I've been offered an allotment!

[LottieMadness]

I put my name down on the list for an allotment a while ago, not thinking it would get anywhere near the top. But voila, my names at the top and I'm going to view it in the week.

Never had one before - just grown veggies on a very small scale in my garden.

But the timing is interesting - my DD and her friend need a volunteering activity for their DofE gold and are finding opportunities hard to find. So maybe this is the perfect opportunity for them both to get involved? I can sign off for her friend - I just need to find someone to sign off for my daughter. We shall see ....

I'm thinking the best way to keep their interest is to let them each have their own piece and for them to grow whatever veggies they like?

That will help me big time I think in managing the plot? And help them out also?

Of course, I've not seen the plot yet - it might be a complete overgrown mess beyond my abilities to tame into anything capable of starting a veggie plot. Can I grow flowers/I'm thinking planting a few tulips/daffs etc to cut down on some growing space- is this allowed?

I'm a complete newbie - any hints and tips would be appreciated.

NO DIG.

charlesdowding.co.uk/

This is a game changer! It works, there's a Facebook group too.

Lots of compost but means you could plant right now without digging! I got my allotment in September and am going for it this way. My fellow allotment holders secretly think I'm mad but it's going great so far. Broad beans, onions and garlic in and thriving.

second or third the recommendations for no dig and also against rotivating as it just chops all the weed roots up into little bits and each will turn into a weed next year.

work out what you like to eat, and if it overwhelms you invest in heavy duty black plastic and lay that down - i reuse each winter to keep the beds weed free

We aren't 'no dig' but DH is an enthusiastic weeder.

We use a rotation system which incorporates using one or two beds as compost beds. So we don't have a permanent compost heap instead each season we pile all the compostable material on one bed. In spring we squash it down, put a thin layer of manure on top then cover it with heavy duty weed proof matting. A month or two later we plant courgette and squash through the matting. They love the heat. At the end of the season we put the old plants on the next compost bed.

At the start of the next season we take the matting off the hot bed and are left with weed free rich soil which doesn't take too much work to be ready for planting.

This method has really helped us to turn around what was very poor uncultivated soil. You can really tell the difference between the beds which have and haven't had a turn being hot beds.

@LottieMadness as you will see there are lots of different ways to work your allotment but at the end of the day it is yours so do what works for you.

Hi - me again

So I'm just getting started on my plot - the lovely council chap has been true to his word zbd strimmed my plot (not an euthanisum in the slightest ) and it is looking a lot more maneagle now - see photo.

Would love some next steps advice though - please. Do I rake the grass and then membrane the plot while I decide what to do? Or just membrane over the grass right now?

Sorry to be so clueless but would appreciate a starting bit of help.

Apologies for the horrendous typos

Allotment sounds lovely, but I am not sure how this fits the charitable /volunteering aspect of d of e.

It could be their skill though.

If their is an older/disabled person on the allotment who needs help that would work.
Helping your Mum/your friend's Mum with their allotment isn't really in the spirit of d of e.

Ok - I've ditched the DofE idea.

*There ** might well be an older/disabled person on the allotment who needs some help but my DD has found a different avenue for volunteering now.