new allotment

[daimurph]

hi all I got a phone call last night from my local councilor offering me an allotment that hadn't been kept up by the previous keeper ,so it's a bit run down but there would be no charge for the first year. ;D Naturally i jumped at the chance and I'm meeting him there this evening to clinch the deal.
       I'm a keen gardener though my garden is woefully small hence the need for allotment so I need some advice about what I can plant this time of year and the best way to get the land back to maximum productivity ,also any other invaluable tips anyone has for me .Thanks

[daimurph]

[teresa]

Oh congraduation,
First check to see what you have got ie like fruit bushes
then check for nasty weeds like docks thistles get rid of the nasty ones first.
Ground should be still nice and damp to dig so dig clean and plant seeds anything you want to grow make a list of what you eat from salard stuff to greens etc.
I would say sheet the weeded aera over it keeps the ground damp and stops light getting to weeds so they dont grow or go to seed to much.
I love my old garden plastic chair to sit and straighten up and see what I have done when taking a break.
I love my fork it teases the weed roots out of the ground and not chops them up. Make sure you have a drink with you its thirsty work.
A little and offten is the best way but pace yourself with breaks its easier.
Radox and painkillers for the mucles you forgot you have and remember its cheaper than a gym ha aha.
But most of all have fun and enjoy the space and locals you will find they give you plants to get you started gardeners are a friendly bunch.
This year start with shop bought fertiliser and next year you can get the real stuff now thats fun.

[spacehopper]

Hello, hope you enjoy your plot.  :D

[Zoglet]

Hi, I have also just received my first allotment. Like yours, mine appears overgrown and chaotic- however, the council are still charging me the full rate - your a lucky fish! Enjoy.

Zoglet

[sarah]

hi, new plotters, its very exciting isnt it?  Very good advice there from Theresa, especially about a chair (or upturned bucket) and a drink. Digging is thirst work, a water bottle and a flask of tea reccommended.

[Curryandchips]

Congratulations, welcome to a wonderful lifestyle. Our association gives the second year as free rent, based upon seeing an improvement in the plot, so it sounds like you got a good deal.

As to planting at this time of year, any of the squash family (courgettes, pumpkins etc) will help with holding back weeds and require little maintenance. Runner beans or french climbing beans will give a good crop for little effort too.

Take your time, and enjoy :)

[saddad]

Don't worry about weeds, if it won't grow them what did the previous tenant put down!
Annual weeds are just free green manure/compost if you cut them down or dig them in regularly.
I usually advise potatoes as a first crop, even if you have slug/wireworm problems you have to dig them in and dig them out so the soil gets a good work out as well and you can remove perennial roots as you go along!
ENJOY :)
;D

[Katinkka]

Enjoy your new plot! :)

[Svea]

re: annual weeds - we has SO MANY last year! we were often weeding little plants, as well as slightly larger ones. every time we drew a seed drill, or dug over, or planted something, there would be a new flush of dormant seed coming to life!
however, this spring - nada zilch nothing :)

just goes to show, eh ;) annual weed are only half as scary

[Tee Gee]

so it's a bit run down.

I think most of have been at this stage in our lives, I know I was, but with a bit of effort you will soon get there.

Make yourself a plan of what you want, tackle it in stages and you will be surprised how soon you will get on top of it.

If you need any help you have come to the right place.

[timnsal]

Hi daimurph,

congrats :D

Based on my very limited experience, the first thing I'd say is cover up as much as possible until you are ready to deal with it. I'm getting quite an education into how rapidly nettles grow ::)

On the other hand, I saw the first signs of things I'd planted appearing today. The first shoots of the potatoes, and some radish and pea seedlings. Yippee!

Sally

[saddad]

Stinging nettles make a great compost accelerator and general mulch, so let them grow but not seed.... they are also great for early ladybirds and other friendly insects.... and they prefer good soil so they show it has been worked well before!
:)

[timnsal]

It must be fantastic soil then ;D

Actually, evidence so far suggests that it is. And there are lots of nettles

Sally

[Robert_Brenchley]

If nettles grow well, your veg should as well.

[M J B]

It is about a month to the day that i got my allotment. Tonight i was digging a bit more over and thought there is no way i am going to get this all dug over. £10 to my neighbour and he went over it all with a rotorvator (if it was me i would have done it for free, but there you go). Must have saved me a weeks digging. I can now get things planted in fairly decent soil. Before it was big dry clods.