Just got my first allotment

[THH]

Hi,

Finally taken the plunge and got my first allotment  :), we have got a half plot at the moment 15 feet wide x 90 feet long.

The plot has been rotavated by the council which I thought was good until I read a few bits  >:(!!!!

We were thinking of doing raised beds.

Any suggestions on what we should start with  ??? ?

Thanks.

[THH]

[SMP1704]

Hey congratulations.

Opinion on rotavating a plot is mixed here.  I think for a 'starterupper' it's a good idea - you know the pitfalls of rotavating, so get in there with the fork or spade to ferret out the evil roots, at least digging will be a lot easier now ;D

Raised beds for some crops work well, but for others like spuds you need a bit more space.  I have ended up with a long raised bed for my raspberries and 4 8x4 beds for crops like carrots, onions, salad and herbs.  The rest is open, but in effect two large beds as I have a path running down the middle of the plot.  In these I grow spuds, peas, beans, corn, brassicas etc.

Half the fun is in experimenting and deciding what works best for you and the location.

Happy plotting

[sarah]

hi, good luck with it, there are a lot of new plot holders around the forum at the moment and if youhave a look around you will find quite a few threads on what to plant or sow now. personally i would take it slowly and not rush into the raise beds yet. perhaps prepare an area for overwintering onions garlic and broad beans; you have a good couple of months to make ready for them. cover what is not going to be used over the winter with black plastic or cardboard, preferably with some manure underneath if you can find a good source (ask about - others on your site will know). then over the winter months do a bit of research about wether raised beds are what you really want. if they are then spend some time planning them out with an eye towards rotation etc.  if you have fairly light soil you might find it usefull to just have unraised beds to start with until you get the feel of your plot and where you want things to be. i have had my plot for three years now and i am still juggling it around.  as for being rotovated - its been done so you just need to work with it. if the plot was free of perrenial weeds then rotovating it will have done no harm.  if it wasnt free of perrenial weeds then you will be spending a lot of time weeding, just like the rest of us!
any pics?

[saddad]

Hi THH and welcome aboard... pics would be great...
;D

[THH]

Thanks for the tips, spent our first few hours at the plot today levelling a bit of area for the shed to go. Decided though to go the whole hog and take a full plot rather than the half we have now as we don't want to to lose the next door plot while we have the chance.

I'll get some photos when there is a bot more that rotavated mud!!

We are planning at the moment to get the ground ready and laid out to sow next spring so hopefully we can get it fairly weed free.

[barbaramaureen]

HiYa
Congratulations.  Can I say just one thing, dont let it become a worry.  If anything doesnt grow Tescos is still open!!!  Enjoy what you have and take it easy.  We have now had our allotment for around 18 months and have plenty of vegies to eat and. as a bonus, nice people to talk to.  Hope you have the same experience!!  Try garlics, some brocolli, leeks and winter cabbages and start planning for next year.


Barbaramaureen

[Lauren S]

THH Congratulations on getting your lottie(s). Now is the best time to get one. All the winter preparations and planning done at your leisure. Not as much pressure unlike getting one in Spring or part way through the growing season.
I wish you all the best for next year's growing season  :)

Lauren

[elvis2003]

hi THH congrats on your lottie,hope it brings as much joy to you as ours has to us,love rach xx

[twinkletoes]

Welcome THH. I only got my plot a year ago and have had mostly success so far.  It becomes addictive but like barbaramaureen says - don't  let it become a worry - if something doesn't grow properly there is always next season.   All the best and pics?

[cornykev]

Welcome to the madhouse THH, most has already been said so just get your fork out and dig out them roots, time taken on it now will save you a lot of hassle in the long run, happy digging.  ;D ;D ;D