New allotment

[jemmachan]

Hello! I'm just about to sign the papers to get my allotment. I've read some of your posts and you seem like a friendly bunch, so I thought I'd ask for some advice.

I'm brand new to this whole idea, but I'm soooo excited. My plot  is not in too bad shape compared with other plots on the site, but there are a lot of thistles, docks and nettles. I wondered what the first things I need to do are? Should I cover up all of the beds I'm not planting in so that they don't get more weedy? There are some over-grown fruit cages that have lost their nets, but there are currants and gooseberries and rasberries in there. Should I weed them out or ignore them them til next year? There's a patch that is already covered with a carpet. Should I leave it and concentrate on de-weeding another area? I just don't know where to start. Thankfully it's only a half size plot or I might have just given up the whole idea after I saw it.

I'm quite concerned that I'm going to irritate the other allotment holders because I don't know what I'm doing!

Jemma xxx

[jemmachan]

[Blue Bird]

Hi Jemma
I am sure if your neighbours are like mine they are happy to give advise the problem is you do not always want it!!

and then they give you different advise so you end up setting someone.

I have had my half plot since December 2006 and have enjoyed it so much and am learning all the time and you will find that everyone here is so helpful

will watch what advise they give you but I am sure your fruit will be fine if you weeds and then protect them from the birds.

Good luck

BB  ;D  ;)

[caroline7758]

Welcome to the world of allotmenteering, Gemma. Ask whatever you want here, no matter how basic, and you will get an answer!If you let us know which part of the country (or world) you are in you may get some local knowledge too. If I were you, I'd leave anything covered that is covered already- by next spring the weeds under there should be well and truly dead-and just tackle a bit at a time. I don't know much about fruit so I'll leave that to the experts!Most of all, enjoy your plot. Hopefully your fellow plot-holders will want to show off their expertise rather than get irritated with you.

[cornykev]

Hi Jem and welcome to the nut house, I would take the carpet off and cover the most weedy patch and start to dig the carpetless patch,  some if not most of the weeds would be weak or dead. Aim for a small area each time you visit, little but often and you soon get through it, look back on what you have done and this will raise your spirit to soldier on good luck and happy digging.  ;D ;D ;D

[greenscrump]

hello and welcome  :)

hopefully the other allotment holders will be a good bunch and let you be, but s*d what they think anyway and don't let them deter you from experimenting and enjoying.   I'm no expert - especially when it comes to fruit (but someone else will be along soon  ;D )  It is a good idea to cover ground you're not using, but maybe you could dig the area that's been covered and get something in.   Mostly don't panic - it's a long term project that's meant to be fun.  Enjoy  ;D

[jemmachan]

Wow, you lot don't hang about do you?   :) Thanks for the advice. So does this sound like a plan?: I'll move the carpet to cover a weedy bit. Then I 'll dig the bit where the carpet was. Then I'll plant something there.  Have I missed anything out?

Assuming it takes me the whole of next weekend to do this, what should I be planting at the moment?

Jem xxx

[cornykev]

Where are you is there no rain ?  :o ;D ;D ;D

[greenscrump]

I'm not sure what you should be sowing for later planting (brassicas ?), but I'm planting out tomatoes, sweetcorn, squashes and beans.   You can definately sow salad leaves now and maybe splash out on some plug plants..... depends what you like to eat I guess  :)

[lorna]

Welcome to A4A

[jemmachan]

Yep! It's pouring down here in Bury St Edmunds. And there's NO WAY I'm starting this new project in the rain!!! Up until this point I've been a firmly sofa-bound, only walks to the fridge type of gal! I am hoping the rain will stop by next weekend so I can get going!! Jem xxx

[cornykev]

Hi again Jem, are you growing anything at home or in the greenhouse if not then buy some plants to put in like toms,peppers cucumbers or what ever you like. ;D ;D ;D

[asbean]

Welcome to the forum, jemmachan.  Don't try to do too much heavy labouring at once, don't be afraid to ask for advice (I'm sure your neighbouring allotmenteers will be happy to help) and check the posts on this forum; using the search facility you can find your answer to almost anything.  If you can't find an answer - then start a new thread and you're guaranteed to get a lot of quick replies  :) :) :)

[jemmachan]

I don't have anything growing at home this year. I did, but blackbirds dug up every single plant I put in! I might try to begin with some lettuce and other salad bits and pieces this season. I also like the idea of putting in some veggies that will come later in the year or next year. Jem xxx

[Rohaise]

Welcome Jem !   So happy for you ....and how lucky to have fruit cages with fruit bushes in already   :)  Even if you cant get to replace the netting over them ,I,m sure you will still get some fruit .  You can hang old CDs up on it to scare away the cheeky birds . Hey !  Good luck !  Rohaise 

[Sajaself]

welcome
I am very new too but everyone seems full of good advice and very friendly.
Good Luck

[kt.]

I'm quite concerned that I'm going to irritate the other allotment holders because I don't know what I'm doing!

Never a dumb question. If you feel embarrassed about asking them then just ask us. Or if you use the site search engine you can usually find what you are looking for. We all started somewhere so don't be shy and ask away. Enjoy. ;)

[cornykev]

Even if you think its a daft question I guarantee we've all asked them and I bet there's ten people waiting to ask the same question, so just ask away and I bet the Bournemouth girls are the first to answer their sh#t hot on any subject.  ??? ;D ;D ;D

[jemmachan]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I feel much happier having heard from you all. I'll take some photos and let you know how I get on! I can't beleive how friendly and helpful you've been. If all allotment people are like this, I'm sure I'll settle in in no time at all! Jem xxx

[manicscousers]

Hiya, jem..elcom aboard...after weeding, we cover the ground in between our fruit, e.g. raspberries and blackcurrant bushes with thick cardboard, then weed control, then wood chippings (we can get them free from the recycling centre)..keeps the weeds down, and the fruit appreciate the wood rotting down  :)

[Lauren S]

Hi Jem
Welcome and congrats on your new Lottie.
Make friends with your lottie neighbours they might have some left over plants that could start you going.
You are very lucky with having a fruit cage already. Maybe take a look in the cheapy shops (Poundstretcher, Lidl etc) for some netting.
Have fun plotting, planning and planting
Lauren  :)