thinking of getting an allotment

[celiagrows]

im thinking of getting an allotment for me and my daughter to use together.
neither of us have had an allotment before but both love our gardening.
can anyone recommend good products to grow to start off with?
thanks

[ancee]

Beans or peas. Pretty much grow themselves without much help from you! My kind of plants - easy! Welcome to the vine by the way

[Bigmallly]

It all depends where you are, different crops are planted at different times dependant on climate.

[Martin H]

Hi and welcome!

Potatoes are easy too. Plant them at Easter, dig them up when the top growth starts to die.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there, I would recommend Beans and potatoes. But as said by BM it all depends where you are can effect your choice of crop.

[Gillykat]

I've been gardening since I was around 4 years old (47 now!) and only ever grew flowers. In February 2015 I got an allotment and all I can say is GO FOR IT!!!!! I've had so much fun, so much satisfaction, fulfilment and excitement in the past 12 months than in anything else I have ever done I originally thought I would just grow potatoes and tomatoes and mostly concentrate on flowers and that's what I did to an extent....but now I'm completely addicted to growing stuff to eat and positively drool over the veggie seed catalogues

I'd definitely recommend potatoes as they're so easy and break up the soil lovely. I also grew Gardener's Delight tomatoes (with lots of great advice from folks on this forum) and they were SO delicious! Peas (Hurst Green Shaft) were good as well...as were French Beans and Beetroot (Perfect 3) and Lettuce (Little Gem). My strawberries were a hundred times more flavour than shop-bought ones too....tho' I had to share them with slugs and a Vole that lived in the polytunnel This year they're going in hanging baskets so I get them all!

I got a few young plants from Homebase (peas, beans & sweetcorn) as I wasn't sure if I would enjoy them but this year I'm growing most from seed. Wilko do a lot of gardening/allotment equipment (and plants & seeds) at a very good price....I'm like a kid in a sweet shop in our local branch!

Good luck with getting your plot - you'll never regret it! And if you need any advice on ANYTHING just ask on here....no question is too 'silly' as we were all beginners once (I still am haha) and everyone here is fantastic for helping you out with stuff.

[Jungle Jane]

If you're looking for certain varieties this rhs 'award of garden merit' list is very good. I haven't tried out the whole list but what I have tried has been excellent.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/a...and-vegetables

[skeggijon]

The first thing to ask yourself is what do you like to eat?
Potatoes, Peas and Beans are all good to start off with and I think Onions grown from sets rather than seeds are pretty easy. If you like salad, then Little Gem Lettuce.

[WendyC]

You say that you are thinking of getting an allotment. Have you any actually applied for one or have land you can use? Depending on where you are you might find that there is a wait of several years, or even a lifetime in London! Even if you are thinking of applying for one, get on and apply to get in the queue, then even if you decide when your name comes up that it isn't for you, you can decline.

[Lisasbolt]

Helcome to the vine

Some very good advice here, and what ever you decide enjoy

[bramble]

If you dont have an allotment yet you can always grow in continers.
Lettuce, scallions radish and other bits and bobs like herbs and such can be grown very easily in pots and tubs.
Good luck with your project and enjoy.

[dilettante]

I would reiterate what Wendy said. If you've not actually applied yet, do it today, and then you can always change your mind. It is worth finding out where the allotments near you are and going to have a look if there are notices on the gates. I got mine last year because I saw a 'plot's available' sign on the gate. The site is leased from, but not managed by, the council, and I get the impression you are more likely to get a plot if you approach them directly. Good luck!

Beans and potatoes are winners, I love growing salads, even though the slugs get most of mine, just because of how easy it is to grow a large variety. Tomatoes, assuming you stay free from blight, are so easy to grow and so rewarding. I grew my first tomato plant indoors by a window, and I was hooked. I'm hoping to grow enormous numbers of them this year to see us through winter.

[Jungle Jane]

Why not use part of your daughters new huge overgrown garden?
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...elp_88087.html

[iGrow]

Why not use part of your daughters new huge overgrown garden?
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...elp_88087.html

Classic!
Open mouth - insert foot...

[Bigmallly]

Classic!
Open mouth - insert foot...

I think it's a great idea, makes use of a large garden while waiting for a plot which could take years, plus it may help resolve the tick problem at the same time.