Hi Caroline, welcome! At the top of the page is a button for the A4A Wiki...it's full of useful hints and tips. There is a bit about methods of cultivation which you might like to have a look at. I have got lots of useful info from reading allotment blogs too...some of the clever people on here have blogs, the address is usually at the bottom of their posts, have a look!
Enjoy it! A new allotment is soooo exciting!
;D