New allotment

[EeyoreIsh]

We've just taken over control of an allotment

DH has already been for a look, but is a little clueless so wasn't much use in describing it beyond that it was in the top corner! And covered in weeds, of course. It's only half an allotment (5 rods).

Any suggestions on where or how to start? I'm hoping to use some of it for fruit bushes. And we need to get cracking with weed control. We might see is we can plant some beans quickly too.

Any thoughts on how or where to start! I've heard about covering soil in cardboard, but have no idea how it works in practice.

Thanks!

I think what I would do is go out and but some plack plastic. Cut down anything really tall, having done a through inspection to check if there's any fruit or veg plants in there. Then cover it all first of all.

Uncover a bit when you're ready to start. Plots look cultivated with bean frames or wigwams so that's where I'd start. Clear a bit and lob a couple up. Next I'd clear another bit and put in a couple of courgette plants. This way you should get plentiful courgettes and beans so feel you've achieved something. Work on it little by little, planting as you go along, leaving the rest covered.

Think about crop rotation and in your head split it into 4. Decide where you'll make your compost heap and try to make room for somewhere to sit after your hard work. There's still plenty of time. A friend of mine got her plot something like the 21st of May and got loads off it. Just focus on doing small bits each session. And go steady at first as if you aren't used to it your muscles will let you know about it at first !

Get to know your field steward and find out if they know where you can get useful stuff like horse muck. Find out if there is a field shop. They can be useful places to buy canes for the bean frames mentioned by Wynken.

Congratulations and welcome to the happy world of allotmenteering!

Thank you, some really useful thoughts there!

We're heading up there to have a look today. rather excited!

Remember that you are allowed to potter on an allotment. You dont have to get it all done this morning!

It is quite useful to take a tape measure if you have one so that you can measure out the plot and then plan it out.

We went along this afternoon

it's totally overgrown, but I think it's only had one or two years of neglect and was in good condition before that.

There's lots of weeds of one sort of another. There's a terrible compost heap that has big sticks in it so well bonfire that. I'm looking forward to building a new double compost heap.

DH wants to lead the work on it! We've agreed that I get a quarter of it, which is still huge! I'm going to focus on plants I really like eating, such a rhubarb, berries etc around the edge, then rotate the rest.

I'll leave DH to grow the boring crops such as onions and potatoes

The soil is heavy clay, so lots of other allotment holders have made raised beds. I think I'll do the same in my quarter!

I'm also going to have some cold frames and we'll erect a greenhouse, so we can grow next year's crops from seeds.

DH is getting carried away at what he can buy to clear the ground... a flame gun is needed apparently

p.s. The few people who were out there today were very friendly. With the exception of the couple with the immaculate plot right at the front. There were several plots in worse condition than ours, phew!

How exciting Eeyoreish ! If it was fine a year or two ago hopefully it won't be too bad to get it into shape.

Worrysigh is quite right, do some pottering,it's part of it. It's possible to make quite a difference fairly quickly without killing yourself. Mine wasn't looking great but a day up there has transformed it. Today I have out in sweetcorn, spaghetti squash, a pumpkin, courgettes, tomatillo and lettuce. My neighbour and I were examining what looked like a munched bean plant on her plot, mine still aren't up.

If the other people are nice the might give you things. I took out some strawberry and raspberry plants I'd have been happy to give away . Maybe ask the nice ones what they recommend growing and it might result in free plants.

I'm off to shower allotment dirt out of my hair !

Eeyore, we have managed to build some raised beds very reasonably using untreated scaffolding planks from a company online...I can find the link of you would like! Hated the thought of treated beds leaching chemicals into our veggies...

Keep an eye out for pallets. It is very straightforward to build a compost bin out of them. Your field steward may be able to help with these.

Do chat with your allotment neighbours, ask advice (but take it all with a pinch of salt!). DH calls it 'the allotment and debating society'.

You still have plenty of time to plant all sorts of things. We were able to take a crop from our plot in the first year despite starting in July.

Lots of organic matter will help to lighten your soil keep an eye out to see if anyone is getting deliveries of horse poo. A local stable will deliver around 2 tons of the stuff for £10.

Lola contact details for scaffolding planks would be fab.

worry, we've got lots of grass cuttings at the entrance to the site but apparently it's not good.... so we'll be finding other alternatives to improve the soil.