Newbie, New allotment! Where to start?!

[Womble]

Hi everyone!
I have today received confirmation that the spot I chose is "mine"! Hoorah! It's my first ever allotment. My first ever outdoor space for that matter - unless you count the herbs on my windowsill! So I just thought I'd see if any of you had any good tips as to what I should be doing at this time of year to a plot that's been a bit unloved for about 18months. I know that I need to clear it out - not that it's too badly overgrown, no brambles, just a few low plants, weeds & odd bits that have seeded there. But, my question to you is.... where do I start?! I would like to get it ready to plant in the spring (or before if possible - but I'd heard that there's not much I can plant at this time of year). Also.... I would like to be as organic as possible!
Thanks, and I look forward to sharing tips with you all soon!  :D

[Womble]

[Moggle]

Well done Womble, and welcome  ;D

See my 'got my lottie' thread for what I've been doing since I got my lottie 3-4 weeks ago. I'd advise covering some, and starting to dig what you can. Slow and steady wins the race in this kind of thing.

I've spent about 12 hours on my plot so far, digging, tidying and composting, and have got around two thirds of my 9 x 14 yard plot dug.

Think you can still plant garlic, broad beans, and possibly overwintering shallots now.

Good luck with it, and take lots of photos for us to look at  :)

[Sarah-b]

Hi Womble - congratulations and welcome!!
It sounds like you are one of the lucky ones - getting a plot that is in a "not too bad" state. You should have no trouble getting it all up and running for spring planting.
Like Moggle says - just go at it steady and if you can't get it all ready - just cover it and don't worry about it until later.
And let us know how you get on.
Sarah.

[windygale]

Hello Womble, hope the fun starts for you like it did for us, i've have my plot for about 2 months, i pulled up most of the weeds fisrt ( 4 wheel barrows ) then rotovated, and now i've dug and will leave my plot to plant untill spring.
Moggle was correct in saying "slow and steady" take your time,(take time to look at her pic's) make a compost heap, and plant what you want,here's a pic when i started






later windygale

[mitzzy]

hi

great to hear another new  allotment holder has been born :)

I have had mine since end of July . I tend to dig 1 to 2 hours a day . cleared my 3/4 of my plot but I have decided a change of job last week and I have started to double dig .

covered the uncleared part  with carpet that i got at the dump

it a slow business but I will get there in the end
I am hoping it doen't  snow this week , weather forcast said it will get cold .
It was cold but lovely today when i went down .



get your self a good pair of gloves to protect your hands is a my tip ,i dug for 1/2 hr  once without gloves and I had a blister develope


Mags

[Mrs Ava]

Congratulations and welcome!

There has been lots of talk on these forums in the past about starting out and where to start, and the addy given tends to depend on the season, however, this is a great time of year to dig, so long as the ground isn't waterlogged, browse through seed catalogues planning next years harvest, get a shed if you can have one, definately build/acquire a compost heap, sort out water collection if there is no mains water on site, and if it really isn't too bad and you can start to clear beds quickly, you can still plant broad beans, onions, garlic, shallots and fruit!

But, mostly, enjoy it, don't rush it, it isn't going anywhere, and at this time of years the weeds growth slows right down.  Buy yourself a large bottle of radox to sooth your aching muscles, (altho I find a large whiskey helps me more!)

[Womble]

Excellent! Thank you all for the tips.... I picked up my key this evening from the council, so am "raring" to go. Well, ready to pop back up there at the weekend and have a mouch and a think! Will head up to the local tip and see if I can steal some carpet for covering too.
Where will I find Moggle's photographs? Would love to take a look.
Shopping trip for some basic kit this weekend too methinks......
Cheers all & talk soon.... will hopefully get some piccies sorted out to post.
8)

[Moggle]

Womble, my photos are in my 'got my lottie' thread http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?board=7;action=display;threadid=5642;start=0

Befores are on page 2 I think, and afters on page 3

I would definitely reccomend before photos, as you can really see how much progress you have made. It doesn't take long to get somewhere.