We have an allotment!!

[CuriousMama]

Dp and I have had our name down for one for 18 months and finally got one I've been to look at it today and it's huge. Needs a lot of tidying up. Also has a dilapidated sunhouse that needs new windows and the roof fixing but is solid.

It's my first ever allotment. I've owned small gardens and managed to grow nice flowers but am a bit daunted by this tbh. Dss are strong lads so am hoping they'll help? Or should I say that the novelty doesn't wear off

Some local lads have their names down for one and said they'll help out too?

A friend who has one in my old hometown said to grow lots of potatoes as it breaks the soil up? It needs mega weeding before I even think of that.

Anyone else got one? Tips are most welcome

I got one last year, totally over grown and full of weeds. I found everyone was keen to help at first then the novelty wore off and it was down to me. I planted loads of potatoes but can't say they really broke up the soil. I went for old fashioned double digging. If I could give you the advice I needed it would be do one small chunk at a time. Only weed where you plan on planting and plant out 4 times as much stuff as you think you want, then the crops that don't do so well will have a chance and the bumper crops you can freeze (hopefully) watch the old timers too, they know what they're doing, if its anything like my place they will be keen to tell you! Good luck.

Thanks duke. Dp said we should do a bit at a time too. I think clearing away the rubbish will take a good bit of doing? There's lots of windows piled up, maybe for making cloches?

Cold frames are easy to make and useful. I inherited a green house that had so many cracks and smashes it is basically a large cold frame! We bought a poly tunnel which we are going to put up in its place soon.
The first half of my first year was a disaster I realised growing veg in my little garden plot is nothing like growing on an allotment. The first lot of beans just didn't happen, I think I pick 3 beans from a whole row!!! Then I read somewhere about digging a trench about spade depth filling it with ripped up cardboard, (the crappy brown corrugated is best) and veg peelings greens you would compost. Then put normal compost on top then plant in your beans. Hey presto I had more French beans than I new that to do with. I'm hoping to have a better year this with all the things I learnt not to do! What you planning on planting first?

Thanks for the info, it's really useful. I was thinking of potatoes tbh? I do fancy carrots though. I have no clue when to plant etc... so will need to read up on it. Dp is so excited bless him. He can't wait to go to B&Q and get tools etc..

Congratulations! I got my first plot a few years ago and it is a huge source of joy!

Before speeding off to B&Q, Wilkinsons have a great and bargainous gardening section. Their tools are excellent as well.

Potatoes are good for breaking up the soil because you have to dig over the ground, then plant them then earth them up then dig them up to harvest them. So the breaking up is done by you!

Re tools my advice would be dont go for the biggest spades and forks you can find instead go for border fork & spade as these will be smaller and lighter. Even DH prefers these.

www.growveg.com is great for working out spacings etc.

Dont worry too much about weeds, weed a bit, plant it up then weed the next bit. You will be battling the weeds for a while to come so no need to make a penance out of it.

Try out lots of different fruit and veg then work out what suits you. Do try things you may have not liked in the past as fresh can make a huge difference. Broad beans were a revelation.

What a lovely time of year to get the news!

I have one too - hard work but little and often works better than attempting to do a lot at once. Try everything and anything to see what grows well in your soil.

A lovely place to be.

Thanks both of you. The allotment's a minute from the sea too so lovely fresh air

Exdh has decent tools in the shed that are unused now as I was the gardener, he's neglected it. I think I'll ask if I can borrow them?

Break it into quadrants and cultivate one bit at a time. Don't do what my DH tried to do which was to double dig the entire plot and refuse to plant anything until it was done - because it just kept reweeding itself. When you've dug over a bit PLANT PLANT PLANT ! There's also the immense satisfaciton of having something growing to tend - constantly digging over is incredibly demoralising

This is a good time of year to make a start as the weed cover will be light.

Get a load of manure in

This is a good time of year to plant fruit trees

A second vote here for potatoes - they do a great job of breaking up soil that hasn't been cultivated in years.

I don't know whether you want to go organic but I would recommend weedkilling the areas that you don't want to cultivate immediately. It's a LOT less bother than endless digging over.

For carrots & parsnips I recommend getting an old bath from the tip/junkyard. Fill it with a light blend of topsoil and sand; the height will prevent carrot fly getting in and the absence of manure or stones will give you lovely, long, straight roots.

We've had an allotment for 5 years; Dad also has one and I can't wait to get stuck in again this year.

Monty says no digging! You'll break your back.

We didn't dig, instead we reclaimed a bit at a time using plastic sheeting to cover each part for a year to kill everything underneath (and no chemicals), then we raked, put manure down and hoed lightly. We also used raised beds.

It has taken us 4 years but we now 'have' all of it with no plastic. We laid weed resistant fabric between the beds and used tent pegs so that we have as little weeding as possible.

I've just put in a 20 foot square bed with 28 rose bushes in it, then I lay strips of leftover plastic between them and then I've put large bark chippings above - that's a large space with no weeding.

Laurie, what a lovely rosebed :)

I bought a pack of Parkers lost labels last year and they have done really well - a total bargain at 6 bushes for a tenner

Parkers lost labels? wossat? I want it!

lost label roses

Wow thanks so much for all these tips. The lost label roses are a bargain, I'll be getting some of those.

We get the keys this weekend but dp is working so as he works nights and sleeps during the day there's just me. I think I'll go and start doing a bit though. Depending on the frost?

Well we got the key to the gate this morning I took dss down after school and they weren't that impressed tbh. It is a bit of a mess, I can see how many weeds there are now the snow and frost has almost gone. Oh well we're away next week so will crack on when we get back. Little and often should get us somewhere I hope.