes from?

Personally, I find the idea of giving allotments only to people who are physically fit and have plenty of time on their hands quite offensive. Why should anyone be excluded? All we need is more land to be set aside for extra allotments.

Perhaps you think only people who know how to spell and punctuate should be allowed on web forums?

Calm down Pauls!! I agree with SarzWix

Whilst I accept that the ideal, indeed the legal requirement, is for councils to provide enough allotments to cover demand. (and not by cutting 10 rod plots in half as you wisely pointed out) The reality is that the surge in demand means managers should weed out joker tenants. If people are prepared to reclaim bramble patches they should be given leeway but, rented in reasonable nick, I think if you can't at least dig over; grow spuds and squashes; or put in your raised bed structure in the first year.... your plots too big/allotments are not for you. They are places to feed your family not leisure gardens. If nothing is happening then it needs to put put into service for others

I can normally tell within 10 mins whether someone is a time waster or a worker...I have also made the mistake of renting to folk who failed in the previous 2 seasons...they are just NOT going to manage it this time either! If you need the plots they have got to go. You just get a sea of weed seed floating around.... You then have to establish whether or not there is a reason; issue a warning; upset people etc. before you can strim/plough it to keep it in reasonable order...too much grief.

Other folk are plodders but you know they'll keep coming back and get it done. After 8 years on the plot I just know the difference!!! It was good for amusement when there were four of us up there but in the last couple of years we are now near capacity.

And while I am completely for allotments being for all without discrimination, If you can't physically (time or otherwise) cope. It is just a pipe-dream and not fair on anyone... to take on a plot without a good plan who IS going to do the physical work, initial and long term, is not seeing the reality of veg growing. It is very rewarding but ,after all hard work! I really enjoy your enthusiasm and encouragement for people getting allotments but they must be realistic.

Just as well We've got spell check then!

[Claire Hart]

Hello everyone.

Last Sunday I took over a plot at the local allotment and now I have no idea where to start. Where do all you experts advise me to start first?


It's a nice size but overgrown with grass. In the middle I have 4 blackcurrent bushes and at the back a plum tree. The structure of the raised beds already there need seeing too but that should be easy to sort out.



Thanks for your help!

Hi- lucky you getting such a super plot- so many folks are waiting for allotments these days (hence Hugh Fearny Whittingstalls Landshare project!). Well with the wetaher as it is- (wet and windy) I'd personally start with a nice cuppa and sitting down with my seed catalogues in a warm , toasty room, and planning at this stage! Better to sit down and have a plan than waste alot of effort , rotivating (difficult if wet or too hard with frost) and digging and then finding out that you might be able to grow stuff in Gro-sacs or conatiners! Wish you all the bst with it. Enjoy! Claire Hart

[PAULW]

Sarah has hit the nail on the head, I have never said that plots should not be given to people that are less than able, and as for time the problem IMO is people watch the likes of GW whole plot dug planted and harvested in a half hour show and think that looks easy, on top of which contributers to gardening magazines come out saying "it doesn't matter if you dig your plot or not just cover it in plastic and take your time, a year two or ten you will get there in the end" the plot goes from messy to really messy to a plot that needs an air strike with agent orange, two hours a week with a little application over the winter is all that is needed to bring a plot to fair order.

[SarzWix]

Personally, I find the idea of giving allotments only to people who are physically fit and have plenty of time on their hands quite offensive. Why should anyone be excluded? All we need is more land to be set aside for extra allotments.

I think this is a tough call really. The plot next door to mine has had virtually nothing grown on it for the last 2 years, the reason being that the plot holder has taken on lots of extra shifts at work and his wife "can't manage it yet because the children are too young". So they are basically 'holding' the plot mostly covered in plastic until.... When? He retires? The kids are grown up?
This plot, in my opinion, should have been given up last year. But when they get the non-cultivation letter, they come for the weekend, plant some garden centre veg, then leave it to get overgrown & the plants get eaten by pests. Then they put plastic over it again....

On the other hand, I have HMS, and back problems, but managed to have about 2 thirds of my plot under cultivation within 6 months, and all of it within 12, using a combination of digging and lasagne style gardening. (hang on while I just polish my halo... ) And a plot across the way has been similarly fettled by a Paramedic who works long hours and has a 1 year old little boy.

I really do think it depends on a person's outlook whether a full
plot, overgrown or otherwise, can be brought into full cultivation within a year. If you are determined enough, it can be done, even with disabilities or time restrictions.

[Paul Wagland]

So Paul are you going to dig one this year, one next year and one the year after seeing as you think ten rod is to much in one year.

Firstly, I didn't say 10 rods was too much to dig over in one year. Only that some people can't do it in one year. That's no reason not to give them a plot. They might take two years to get a neglected plot into full cultivation, then be brilliant tenants for a decade or more.

Secondly I didn't say my plots were all offered to me this year. I've had them ages. They're all nicely dug. Where do you think the Allotment Gardener comes from?

Personally, I find the idea of giving allotments only to people who are physically fit and have plenty of time on their hands quite offensive. Why should anyone be excluded? All we need is more land to be set aside for extra allotments.

Perhaps you think only people who know how to spell and punctuate should be allowed on web forums?

[SAFIA]

wow i was jsut going to say do what you can when you id definatetly get those raised beds going as they look an ideal place to sart and go from there, i was also going to say there is no rush rome wasnt built in a day, ive had my plot a year but due to work 2 little children and the weather oh and bind weed grrrr i havent been able to do as much as i would have liked and have not been able to do my whole plot yet but after reading the last few comments i darent say anything