I just got my first plot

[jclo]

Hi All

Just the other day I had that eagerly awaited phone call and as of this Sunday I have my very own allotment.

The location couldn't be better as it is about 1.5 mins walk from my flat! I think its quite a small plot as it (and I hope this is right) is a 5 pole plot. Still its better than my 3ft by 6ft area in my garden that I used this year! It has been used recently, in fact the person that has just given it up still has some beans on it that he will be picking this week. There is also a large courgette plant, purple sage, spinnach, carrots and rhubarb growing there.

As I am new to all this I really would like some advide on where to start. I'm planning on removing everything from the plot apart from the spinnach and the purple sage (although I would like to move this plant, is that possible?). I'm planning on building 3 small wooden bins, 2 for composting and 1 for leaf mulch.

What advice can you give me on getting going the right way? Is there anything I can plant now? Or is it all diggin for the next few months. I cant wait to get down there and get going!

Thanks
John

[jclo]

[keef]

I'd keep the rhubarb too! unless you dont like eating it of course.

[jclo]

I'd keep the rhubarb too! unless you dont like eating it of course.

No I don't, neither does the other half. Still It will make good compost.

[Dunc_n_Tricia]

Congratulations!!!

You'll never regret having a lottie - all that healthy exercise, and you get excellent food to eat after working up the appetite. ;)

If you want compost bins though, you might just be in luck. I got three very heavily subsidised ones from the following site http://www.recyclenow.com/compost/  ;D ;D ;D

They only cost £6 each - and they were delivered free. I ordered them on Monday and they arrived this afternoon - can't say better that that. 8)

It is some kind of scheme that they aren't shouting too loudly about, and is in partnership with your council. I think it only lasts until the end of this year, so don't hang around too long.

Tricia  :-*

[bennettsleg]

I'd keep the rhubarb too! unless you dont like eating it of course.

No I don't, neither does the other half. Still It will make good compost.

The leaves will make good compost, the crown may well settle in for the long haul and produce more.  

Can you identify a bed layout?  Ideally you don't want to sow carrots where carrots are growing now. Runners love being on the same bit of land year in year out so you may wish to leave them alone.  Get some books out of the library - or buy some - to do with allotment gardening: they'll help alot (excuse the pun).

The best rule of thumb I heard about crop rotation was: if you grew it there last year, dont do it this year.

Consider what crops you will grow: a bit of everything or the stuff you love which is expensive to buy in the shops. Do you want perennial crops (asparagus, globe artichokes, jerusalem artichokes, fruit trees/bushes etc) or jusr annuals.  

A shed would be useful, and a greenhouse if you have no suitable or not enough windowsills.

There are crops you can plant now: over-wintering onions, brassicas, garlic, chinese vegetables and probably loads more that other people will mention.

Grab a book, it will help tremendously. :)

[saddad]

The rhubarb makes great jam with a bit of Ginger....
;D

[jclo]

Thanks for your replies!

Those compost bins are well cheap! I'll have a look into them.

As for the plot, well it appears that I'm getting more land than I first thought. I now have an extra bit that has 2 apple trees (they are only 3.5ft but have loads of apples!) and a load of raspberry canes. I know where there where some carrots and some runner beans but as for the rest of it I have no idea what was there.

I was planning on growing a bit of everything that I like and now as I seem to have more land than I first thought I will be able to grow even more! To start with I thought of growing the following

Garlic
Onions
Sweetcorn
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Peas
Broccoli
Carrots
Cabbage
Raspberries
Strawberries

Do you think thats too much to take on ?

[bennettsleg]

Thanks for your replies!

Those compost bins are well cheap! I'll have a look into them.

As for the plot, well it appears that I'm getting more land than I first thought. I now have an extra bit that has 2 apple trees (they are only 3.5ft but have loads of apples!) and a load of raspberry canes. I know where there where some carrots and some runner beans but as for the rest of it I have no idea what was there.

I was planning on growing a bit of everything that I like and now as I seem to have more land than I first thought I will be able to grow even more! To start with I thought of growing the following

Garlic
Onions
Sweetcorn
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Peas
Broccoli
Carrots
Cabbage
Raspberries
Strawberries

Do you think thats too much to take on ?

It all depends on your available time; the list sounds fine to me.  Are you planning on sowing them all now? The peas, toms & sweetcorn would best wait until the appropriate time next year.

[Barnowl]

"Cut and come again" salad leafs grow really quickly

[jclo]

No I was going to plant the garlic and maybe the onions in October. The rest I was going to plant next year.

I meant to add lettuce to my list, thanks for the reminder ;)

[Multiveg]

No I was going to plant the garlic and maybe the onions in October. The rest I was going to plant next year.

I meant to add lettuce to my list, thanks for the reminder ;)

You could try broadies Oct/Nov to yield hopefully an earlier crop.

Congratulations on getting a plot.

[jclo]

Sorry I'm new to all this, broadies, is that as in Broad Beans?

[rjp]

yes yes ;D

[silly billy]

The list of things you want to grow is fine.I would advise you to grow anything you fancy trying, and then the following year you can refine your list and add to it.

This year we grew alot of potatoes and next year we won't grow anything like as many.You will constantly learn and adjust to grow what you like and what you can grow well.Goodluck!!!!!!

[ThomsonAS]

Unless you enjoy spinach, I'd clear that too - it's not hard to grow and if what you've got is of the 'cut and come agin' type, it'll probably benefit from a bit of crop rotation.

One thing that's almost always worth doing is to whack down a few sacks of rotted manure  with most crops (but not all) it'll do no harm - and improving the soil quality is one of the best investments you can make.

ALastair

[jclo]

Thanks for the advice!