Hi All, after being on the waiting list for two years I have just been given an allotment havent seen it yet but its full size - yippie. Have grown a few things in the past but only know a tiny bit - where do I start! How can I get a cheap shed/shack, whats is the best book to get, what do I need...any tips - help much appreciated :) :
Congratulations ;D ;D
And it's a great time of year to take a plot on; you've got time to dig soil and dump manure on it where necessary before winter sets in with (we hope) some heavy frosts to kill off the bad beasties and break up the lumps.
You will need... oh the list is probably endless but how about starting with a good spade and fork. Make sure the handles are comfortable; you'll be using them a lot! I prefer the Y-with-top-bar shape to the T-bar handles -- not least because they're easier to secure against thieves >:( And I have a long, narrow trowel that is the delight of my life because it eats long tap-rooted weeds for breakfast ;D
As for the shed... local papers, freecycle, ebay are all fruitful (though the market is very fierce in the last two).
And thinking about where to start...
You could put some autumn onion sets in now-ish; I find the sight of those sturdy little green spikes is most encouraging in the bleak mid-wotsit.
Whatever, however; have fun!
Try freecycle you may get a shed from there.
Well come to the site hope every thing goes well for you.
my brother just recently acquired an allotment and he too has no shed.
However, he just simply forwarded an email around his office and a woman just happened to have one sitting in her garden and is very pleased to be getting rid of it.
Give it a go. You might be lucky. Get everyone you know to put the word out that you are after a shed and whoknows.
Good luck
Hello! Another newby here! Picked up the keys yesterday & had my first dig today! Can see why no fat gardeners so will hopefully be a skinny gardener soon! B&Q have got a small shed for £99 if thats any help? Good luck with yours! With mine I've started digging - plot hasnt been dug for years but thankfully only ankle height weeds etc & met a lovely guy who gave it a swipe with his strimmer (now have strimmer envy as well as shed plant & general plot envy!!). Will think of you as I dig my 88feet by 24 feet plot...seems like a mamouth task but just trying not to be overwhelmed & get some plastic down...also saw free manure at a local farm so will take them up on that later!! Good luck with yours! ;D
Welcome to the wacky world of allotments!
Only had ours for a couple of months, and been too dry to dig till recently. We inherited two sheds, two compost darleks and a greenhouse frame, along with knee high weeds, heavy clay soil, and a plot not worked for years.
Don't know what part of the country you're in, but our local rag has one of those cheapy sections every Tuesday (you know the thing). We quite often see cheap or free sheds and greenhouses in there. You might have to dismantle it to collect it, but who cares if it's cheap, or better still, free. Or try putting ad in local newsagents/shops.
As for books, I've got loads. (Being one of those people who, if I need to know how to do something I buy a book), but I usually find this site is better. The gang on here can solve most of your problems, but I found The Allotment Handbook by Andi Cleveley (Fiver off at WH Smiths at the mo apparently) about the best for the basics.
Happy digging (and more digging, and weeding, and more weeding...................)
I concur The Allotment Handbook by Andi Cleveley is probably the best on the market at the moment.
put a notice on the gates to your allotment asking if anyone has a shed.people come and go at different times and you don't always meet all the plot holders but they should all be able to read your notice, you might get lucky
Great news for you!! I didn't have to wait for my plot (although there is a waiting list now).It must be dreadful wanting to grow things and not being able to.I wish you the best of luck and hope you have many many fruitful years of growing.There will be times when you wonder if its worth it when you have to dig all that plot but its worth it ;D.
A good way to get a fairly cheap but new shed is to wait for b&q's 15% off days and if you have or can take someone with an over 60's card you get another 10% off on a Thursday.
Happy allotmenteering!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D