New

[SueLawn]

Hi,
We have just got our first allotment, at 7pm this evening!!
We live in Gloucester and have 3 children, who are as keen to get digging as we are!
We are fairly new to growing our own veg and are prepared to learn by our mistakes!
Tomorrow we start to dig, clear away the weeds and think about what we will plant and when!
The allotment is roughly divided into 2, the top section looks like it was worked fairly recently and has a few weeds and even some leeks and parsnips growing. The lower section looks like it has been left for a year or so, it has sorrel/dock, nettle and cleavers growing! The bottom also contains a young cherry tree and is overshadowed by a blackthorn, and extends down to a  hedge. Can anyone suggest the best crops to grow in shaded, dry conditions?
We would also welcome any advice or tips you may have.
Many thanks,
Sue

[SueLawn]

[emmy1978]

Yay! Well done you!  :D It's great for the kids in so many ways, we love ours and it's our first year. Still clearing, but planting every clear patch as we go.
Sounds like you've got a great plot. How shady is it? The dry you can work with by mulching lots with straw etc to keep in moisture. Our site is soooo dry, that's what I'm doing.
Anyway, welcome, you'll find loads of friendly folk and good advice here.  ;D

[kt.]

Not a bad time of year to get one. Hope you didnt wait too long. Enjoy. ;)

[Jeannine]

Welcome from me too XX Jeannine

[allaboutliverpool]

See how I got started 12 months ago. You can plant tomorrow!

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

Click on getting started

[sutton girl]

Hi well done and welcome i am also a newbie to the site

[cacran]

Good Luck, Sue!!!! I got my allotment at the end last year. I am still excited about it. I would be there all the time if I could get away with it! (other half does not share my enthusiasm!!!)

I planted my onions a couple of weeks ago and my spuds on Good Friday. I have divided my plot into beds with string and pegs. I am slowly finding things to make paths between each bed. bit hotch potch but it will evolve. I have dug each bed and covered with some black perforated polythene until I plant them up. I have got the advice to leave the bed where I intend to plant brussel sprouts. they need to be planted in very firm soil. I can't wait for something to grow!!!!
Let us know how you progress.

[sarah]

hi there, welcome its great to see so many new faces on this site(especially mums with kids ;)) sounds like you have a good plot and i agree with what the others have already said.
i would start on the half that looks like its been recently used and turn it over and put some potatoes in (doesnt matter if they not chitted) and start sowing things directly into the ground like carrots and parsnips and beetroot.  leave a bit for beans and pumpkins which can go in after threat fo frost has passed (may/june) - you could get the kids starting those off in pots at home on the windowsill.  then i would turn your attention to the more weedy half and clear that slowly of perranial weeds and then maybe cover it till next season. good luck anyhow.

[ruffmeister]

hi there and welcome to allotmenting, we have created a getting started guide, if inetrested to get you started.

www.lottieblogs.co.uk\gs.aspx

[manicscousers]

hi there, suelawn..welcome to the site..loads of lovely people here with lots of good advice..congrats on getting your plot, happy planting  :)

[rdm51]

Hi Sue
Welcome and good luck from one of the Scottish mob.
Bob

[saddad]

Hello Sue and welcome... hope you enjoy your site and this one as much as we do!
Just to show what can happen... before, well after the first digging..

and after...

[spacehopper]

Hi Sue, hope you have loads of fun on the allotment.  ;D

[cacran]

Are those box hedges around each bed, Saddad? It looks great?

[SueLawn]

Thanks for the welcomes.
I spent 6 hours digging yesterday and a further 3 today!
I cleared the loose, scraped back with a fork, dug and removed white roots from a section 4.10m (the width) by about 1.5m, then turned it twice removing any more weeds. We found lots of interesting good and bad bugs (leatherjackets, centipedes, woodlice, millipedes, wireworms, green caterpillars, and lots of BIG worms!), children enjoying it. DS aged 6 is digging his hole to Australia!
My job is quiet physical and I get up at 4.30am 2 days a week, so tonight I am really tired and achy!
Tonight I have read the info on the site on leatherjackets, and I am quiet distraught about it! I think we were wrong about he drainage problems in the back garden as I have found these LJ's hiding everywhere. The 'drainage' problem effects 100's of new houses here, I read on the site about cheap turf, and I am wondering if the problem could be LJ's and not drainage! The biggest deterioration seems to have occured Feb - Mar this year, would that fit with the LJ life cycle?
Glad I have found such an interesting site, and pleased to be welcomed as a member  :)
Sue

[glosterwomble]

Hi Sue,

I couldn't help noticing your location, I'm in Gloucester too. We are on the Hawthornes/Tredworth fields site. We got our plot in November of last year so it is very early days for us. Originally I was told that I could get one on the Estcourt Road site which I would have preferred but now we are on the one in Tredworth I am more than happy. Which site are you on?

Good luck and I hope you make a success of it

Chris (aka Glosterwomble)

[Biscombe]

All the very best on your new plot and welcome  ;D just remember you cant do it all in a weekend, little by little! and enjoy xx

[kitten]

Hi suelawn & welcome!  We're also newbies, took our plot on 1st January this year, and are learning by our many mistakes as we go too  ::)  ;D

Sounds like you've got plenty done already, but don't try to do it all at once or you'll end up with a v sore back & not able to enjoy it!  :o

Don't forget to take some pix for us so we can see how you're getting along.  (I never tire of the pic of saddad's plot, it's just so darn pretty  ;D )

Most of all, good luck and make sure you have fun x

[cornykev]

A big welcome to the madhouse Sue and happy digging. ;D ;D ;D

[SueSteve]

Hi,
I am now SueSteve, I had problems with PC, and couldn't get back on, so started a new login!
Dh & I spent 3 hours there this morning, before it got too hot. And even then I got sunburned on teh tops of my ears :o
How do I put pictures on? I have one pic from after the first few hours on there so I can post that up if you like.
Sue