When is the best time to take on a plot?

[ElleDubloo]

We're thinking of taking on an allotment plot, as a family. I've made enquiries already, and there's no waiting list where we are, so we can pretty much have it when we want it. But I'm thinking, we've already missed the planting months, and many of the plots are overgrown with weeds at this time of the year. Would it be better to wait until autumn/winter when the weeds have naturally died down a little so that they're easier to tackle? Or should we take on a plot now for reasons I haven't considered? Thanks!

Take it now, as you'll be able to see and tackle any weeds while they're in full flow! Then you can mulch the ground over the winter and be all ready for next summer.
If you have a chance, there's a lot you could plant now, such as lettuce,spring onions, and even courgettes. Get the seedlings from garden centres. In this weather, with some water, they'll grow.
Then there's the winter veg you can get out - again, garden centres are your friend.

Happy growing!

I'd take one now too, long evenings are a great time to get cracking. There were lots of us at our plots at 9.30 last night. As well as tackling weeds you can see what else has been left for you which might not be apparent in winter. I took mine on in late August and didn't plant anything the first year (I had no experience of winter crops) but we had spuds which had cone up randomly in various places, redcurrants and saw that we had rhubarb (that dies back completely in winter).

It's also a great time of year now for looking at what all the other plotholders are growing for inspiration and getting chatting to them as they will all be up there frequently for watering.

I'd say take it now too. This year can be about the preparation for a full growing season next year.

Thanks everyone! Will hopefully be joining you in the allotment thread soon :)

Congratulations! I have been on the waiting list for 4 years and counting...

I waited 4 years too.

Yes now would be good as you'll get an idea of what you're dealing with.

I took on an overgrown plot in October and spent all winter clearing it and building raised beds only to find come March that it was absolutely infested with horsetail as the previous occupant had just repeatedly rotovated it.

I had to give it back and it was gutting!

I took mine on about this time last year, the weeds were absolutely terrible but it gave me a chance to rip them out before they self seeded again. I cleared & covered all the beds, put in some berry bushes to get established only, but others put in winter greens and garlic and did get quite good crops from the greens. So you could consider either option. Taking on an overgrown plot late in the year is less fun; shorter days and more likely to be raining

We have had ours 5 weeks. It was 5ft high in some places of weeds and brambles and full of glass, rubbish and a couple of broken down greenhouse frames.

We now have about 15 types of veg in, laods of raised beds and have just started harvesting lettuce and ds raided the raspberry cane left by previous plot holder. And we have an apple tree groaning with apples too.

I still have some stuff to plant out, will be sowing some stuff right through to July and have made friends with quite a few of the other allotmenters.

I will spend the rest of summer weeding and covering the bits we wont use, sorting out a shed and a chicken run/coop and getting to grips with it all. Will organise beds over winter and also get loads more fruit trees/canes in.

That's all a lot nicer to do in the nice weather than battling through winter.

Whoknows - but it will be at leadt another 15 years before I get one!

Really? That's shocking. The waiting time has come down to a couple of months on my site now, they got a lot stricter at booting people out who weren't maintaining theirs.

Everyone got here first!
Definitely take it on now.
You can start clearing and even possibly get a small area planted up for over wintering stuff, but give you a head start for spring.
Good Luck ! :)

You might be lucky to get one with fruit growing so take one on now.

I've sent an email requesting a plot :) So excited! Thanks for the advice everyone!

When you go , see if there is more than one plot available. Take photos, and a tape measure. Look around and see which way it faces , if its shady .
Ask questions about
Water Supply
Access ( you tend to need a lot of compost, manure, building stuff )
Security .
Exciting times!