Just got an allotment at last!

[CountessDracula]

Have been on the waiting list for a while with some friends, we are going to share one so that it is not so time-consuming.

Very excited, however I had always envisaged getting one in the spring and growing lots of stuff immediately. What can I grow in the winter? Or should I just dig it over and put something good on it and cover for the winter?

God I have no idea. Luckily my parents are both gardening obsessives so I will be able to get some advice from them too.

There is an active thread about what you can grow now...only started today I think

Oh lucky you, I am 21st in line for the next one. i will be retired bu the time that comes up. My freind has had one for about 6 years though and I looked after it while she went away. I loved it!! She has just planted out some cabbage plants and is waiting for some leeks to be ready to put out, don't know if that is any help to you or not but good luck.

cd, there's an national society of allotments - you'll probably find what you need on their website
HTH
P.S. a friend of mine has one and I would if only I had the time. Good luck

Not sure about recommending this to CountessDracula, but you can plant garlic in the autumn for a spring harvest. If you like swiss chard, you can grow that too. You could also shop around for baby brocolli, brussel sprouts and winter cabbage plants to plant out now.

Happy digging!

Congratulations. Me and my friends got an allotment about 18 months ago and we're really enjoying it.
Great place to escape from the family. Having said that my DD loves coming with me and specialises in watering other people's allotments not ours. As she helped plant some of the veg I've also managed to persuade her to eat cabbage and brussel spouts. The site's got lots of brambles/blackberries growing - I grew up in a small town in Scotland and went out for berries every year. I forgot about that as I live in London now.
Try planting broad beans over winter for an early crop but put netting over the bed after you've planted the seeds. In our first year we didn't and we got one plant as the pigeons ate everything else.
Good luck.