New boy needs help!!

[anton]

hi guys! :)

first time poster, and first time with allotment!  so i need major help please ;D

i am going to start digging tomoz with my best mate and my dad giving me a hand, but i need some advice.

i have decided to dig just a little area on sat and plant something on sunday - a little mad i know but i want to get something growing, so i can watch it when i am working hard on te rest of the plot :-\

2 questions;

what should i plant this time of year?

do i need to put anything into the ground first?

any help would be appreciated, as i don't want to look a numpty ;D

[anton]

[manicscousers]

congrats, anton, both on your plot and finding this site, loads of brill people on here with lots of advice,
I think it's a good idea of yours, dig, plant etc..I'll leave it to others to tell you about planting, we're only planting under cloches at the mo   ;D

[anton]

is that because it is still 'harsh winter' up in manchester manic? ;)   or is it to early to plant 'outside'?

[debi4529]

Maybe just a bit early to plant out yet. what are you thinking of planting? would be a good idea to set a few things off on your window sill til it gets a bit warmer, will give them a good start.
Good time to dig the ground though, then you can add a bit of organic matter to enrich the soil ready for your plants. :)

[manicscousers]

no, I'm a bit cautious, we have broad beans, onions and garlic in but the early peas, cauliflower and cabbage are covered..by the way, someone on here reckons b&q have onions reduced..
we've been told monday and tuesday nights could be a bit cold
also, i grow lots of things in fibre pots and plant them out when they're bigger to stop the d*mn slugs getting them  ;D

[greenscrump]

Hi Anton  :) potatoes and onions are a good bet at this time of year - pots would be easier to start I think as don't need as much prep and/or attention, there is loads of really useful advice if you run a search, mostly though, take your time and have fun  ;D

[Marymary]

Hi Anton & welcome.  You could plant some broad beans [though you might want to start them off indoors, onion sets or carrots under some protection.  I'm sure you'll get lots more suggestions.  Good luck.  :)

[The Amateurs]

hi anton,
We planted our early potatoes last week (Accent were the variety recommended to us have heard that pink fir are good too) to help protect from the chill we added some shredded newspaper around them.  We also popped some shallots in too. 

Hope that helps

Claire  :D

[Tee Gee]

Hi Anton

Welcome to A4A

Perhaps having a look at 'what to do this week' on my website might help to get you started. http://tinyurl.com/yn57zu

You don't mention where your from so specific advice is difficult, so get back to us and we will advise where we can.

edit; Noted you are from Leicester area so if you work on a couple of weeks before the dates shown on my website you should be OK

[anton]

indoors it is then :(  ihave some seed trays and might plant some lettuces and carrots,  although i mght still put some onions in - especially as they are cheap at b&q!  thanks manic :)

[anton]

thanks tee gee.

my plot is ne leicester!

i have another post asking about good books - i think i better start some serious reading :o

the prob with me is that i like to get stuck in and i'm not very good at instructions - typical man? ::)

i may need to adjust my approach with this though :-\

cheers to all for the great advice ;D

[bumble-dee]

hi anton...
              most of the people on our site have already put their first earlies in, with others doing so this weekend!   i say, get yourself along to your local garden centre or diy store and see if they have reduced their stocks.. may not have a lot of choice left for you, but it would make a start!  of course then there is the question of.."to chit or not to chit"!   you decide whether or not to plant them this weekend or wait a tad longer.
good luck anyhow and keep us posted,

Dee

[anton]

cheers dee!  you in the chat room later? :)

thanks for looking after me last night - first time and all ;)

[Jeannine]

Welcome Anton, Good Luck, XXX Jeannine

[anton]

thanks jeannine :)

i think i'll need it :o ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

If it's a new plot, it's probably going to be weedy. Spuds are a good bet since they shade most things out, and all the digging around gives you multiple opportunities to get the roots out.

[saddad]

Hi Anton, I'm up in the Wilds of Derby.... our spuds are going in over Easter, have most of the brassicas and leeks sown, up and pricked out... If you want to come up and have a look any time just pm me... we are in the yellow (NGS) book!
;D

[Barnowl]

We got our allotment in early March last year. Our "bible" was RHS book 'Growing Vegetables" by Tony Biggs but there are plenty of other books that are worth buying.

Have you somewhere warmish that you can start seeds off? If so there are quite a few things you can get going with now with a view to planting out in a month's time.

Direct planting: 1st & 2nd early potatoes should be ok to go in now; onion sets should also be ok.

[anton]

i have a conservatory that is noce and warm - what seeds are best to plant now, and when do i know they are ready to plant outdoors?

[cornykev]

Hi Ant and a big welcome from N London, plant out spuds, garlic, onions, broad beans, peas, parsnips,shallots and carrots, inside you can sow cauliflower, cabbages, tomatoes, leeks,beetroot, lettuce etc. Good luck and happy digging.   ;D ;D ;D