New Plot

[gary]

Hello everyone

This is my first post on here and I am after some advice.

I have just been offered a plot at my local site. I have visited and its a clear green plot no major problems like some I have read about, but it is quite large 375sq meters.
I am in two minds at the minute do i just use half of it and keep the other half tidy until I need to use it, or do I ask for a smaller plot if any are available.
I do feel a little guilty as some people would love the chance of a large plot (or any come to that) but do not want to bite off more than I can chew so to speak.

Any advice would be great

Gary

[gary]

[pete10]

Very large plot Gary all depends on how much time you have .You could cover half with black plastic or
mulch etc .

[muddy boots]

Hi Gary,

If you are a bit daunted by the thought of going all out on the whole plot straight away (I would be!), how about growing some green manure and also some phacelia (Californian bluebell).  Phacelia is easy to grow and is a great flower for attracting bees.  Some farmers around here grow it around the edge of their orchards to attract bees for pollination.  Chiltern seeds supply it online.

All the others here could tell you about green manure.  Then you don't have to worry too much about keeping it tidy while you get the other half up and running!   :D :D :D

[bennettsleg]

Hi Gary
I recommend taking on the whole thing, covering a logical half in black plastic all in one go (no gaps for paths, no beds marked out). "Logical" on the basis of this time next year you may want to give half the plot up.  Giving up either the left half or the right half nearest your plot's entrance point will be alot easier than giving up this bed over here and that bed over there (which is what I ended up with. Doh!).
This time next year you may also realise how much you love being down the plot, digging, harvesting and nattering that you can easily open up the other half of the plot for perennial veg (artichokes, sparragus etc), fruit bushes, greenhouse, more compost bins, 2nd shed, workshop, storage vault etc.
This way will ensure that you've got the lot should you need it, but also that you get used to the amount of work half a plot needs and make an educated assessment of how much input the whole plot would need.

Good luck and keep on posting with updates.

[delaney]

I'm also new to the lotty lark took one half plot then OH said about growing soft fruit by the time she finished left about 6yards of the plot left luckily the other half of the plot was still up for grabs so decide if you want fruit as well as this can take  up a lota lota space

[ACE]

You will never have enough space so take the large plot

[slyfox-mal]

even if you take on the  full plot  by next year you will be wanting more space mines a full double and ive ran out of space  mind you my chickens take up about one third of it  :)  just remember slowly does it dont sicken yourself off  all the best mal

[OliveOil]

Mine is 500 sqm... i have used the front 1/3 for veg, back 1/3 is for the chooks and the middle third is doing nothing...


I do nothing to the spare but when i need the next bit of land, i just hand pull the weeds and the soil is just lovely!

I wouldnt worry too much... just use what you want for now and you will find you need more and more and can work that bit when required.

[davee52uk]

If the plot is overgrown, do not try to clear it all in the first year, rather do a bit at a time. Thoroughly clear a small bit and perhaps cover with plastic or carpet bits that can be cleared later.

[STHLMgreen]

I'd take the larger plot.
Maybe you could plan on using half of it and with the other half you could plant a fruit tree or raspberry bushes if you have the time or use it as a space for barbeques if people do that sort of thing on your site.

You may even find you have a friend who would want to to rty a bed or two to see if they would like to get an allotment in the future.

[gary]

Many thanks to all who have replied just to let you know that I have decided to take this plot just signed the paper work.

So here i am back an looking for a bit more advice (I know I'm cheeky).

The plot is approx 15m x 25m. I had planned to leave the back 5m area as it is for a shed compost heap etc. A path down the center leaving me with two 7m x 20m areas. One area I had planned to create 7 or 8 raised beds of approx 6m x 1.5 with paths between and the other area to leave and cut once a month or cover with membrane.
Does this seem sensible?

Second question ( getting cheekier). The plot is covered in weeds but has been cut down recently so are only about a foot high.
I had planned to strim the whole area, lift the top two inches where the beds are going to be, turn the soil, add manure and cover with membrane.
Again is this the best option or can anyone give be their thoughts.

Gary

[legendaryone]

Hi Gary, i got my allotment a month ago and have been working hard on it, it is not as large as yours being 30 x 8 metres. I've stuck my shed and compost heaps at the back, i intend to have it all dug (am halfway there) One half i am covering with black membrane (i shall compost this half in the spring) and the other half with compost (mainly to see what works best). I strimmed the half i haven't dug at the weekend and will soon have it dug over.
I too will have a path going down the centre and paths going across width ways, i am not going for raised beds.
I was given a dozen strawberry plants when i was down at the weekend and planted them this morning and it has started to look very good.
I think what you suggest will be fine and would suggest you invest in a tube of deep heat ;D

[supersprout]

The plot is covered in weeds but has been cut down recently so are only about a foot high.
I had planned to strim the whole area, lift the top two inches where the beds are going to be, turn the soil, add manure and cover with membrane.

Hi Gary, sounds like a good plan. If you want to save labour, strim down and leave the strimmings, cover with cardboard and a good 8 inches of organic material - leaves, straw etc. - and you'll have a lovely layer to plant through/sow into next year :)

Could you post a plan of your plot? :P

[saddad]

Plenty of great advice there Gary... I now have five plots, although only 1200sq yards as some are part plots... this was the first
before...

and after...

and some of the others..


and last but not least...

and ask as many questions as you like...
8)

[supersprout]

oh those thyme-edged potagers saddad :o <gasp> <swoon> ;D ;D

[angle shades]

great plots Saddad :) do you live on your plot to keep it looking that good? ;)/shades x

[silly billy]

The before and after shots are amazing  :o :o :o what a magnificent effort.Just wondering how long it took you to get it to that standard and also is there a reason (apart from looking great) to you planting the rosemary around the beds? Is it similar to planting marigolds etc around carrots?

[cmorningstar]

 :o  :o  :o  :o  :o
Wow.  Amazing plots Saddad. 

Now I'm tempted to try planting up a potager styled bed or two in my long thin plot to add interest in the centre.  How long did it take for your edging plants to establish themselves so well?

[Deb P]

My new plot is just opposite one of saddads, and I have to keep looking at it for inspiration while I  take some more rubbish to the dump for the thirteenth time......... ::)

[mc55]

Saddad, that's how I envisaged mine would look like, but with lavender edging to keep the slugs at bay ... but unfortunately I've only got two lavender plants so far ... am trying to take cuttings.  Very inspirational.