Topic: eeek.

[foggie]

Hello, Im new  :)
I applied for an allotment ages ago and just got told there are some available. now Im stressed!!
can anyone tell me what Im looking for good/bad.
I never really gardened beyond a few bulbs for my mum but I really want to do this right!

[foggie]

I should also say I'm Hugh Fernley-whittingstall ;D

[Mrs Ava]

well 'Hugh'  ;D, firstly I would say if you have waited for ages, and finally a lottie has come up, take it regardless, it could be yonks before another one comes your way, however, if you can afford to pick and choose, I would say....ummm....okay...probably wouldn't want one with overhanging trees (mine has!), would also prefer one close-ish to the water supply, if there is one (mine is), would prefer one that isn't 6 foot deep in brambles, bindweed and other delightful garden plants (mine wasn't too bad, altho a good crop of mares tail!), and if you are planning to be totally organic and chemical free, then a plot which has been used organically and not pumped full of things.  A shed would be a bonus!   I would say look for a plot which is dug, rotovated, weedfree, rich with compost, water retentative, with a shed full of tools!  You should be laughing!  ooo, just woken up from an erotic lottie dream!  ;)

[Ceri]

get the one nearest the pub - they have loos.... and er... beer

[Colin_Bellamy-Wood]

I was told that stinging nettles like fertile soil, so if there are a lot, don't turn it down.   Getting rid of the nettles could be a minor problem, as you have to get 'em up by the roots.   But in your second year you can pounce on them whilst they are still very young.

I didn't have too many brambles, and obviously they have to be dug out by the roots.   However, two were suitably placed so that I could cultivate them using the "espalier" technique, and they have been disciplined.

Best of luck.

[Mrs Ava]

Colin......could you tell me.....with brambles, do they only fruit on the new seasons growth?  I have a loganberry in my garden which I cut back at the end of fruiting and train in the new shoots for the following year - are brambles the same?  I ask as next to my plot there is a hedge of them all covered in mouldy fruit!  If I wanna get a good crop next year, do I need to get in there and do some hacking back?   ;D

[foggie]

Sunday is the day. I get to choose from a few apparently. The guy knew my name as "Im the only girl on the list"  :-/
getting really excited  ::)
My freinds have offered to have an 'allotment warming' in spring and do a BYOB with seeds for me  :)

Thanks for the advice, luckily my freind lives round the corner so a welcome toilet will be there.
just need to work out what way up this 'spade' thing goes and I'm off  ;)

[Palustris]

Emma-Jane. Blackberries fruit best on new growth like loganberries, but if there is not enough you can leave some of previous years to get some fruit. Watch the thorns though.