newbie saying hi

[gerkin]

hi ,picked up the key to the allotment today i have half a plot in essex
shared by me and the other arf and a mate and his kids
the foreground has been turned over and cleared today ,the back is very uneven and needs leveling ,
we plan to just plant the foreground this year and improve the back little and often
have been told spuds are the best for a new area to help brak up the soil etc ,any other recomendations ? have already raised corn and corgettes
,just have to try a few other things [ pumpkins onion sets] till we learn the ropes

[manicscousers]

Hiya, gerkin, welcome to a4a 
brilliant time to start a plot, happy growing

[Robert_Brenchley]

The front should be easy to break in from the look of it. As for the back, dig it over roughly and put early spuds in; either get them quick while they're still about or get them later for second cropping if it's going to take a while. You can put first earlies in up to midsummer and get a crop outdoors, as long as the blight keeps off. They swamp most of the weeds, and you get any survivors out as you lift the crop.

[bluecar]

Hello Gerkin.

I would suggest you plant some runner beans in a cleared area. These should give you a very good return for the planting space.

[davyw1]

welcome Gerkin 
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.

[tonybloke]

Welcome to the forum!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

welcome Gerkin 
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.

You need a cast iron back with a hinge in it. Wish I had one!

[1066]

welcome to A4A Gerkin and congratulations on the plot 

Remember a little and often is the best bet, and any areas you are not using straight away try and cover them to keep the weeds down (and therefore your work!)

Happy growing
1066

[caroline7758]

welcome Gerkin 
My only bit of advice about gardening is that you are there to break its back its not there to break yours so enjoy it and only start off growing what you will eat the rest will come later.

Good advice, Davy!

Welcome, Gerkin! Whereabouts in the country are you?

[gerkin]

The front should be easy to break in from the look of it. As for the back, dig it over roughly and put early spuds in; either get them quick while they're still about or get them later for second cropping if it's going to take a while. You can put first earlies in up to midsummer and get a crop outdoors, as long as the blight keeps off. They swamp most of the weeds, and you get any survivors out as you lift the crop.

there are some in the lottie shop ,what variety do you recommened ? do i need to chit?

runner beans sound good still have some seeds left from last year that did not get used in the garden

im in upminster essex

thanks for all the replies and advice

[Robert_Brenchley]

Anything in a site shop is likely to be a standard reliable variety. If you delay long it'll be too late for maincrops, but earlies will still be fine to plant. You could try asking around to see what spuds do well on your site.

[kippers garden]

Welcome gerkin...enjoy your new plot

[nilly71]

Welcome to the site, i'm only a few miles from you(just the other side of Gallows Corner) and have some spare black plastic if you want some to smother the weeds.

As some of the others have said, take your time and enjoy.

Neil

[sloughjimbo]

Right here goes, my first attempt at posting

Hi everyone another newbie here although i must confess been a non participating lurking member for a while now pinching idea's. advice etc etc.

My lottie is in Slough and i've had it for 4 years. Although it was hard work to start with at the beginning every year has got easier and easier.

I must admit all the ideas and advice i've found on here have been invaluable so a big thank you from me in advance.

Jim

[manicscousers]

Hiya, Jim..welcome to the nut house 

[tonybloke]

welcome to the forum, Jimbo

[macmac]

Welcome Gherkin and Jim 
I'll echo the advice given already and my favourite saying
"you can't eat an elephant in one sitting"
small bites 
enjoy

[triffid]

Another vote for don't break your neck, do only what you can, and the wonder of weed suppressant coverings... 

Also, remember to take lots and lots of pictures as you go. It's the best encouragement in the world for the days when you feel you're getting nowhere.
Oh, and keep records of what crops you planted where (photos are good for this, too). It's amazing how easy it is to forget after a couple of years, and if you're going to rotate crops year on year, it's info you'll need.

Welcome to A4A Gerkin and Jimbo.

[1066]

Welcome to A4A Jimbo 

[gerkin]

Welcome to the site, i'm only a few miles from you(just the other side of Gallows Corner) and have some spare black plastic if you want some to smother the weeds.

As some of the others have said, take your time and enjoy.

Neil

brilliant  thanks for the offer will bare it in mind ,have glyphosated the back of the plot so cant cover at the mo!,,may be useful later