Hi - Can I start planting yet?

[purpleangelxxx]

Hi, I guess I am one of the few fortunate people who receive a blank canvas for an allotment.

I will be moving on to my new allotment next Saturday and it has just been built? for me. (I was given an allotment last September but it was situated where the new Olympic site is going to be so the LDA have moved us to a new site). I was informed there was no point in me growing anything on the last site so here I am - about to start from scratch with a lovely new allotment.

Are there any crops that I can start planting now? or do I have to wait till the spring?

[purpleangelxxx]

[sarah]

hi, congratulations on your virgin plot. i would try and get hold of some manure if you can while the ground is bare and pop a load on the bits you arnt going to use and cover with black plastic, this will keep the ground nice untill you come to use it inthe spring. as for things to plant now you will be looking at things like japanese onions garlic broad beans (in a month or so) and oriental salads. if youhave a look around here a bit you will find one or two threads in a similar vein with more information. good luck and keepus posted. how are the more established allotmenteers finding the upheaval of moving sites?

[Lauren S]

Hi Purple Angel, and welcome
Congrats on your new Lottie site.
I think Sarah covered the most important points.
I'm planting over wintering brassicas, onions and garlic and the rest I'm covering up.
Good Luck

Lauren  :)

[purpleangelxxx]

The guys who have had their allotments for years are gutted. It has totally destroyed the community and several of the other plot holders have left because of the distruption.
The LDA have moved all the crops and trees that people asked them to move and have been storing them and watering them so who knows what condition they will be in!
The allotment holders fought to stay where they were and got quite a lot of public support but loss in the end. It really is quite sad as I don't think the same community spirit that was on the old site can ever be replaced!

I am probably the only fortunate one in all the upheaval as it means I don't have to clear a completely overgrown plot.

[manicscousers]

welcome to the site..work out if you want soft fruit bushes, rhubarb crowns and strawberry plants, they can all be planted soon , have fun  ;D

[Lauren S]

I think I remember signing your petition.
Sorry it didn't work out. Who knows, pastures new might work out ok in the end.

Lauren  :)

[silverbirch]

Welcome.

Garlic can start going in now, and japanese onions, and broad beans and peas a bit later on.

Also, as it's a clean plot, think about doing a soil test, and planting green manures.

[purpleangelxxx]

Thanks for the advice silverbirch -

Forgive me for sounding dumb but what am I looking for on a soil test? Where can I get one from?

Also, what is a green maneur?

This is the first time I've been able to use an allotment and I have got so much to learn!

Sorry!!!

[RosieMcPosie]

purple angel- can i first say welcome! and congrats on your lovely new plot- ur very lucky!

to answer your questions - (i'm guessing)
a soil test is like a chemical reaction which tells you the ph of your soil- so you know what plants do well in it, wether or not it will need liming in order to support the plants you're planning to grow.

and greehn amnure is wonderful stuff, especially on a area of land your'e not planning to use for a while. basically you sow the seeds, let the plants grow, which will keep back weeds and improve soil structure, and about 6 weeks (depending on the variety) before you want5 to use the soil, simply dig in the plants... which add nutrients to your soil.

i love this stuff. seriously think about getting some!

[manicscousers]

hiya, purpleangel..put green manure in the search above, we've had a few discussions lately about it  ;D

[ruffmeister]

The guys who have had their allotments for years are gutted. It has totally destroyed the community and several of the other plot holders have left because of the distruption.
The LDA have moved all the crops and trees that people asked them to move and have been storing them and watering them so who knows what condition they will be in!
The allotment holders fought to stay where they were and got quite a lot of public support but loss in the end. It really is quite sad as I don't think the same community spirit that was on the old site can ever be replaced!

I am probably the only fortunate one in all the upheaval as it means I don't have to clear a completely overgrown plot.

i think the answer is most proably dead,

get some strawbs, rhubarb, overwintering brasicas and onions in now. cover the rest after its manaured

[cornykev]

Hi Angel and welcome, as above with the planting and good luck with your new plot, sad though about the other guys.  :(        ;D ;D ;D

[SnooziSuzi]

Hi angel,

congrats on getting a new plot; at least this one won't be full of glass, bricks and other peoples garbage like mine is  ::)

One thing though;  is your new plot on a former field or grassed area?  if so you'll need to watch out for wireworms and cutworms which live in grassed areas and will just LOVE all the new stuff that's going to go in to the ground! 

Su

[purpleangelxxx]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for all the advice!

Su - It was an old playing field but all the old soil has been removed and laid with all new fresh soil....I'm hoping that's a good thing?

It was only on this site that I first heard of gren manure (sorry, complete novice) any idea's where I can get some from?

[SnooziSuzi]

Ah,  that sounds better than the field just being ploughed, but you may get some for a while.

Re green manure; try some of the seed company's websites such as

• www.suttons.co.uk 
  
• http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/173/1
• http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_51

Hope this helps