New Allotment - what can I grow.

[CDave]

Finally got my Allotment yesterday. Its about 50 x 18 foot. About a quarter was dug last year and used for spuds. The rest is gonna take some clearing with the usual assortment of brambles, crouch grass and a tiny bit of bindweed in one corner.

My priorities are to get a shed sorted and to grow something in last years' spud patch.

Any ideas on what I can grow? Suppose my priorities are plants that are going to provide decent ground cover (suppress weeds while I get the rest of the plot in shape) and beyond that - well some stuff that will just get me started.

Thanks in advance. Got some pictures and I'll try to post mid-week.

[CDave]

[1066]

Congratulations on getting a plot Cdave  ;D

As to what to grow - I'd have a think about what you and your family / friends like to eat?

Happy digging  ;)

[saddad]

If there is any clear patches at all climbing beans (French/Runners) are the ideal starters now and courgettes/pumpkin/squash to trail and cover.. just watch out there will be loads of molluscs in the overgrown areas just waiting to munch on the goodies...  :-X

[davyw1]

Hi Dave welcome,
Looking at where you have got your allotment it comes down to what you have available what you can scrounge from your neighbors and what you can get from the garden centers
Its not to late to set away cabbage, greyhound, spring cabbaage (spring hero), Savoy type for over wintering (tarvoy. Cauli (candid charm, cornel)
There is a very good place for getting veg at Shincliffe (Durham) very cheap and good.
Try and fill what ground you have available with out you can get, if they are growing the weeds are not.
Good luck

[kt.]

You can set most things away from seed now.  What is too late for seed sowing you should still be able to buy as plug plants.  Grow what you like to eat, and in succession so you minimise getting a glut of the same veg all at once. ;)

[nilly71]

Great news that you got your plot :)
If the old potato beds are weeded and ready to use then you could buy some small veg plug plants, when i first started i cleared a small area and bought 100 plug plants off ebay. This is the guy http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VEGETABLE-PLUGS-EBAY-100-MIXED-PLUGS-ONLY-7-95-/160434167510?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item255a9f1ed6 then it will give you time to start clearing the rest and start seeding for overwinter greens or green manure.

Neil

[Robert_Brenchley]

Put some early potatoes in.

[CDave]

Thanks for your responses folks. I've filled what I've cleared so far with whatever I could scrounge, swap for eggs - or was just offered(what a kind bunch my fellow plot holders are) - includes beans and squashes. managed to blag some comfrey roots too. Will help me get started until I get my set up for my plot sorted.