Allotments

[wonderstuff]

Just found out that we have finally made it to the top of the allotment waiting list whoop whoop!!

Haven't seen it yet, apparently there are 6 to allocate and we are 4th on the list, it's a 'small' plot, I believe that the parish are splitting up vacant plots in an effort to meet demand.

So, where to start, what to grow? I haven't ever had anything bigger than a pot to garden before. I fancy a cherry tree, some rhubarb and strawberries as those things are normally too expensive to buy in the supermarket, no real idea what veg to go for..

All advise very welcome.

How exciting. We had an allotment when living in the UK; they don't seem to exist in Australia.

I'd look at what's growing in the neighbouring plots, to give you an idea of what works for your area. You'd probably have to net a cherry tree to keep the fruit, but it's hard to go wrong with rhubarb. Which reminds me, I must inspect the rhubarb to see if it's recovered from the hottest driest summer ever in Victoria. Next year I'll put up an umbrella for it.

First, check whether you're allowed to plant trees. Some sites don't allow planting of new trees although we planted one anyway.

For veg, concentrate on what you like and what would be expensive to buy. When you're getting established, it might be helpful to fill some of the space with rhubarb, asparagus, artichokes and other perennials.

Artichokes, hadn't thought of that that would be awesome!

Yes, even as architectural Lantau they are gorgeous!

Lantau? Plants! Blooming autocorrect!

I thought that artichoches may become weeds in your garden.
www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/singlerecord.asp?id=870

I was thinking of globe artichokes rather than Jerusalem artichokes. It is true that if you leave even one tiny JA in the soil they will come back next year.

A thing of beauty

Why don't you start with what you eat.

My sister has just got one. And she just started to dig it over and has found 200 odd raspberry canes, horse radish.

But we will be growing Peas, runner beans, broad beans. Cabbages, sprouts.
We will also probably grow Tomatoes, cuecumbers.

How exciting for you!

Start with planting what you eat. I also have a small plot and I don't plant things that are cheap to buy - potatoes, onions, carrots.
Great success with: runner beans, all sorts of beans actually, the kids love the novelty ones.
Squashes always successful, butternuts had HUGE yields last year from 3 plants. I plant my squashes/pumpkins in the beds and let them creep all over the paths, saving bedding space for other things.
Courgettes always give good yields with little trouble, 3 plants give us loads for a family of 4, even enough to give away when they're really growing, the like a lot of water though.
Peas - good yields, watch out for pea moth, net the plants.
Carrots. Not wasting my time with carrots again. Carrot fly have meant I have not yet had a crop to speak of, even Nemasys Grow Your Own last year made no difference.
Corn - successful and the kids like it.
Strawbs - sooooo worth it, but invest in good mother plants and get everbearing types - gives you 2 crops/year.
Thinking of buying a greenhouse, until I do, I won't bother with Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines again.
Raspberries - good yields within a year or 2, well worth it.
HAve just planted blackberries/logans/tays as a hedge around my plot, so waiting to see how that goes. Have also planted other fruit bushes, but they might take a year or 2 to really get going.
Keep an eye for Aldi/Lidl weekly specials, good deals on fruit trees, great deals on seedlings at the mo.
Am about to plant one bed up with 18 asparagus plants, 3 types to extend the season, we love asparagus and it's something that is expensive to buy, like berries.
When you do your layout, seriously consider reserving space for a small polytunnel, they can be as short as 3m. It will extend your growing season immensely.
The RHS has a very good book that is well worth having a look at, DH bought one for me and I refer to it regularly.

Enjoy!

Thanks for that, I'm so excited. We can plant fruit trees, so definitely going to get a cherry tree, can't decide between sweet or sour. Like you going to focus on expensive crops like berries, am tempted by pots though, am told they taste better fresh and we do get through them. Did think courgettes and squash, was also thinking sweet potato. My grandfather grew toms, and I really want to grow them because the smell reminds me of him, but he did have a large greenhouse. Going to go to Hampton Court this year, went with my mum a couple of years ago when we had just put our names on the waiting list and so was just looking. We have been dead lucky that its only taken two years, some areas nearby have 10 year waiting lists.

good luck with the allotment. sadly i have given mine up (had it for 9 years). it is bliss. you will love it. there is no better thing than sitting on your plot after a couple of hours of work, drinking a cuppa (from a flask) and surveying all your hard work. PS plant asparagus asap as it takes 2-3 years to spear. worth the wait tho.