Introduction and general advice

[Tensing]

Hi I'm Caroline, We have just taken on an allotment plot and am wondering where to start. The council are going to turn it all over for me but then what.

Any advice or tips would be great.

[Squirrel]

Don't have a plot myself, but welcome to the Vine Tensing! How are the chickens doing? I am presuming that it is the same Tensing that was on another forum!

You will be made very welcome here - they are a mad bunch but delightful!

[Alice]

Hi Caroline, welcome to the vine Where to start indeed Start by planning to enjoy your allotment That means don't take on more than you can manage all at once. Just do a bit you know you can reasonably manage and enjoy while planning for the next bit. You're not too late to start a small salad garden for this year and no doubt some of out expert allotmenteers will be on to tell you what else you can plant now. Get to know the people who have alotments around you and benefit from there experience. Oh, and you could vote in the poll under MAPS - who knows, you may get a map to show when your first and last frosts are expected, vital information for any gardener. Happy gardening

[Tensing]

Hi thank you.

Yes it is me who has just got Chickens, they are fine growing fast.

[Jaxom]

Hi Tensing and welcome to the vine.
Try planning your allotment backwards.
Think what you like to eat. How many people will be eating it? How many you will eat in a week. How long the harvest for said vegetable lasts and then stagger the sowing of these vegetables to prolong the harvest.
This will help you to grow enough to enjoy with out making your first year on the allotment a headache and chore when it should be pleasure and relaxing.

[Sunbeam]

Jaxom - I wished I used that logic when I planted my patch! - I think we are going to have to convert to a diet of potatoes, onions, pea & cauliflowers for a minimum of 6 months! Maybe next year I'll be more think a bit more about what I plant rather than jumping in with both wellies!! Welcome Caroline - looking forward to hearing from you and your allotment escapades!!

[Getoffmylande]

Hiya Caroline.
Just a thought you say that the council are going to turn it over for you just ensure from other people around what the councils work is like on our local allotments the did that for someone and within a few weeks it was as bad as ever.It may be more beneficial to you to go down and do some removal of stuff if its overgrown before they just plough it all in. We've only had ours for just over six weeks but already got in the usual veg and running out of room. Happy gardening

[Sweet Pea]

Hi there Caroline,

Six months into my first plot and loving it!!

Good bit of advice I was given was once it's been turned over, cover any bits of ground you're not planning on planting up in the next few weeks with some old carpet or material of some sorts as it keeps the weeds at bay. Just pulled the last lot off last week to plant the beans and other than the odd dandelion it's completely weed free!