Nearly Total Novice

[nuttyone]

I am just waiting to "take delivery" of my first allotment ....it is covered in what I am told is meadow grass and a few docks. Where do I start? I am not in a position to dig it myself.......have I taken on too much?

[nuttyone]

[Tinkie_Bear]

Dig a little bit - enough to get your garlics / broad beans in.  That will spur you on to did and reclaim more.
Good Luck, enjoy your lotty.

Helen

[shirlton]

Firstly welcome to the site. We have just taken on a plot that is just like yours. Grass and docks. The council sprayed it for us yesterday and are going to rotovate it in a few weeks. Although we do like to grow things as naturally as is possible, we are a couple of oldies so need a head start. Where abouts are you in the country cos you may get help to do yours. Some areas in the midlands give you the first year rent free if the plot hasn't been cultivated for a tme. I have posted you a pic of our new plot so you will not feel so alone in your quest.

[teresa]

congratulations on your plot.
you can do like shirlton has done or if you dont like the idea of spraying you can cover it all in carpet,lino,tarps even cardboard anything to stop the light getting to the grass.
This will kill the grass in a week or two then see if anyone on lottie has a rotavator to go over it for you ( one chap on our lottie will do it for you for a small charge) or hire one.
I often wondered if a turf cutter would work then rotavate it afterwards? you could stack the turf to rot down and return it to lottie later.
I got my first years rent free it was a nightmare.
One tip when you have it dug over keep it covered untill you plant this will stop weeds growing for you at least gives you a head start.
like Tinkie_Bear says put something in to grow it will give you insentive to go on.
have you made a list of what you want to grow thats the exciting bit I found hee hee.

[manicscousers]

congratulations on getting your allotment, as teresa says, cover it with whatever you can get, keep a small part uncovered to plant in to, one thing about rotovators, make sure you get the nasties out first, docks 'n' stuff, someone on our allotment didn't do this and ended up with a bed full of docks, have fun, don't look at it all and do what you can when you can  :)

[nuttyone]

I have just come back in from shopping and Yes ! my key has arrived.....so it was lovely to receive all your tips......I can't wait to get down there now.

For those who asked where I lived, I live in Surrey, and NO I don't get it free for the first year because it is overgrown...maybe I should suggest that !!

It does have a kitchen, toilet, and BBQ area.....and an enormous pile of manure which is free of charge !!

Do I understand that I can plant garlic and broad beans now, and they will over winter fine? What else could I plant this late in the year?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Garlic will be fine, and so will some broad beans; aquadulce claudia is said to be the best for this. You could try overwintering onions, but it's getting a bit late for these now. They really need to get some decent growth in before the cold weather arrives.

[teresa]

Onion sets will be comming into shops soon, fruit bushes, rhubarb love it, even herb plants if you do mint do put it in a large bucket with a broken bottom it takes over.
I like this site from another A4A member:
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Indexes/index.htm
have fun

[manicscousers]

yes, between now and march, you can plant soft and top fruit, all the bare root stuff's available now.. :)

[saddad]

Just remember little and often... regulars who see you often will probably offer you a few bits, like Leeks and Parsnips to keep your interest... I certainly do on our site!
8)

[nuttyone]

I am certainly inspired by all your guidance and tips. I can't wait to get started ! All I need to find now is a Garden Centre or nursery that will meet my needs. I live very close to the RHS Garden at Wisley. I might start there although they can be a bit pricey. Any thoughts?

[shirlton]

Wilkies have some great bargains if you can get there in time before everyone snaps them up.

[cornykev]

;D Yes nuttyone get onions, garlic and broad beans in , its a loverly sunny morning here in Enfield Middx so I'm sure its much the same in Surrey, Wilkes always gets a mention on here ask Shirlton I'm sure they have shares in the place  ;) If its tools your after car boots a great place to find them good luck.

                       May the corn be with you.

[supersprout]

hi nuttyone, welcome to the forum and well done getting your plot :D
all been said - broadies, onions, garlic
best advice I ever got starting a plot was 'just keep putting stuff in and you'll get stuff out' ;D

you don't have to dig if you don't enjoy it or can't do it :)
http://www.organicgardening.org.uk/factsheets/gg2.php
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/schools_organic_network/leaflets/NoDigGardening.pdf

that should get you started ;)