New to allotments

[Tantrictantrum]

Hi all,
I have just taken on an allotment (well DH has)
Please could anyone give words of wisdom on what to prioritise and any pitfalls.
I have got some potatoes ready to go in and some rhubarb. Got absolute basics - gloves, boots, spade, fork, rake plus hand tools.
Plot is 21 strides long and 7 wide
Thanks

[shovetheholly]

Come join us in the allotment thread (The Diggers Rest) - lots of posts in the current thread come from people just starting out, and there are loads of great tips in there! Plus, it's really encouraging to see what everyone else is doing each week (and motivating too!)

My main tip would be psychological: if the plot's in a state, the first bit is a lot of work and it can feel overwhelming. Judicious use of weed sheeting over any area you're not dealing with, combined with a plan that involves bringing a small, manageable new area into cultivation each week will see you on top of it in no time!

[iamEarthymama]

I am secretary of an allotment association and I echo sovetheholly
And at this time of year you will get lots of offers of seedings from other plot holders. Do say yes, we love to feel generous.
Don't listen to the "just pour glyphosate on the lot of it" crowd.
I like this book very much as well as Carole Klein's book
And if you can find a space for some chairs and a little table, some mugs and a camping stove, nothing like a cuppa and sit down, surveying your work.

[Tantrictantrum]

Thanks will join as suggested shovethe Holly

I will take a look thank you iamearthymama

[PurpleWithRed]

If you are on Facebook I can heartily recommend the Allotment Life group. And second the Cover It Up approach - if you have cleared ground, cover it up so weed growth is suppressed. If your ground needs clearing cover it up and it will help smother the weeds. If you leave it covered long enough you won't have to do any work to clear it at all (hardly).

[Tantrictantrum]

Neighbour has covered half for us