Newbie Allotmentee was feeling like giving up but ds2 spurred me on

[CuriousMama]

I just got my first allotment and actually started on it today with a lot of help from ds2 (11). I said to him 'oh I don't know, is it all worth it? I wonder if we've made a mistake taking it on?' He said ' mum look at the allotments either side and how nice they are, I bet they started out messy too' We did manage to clear a patch that has a border of planks. I covered it with plastic and will think about it tomorrow. Will probably dig in some compost and then plant something? Dp's off work this weekend so he'll help.

I've got some books, bought one and got the rest from the library. Still a bit daunting though.

What a lovely ds. Overgrown allotments are daunting. You are right to split it into small sections and work on one bit at a time.

What are you planning to grow?

Thanks LR, yes he is lovely at times

I'm not sure but hoping for potatoes and carrots. Will grow some flowers too and plant lavender etc.. but really want to try out some veg.

Do you have an allotment?

One good thing the soil is loam. I was told it was good soil and got a nice surprise once I got digging. We're right next to the sea, you can see it from th plot, I wonder if that has anything to do with it? When I had a decent garden that was clay so had to work in grit and compost.

Been to the allotment shop today and bought another spade. It's a lady's spade so will do for ds2 but wouldn't dream of telling him it's title He'd refuse to use it! Also got some onions to put it, runner bean seeds that were reduced to 20p. And loads of tips from the other gardeners. They have manure and suchlike there too, loads of stuff. I even learned how to chit potatoes And that pumpkins are easy to grow they just need a lot of watering. Dss will love growing those.

Call it a border spade and all will be well!

My DH uses ladies garden fork and spade without shame or public apology.

Courgettes are lovely (they go in a bit later)

Wilkinsons are selling lots of things like raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants. They will look scrawny right now but will be a good bargain.

Thanks for that, I do fancy some soft fruits.

Good for your dh, dp's the same. It makes them real men

Dp can't wait to see the patch ds2 and I dug. I think I may have exaggerated the size of it somewhat? I should've perhaps taken a measure. I did take a pic on my phone though Plan to take a few more of it now, then some as it progresses?

We've been down there today. Was lovely as the sun was shining Talked to our next door 'neighbour' and he was full of information. Told us we have a rabbit problem and to fill in the gaps at the back or else anything we grow will be eaten. Glad he told us I'd have been really upset if our first foray into veg was a total disaster. He has an amazing plot and all done on the cheap. He said the local oldies give you lots of freebies and plants so that's good to know. The allotment shop ladies told me to go to car boots for tools, wheelbarrow etc.. as they do that. Nice of them considering their shop sells tools. I did buy a fork today as we needed it for the long rooted weeds.

I found lots of onions and spring onions that were in good nick tbh. I just threw them in the corner though, perhaps to go in the compost heap?

What's wrong with eating the onions/spring onions if they are in good nick? Otherwise, yes, they can be composted. Basically if you leave it long enough pretty much anything organic can be composted. People will tell you that X, Y or Z should be burned but TBH if you compost for long enough you dont get a problem.

Sounds great though. Keep up the good work.

Well we already have tons of onions as dp seems to have an obsession with them He's the food shopper btw, he enjoys it He's going to be passed himself once ours start to grow. There weren't as many spring onions.

I'm thinking of building a compost heap out of the planks and wood that are lying around? Or should I just buy one or two? I saw one in the thrifty gardener book that was built so thought it may be ok?

If you are composting all your allotment waste then unless you have a small plot then you will find that the dalek style of compost bin just wont be big enough. I have two five pole plots and have two 1m square compost bins. I have seen wooden bins built out of all sorts of pieces of wood.

Allotmenteering is all about recycling (my field is where old climbing frames go to die!).

Thanks again, yes it's a good size plot so will need a big one.

My neighbour (allotment) said I'll be digging around in skips before I know it