Absolute beginner thinking about having an allotment, how easy would it be?

[Northerner]

The plots are within walking distance from my house and as I only have a yard it seems quite appealing to spend summer evenings up there planting and pruning.

I have never done any gardening before, how hard would it be and how much time would I need to dedicate to it?

Also what sort of things are easy to grow and what would I need to do in the winter months?

Many thanks!

we have an allotment , this is our third year so we are still learning, but we have had loads of stuff, and the other allotmenteers are always happy to give advice, much of it conflictingthey also give plants/seeds/veg/fruit.
i was amazed at the cost of a years rental.

i grew sonme tomato plants in the garden this yesr - fab and really easy - plan in summer and water a lot. ia also sowed some carrot seed and blow me carrots came. that's all I know but it had me hooked. will do tomoatoes again cos we got a couple of punnets every single day from just 2 plants. will perhaps try sweetcorn too. not really answering your qn just rambling.

A friend and I got an allotment this year and as it was grassed over, we have spent the last six weekends getting rid of the grass and digging over the plot! We decided to go for the little and often approach - a couple of hours most saturdays and Sundays. I can't wait to start the actual planting which we should be able to to do with potatoes in the next week or two. As onlyjoking said, it isn't that expensive (£30 for the year) so even if, after a few months, we decide it isn't for us, we won't have spent too much money on it.

Go on, go for it! you know you want to.

can I just ask if you green and friendly people get your kids involved in the allotment?

It is supposed to be helpful in all sorts of ways, not least in improving their eating habits.

We are on the waiting list for one to share with some friends who live a few streets away, should be coming up soon! Plan to get dd involved with her own little patch to grow whatever she wants. We always had this when we were growing up and it was great.

Re being a beginner, start off with easy things like potatoes, carrots, courgettes, beans. I think lettuce and stuff gets attacked more easily IIRC.

I get my dd involved, though my ds has never really taken to it. It's a bit hit or miss - not for the perfectionist gardener - you see whole packets of seeds tipped into one tiny hole, plants accidentally trampled underfoot, weed seeds enthusiastically propagated, etc - but once you get your head round that, it's lovely. And yes, I think it does encourage them to eat veg and herbs.

We plan to give our sons a patch about one square metre each to grow sunflowers, pumkins, peas and beans and I am also planning to get ds to grow a couple of potato plants in an old compost bag a la Monty Don.

our allotment only costs £15 per year as for getting the kids involved that was the main reason we took one on, we have three kids with Autism,DS doesn't do veg, so we get them involved at every level, i even got pictures of each veg laminated them and stuck them on sticks to mark the seeds out, we have managed to get him eating a few veg but it is still a work in progress my girls special needs school have an allotment too, the kids love it.

Onlyjoking, that is really interesting because ds is on the autism spectrum and extremely picky about food so i am hoping that his involvement in the allotment will help us to get him to eat at least some of the things he grows.

We've had an allotment for a couple of years - has been great. Now we've got a six-month-old baby too, but we take her down there and let her doze in her pram while we dig. My five-year-old neice helps too. Particular fun things to grow are the pumpkins and sunflowers. We have races - cool!

Hello Northerner! I have an allotment at Claro. It's absolutely Fab. Are you getting one at Unity Grove? I used to share one with a friend there, we were the Allotty Totty :)
It's not too difficult, but if you can find someone to share the plot it's much better while you find your green fingers. And it can be difficult with kids in tow sometimes. But I've done an allotty for 5 years now and it's very sad to admit, but it's my escape/therapy and free food is alsways satisfying.
If you want to CAT me, I could post you some seed potatoes, onions, beans, spinach - all relatively easy to grow. Mind you, get in quick as there is often a waiting list.

We've had an allotment for a few years with another couple. First one was in a bad area (good soil, though) and got vandalised, tools stolen etc. Heartbreaking. The second one is in a good area but bad soil, not as productive. We pay £110 a year but we have 1.5 plots as we are 4 adults. DS (6) loves it, looking for worms, spotting the odd fox.

How much work? If it has brambles and is in a bad state you need to take that into account. Has it already got beds made or would you need to look for wood and make some yourself (if you want to)? I'd say overall a couple of hours every two weeks (but we are 4 adults, so about 8 hours every 2 weeks on average per year, more in spring and autumn).

Hi fullmoonfiend, just seen this - I wasn't ignoring you!

Have put this on hold - just found out I'm pregnant with #2 so probably not a good idea. Thanks anyway

I've just picked up a huge bag of blackcurrants, buternut squash, green beans and cauliflower from my mum's chest freezer. All grown at her allotment. Much easier to get her to do the digging, then I reap the rewards
Actually, she maybe does 4 hours every other week in winter, more when watering is required in the summer. And twice a year we all go down (brothers, dh and me) and dig when needed or when there's a manure delivery.

She pays £12 a year for a double plot. also has a pond, climbing frame, pear and apple tree.

WIMP! (oh, ok, I'll let you off then. Congratulations!!! )

Does anybody have the contact details for Unity Grove Allotments? There's nothing on record at Harrogate Borough Council