Help me make my allotment ok at this time of year

[SpotOfWeather]

We've only got our allotment last year and managed to clear it of stones and rubbish and keep it more or less weed free. We grew some veg last year. This year we were busy with the house move and so we've not been to the allotment at all. What can I do now that could make it look ok? I'm thinking of getting the weeds out and making it a flower garden of sorts perhaps? But what can I grow given that I'm so late to the party this year? Allotment is small, 15 by 20 meters maybe, and I'm a complete beginner. I'm looking for easiest possible solutions please.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Step 1) come and join us on the allotment/veg growing thread

Step 2) do as much weeding as you can bear

Step 3) cover loads of the area with cardboard, or membrane, and grow courgettes or squash through a small hole? The plants will spread and sprawl and will cover the cardboard.

Or maybe take a trip to a garden centre and buy a few plants that take your fancy? Tomatoes, beans...

You're not that late. You could still grow beans from seed, and courgettes etc too I think.

[shovetheholly]

Great advice from Zebra. I'd cover whatever you're not using and focus your attention on making as many beds as you can get going in the time you have. If you buy plug plants, you can still grow loads of stuff - courgettes, beans, brassicas, tomatoes etc etc etc

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Obviously you need to join us on the allotment thread as Zebra said. We will teach you all about tomato armpits and bokashi bins and moan about slugs.

It's really not that late, it's been so cold until recently. You're probably a bit late for potatoes but most other things you could either get plants or sow seeds for. What do you like to eat?

Beans, brassicas, leeks, beetroot etc all good. Of course a lot will depend on soil type and roughly where you are.

[ProfYaffle]

I'm only just starting to plant out. As LetThere says, it's been quite a cold spring, I've had trouble getting some seeds going.

Visit some car boot sales for cheap seedlings.

Consider investing in a push hoe. It makes it really quick (15 mins?) and easy to whip round the plot felling weed seedlings before they get established.

Yy to the cardboard/membrane idea. I've got a couple of beds that I cover with a layer of cardboard then a layer of mushroom compost in the spring. It really keeps the weeds down.

[ProfYaffle]

Oh, and one more thing, don't be afraid of weedkiller. I don't use it where I grow veg but on paths, around the shed, along fences etc. Just keeps it looking neat (and the committee off my back!)

[bookbook]

Certainly not too late -- I am still planting out...:)
You can sow direct , in weeded area :-
lettuce/radish/spring onions
beetroot
baby leaf spinach.
french beans
you can buy plug plants to plant out :-
celery
sweetcorn
courgettes/squashes -( good ground cover as Spotted said)
brassicas for over winter- sprouting broccoli etc
And the more the merrier on the allotment thread!