Please help me plan (and maximise) what I grow in my allotment.

[MaggieW]

I have a good size allotment, some of which is in raspberries and strawberries. It gets loads of sun and has free-draining good soil. I know I'm late to expect to grow much this year but really need help with a timetable of what I should plant and when so that I have something growing for as much of the year as possible.

I'm fine with salad, carrots etc, but need other suggestions from you green-fingered and experienced ladies. I'd also really like to grow rhubarb so when is best time to plant and harvest that please? TIA.

Some good info on the RHS website I think.

I have a little veg patch rather than an allotment and am by no means an expert but I've only just sown stuff in the last fortnight or so. Tbh everyone is behind this year as the weather has been so rubbish. Not too late to plant runner beans straight into the ground. You could buy some tender veg from a garden centre this year to help you catch up eg courgette plants.

I've sown salad leaves, rocket, perpetual spinach, chard, peas (not sure if these are going to work), runner beans. Hoping my dad is going to bring me some courgette plants from his greenhouse.

Rhubarb crowns are traditionally planted in the autumn and harvested from early spring until midsummer. If you force it (ie stick a big bucket over it) in winter then you will get some a bit earlier and it will be pale pink and delicious I forget every year though

Tis so true about everyone being behind. You're absolutely not this late to get decent crops this year. Our allotments weren't handed out until the 1st May several years ago and everyone got loads off them.

If you find some rhubarb in a garden center you could put it in now the give it this year to establish. I'd have a go at sowing some broad beans, parsnips, shallots , beetroot, spinach, lettuce and peas direct now plus some runners and/or French beans.

As Dewdr says you can buy things like courgettes, sweet corn, outdoor cucumbers etc then wait till (if) the weather improves. Sowing little and often is a good idea. I have a supply of small stick the I use mid row to mark how far along I've sown. Get hold of some seeds for winter veg like swede, leeks, cabbages and sow them at some point too.

Joy Larkom's vegetable book is very good. If it makes you feel any better, apart from my rhubarb, strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries, the only things I have put in so far are broad beans, shallots and garlic . The rest is at home waiting for now. A herb bed is a lovely addition as well.

ooh i have allotment envy.

Look in your fridge. Grow some of what's in there (veg obviously, not suggesting sausages). Grow stuff you like eating. Don't grow anything else. And grow some flowers, it's lovely to have home grown flowers in the house and to give to friends.

Thank you all - very encouraging to hear all's not lost for the season. Great re rhubarb too. Thanks again.

LOL at purplewithreds sausage comment. seriously though, that's the first thing that my dad asked me when I started sharing his allotment. What do you like to eat. Nowt worse than a glut of courgettes if you don't like them.

If you are just starting out, its worth considering a gardeners world subscription (currently £5 for 5 issues - see the website) They have lots of useful info in every issue about 'what to sow this month' etc.