Allotments 4 All

Hello All

Thought It'd be polite to introduce myself as I'm new here.

I've just signed and returned the agreement for my first ever allotment. I have to admit that I don't have the first clue about horticulture, so I'm glad I stumbled across these forums.

My plot is on the canal bank in Worcester and it's completely overgrown so I've got my work cut out for me before I even think about planting things.

Any advice for an absolute novice would be gratefully accepted.

Anyway, lots to read.

Wigwam

Welcome Wigwam.
What part of Worcs are you from?..I'm originally from Kidderminster.
Be careful you don't fall in the cut. ;D
;D ;D ;D ;D

Hey, wigwam, and welcome,

Best bit of advice I got: Remember it's a long-term project. That way you don't get depressed when you make (inevitable) thingy-ups. Do things in manageable bits; don't try to do everything at once. And get something growing straight away.

Good luck  :D

Hello wigwam, welcome :)

Hi Wigwam and welcome!

We're not too far away - Oxfordshire Cotswolds.

Your plot reminds me of a few years ago and my previous house - it was like Beauty and the Beast's garden! Seemed insurmountable at the time, but little by little I got to the end (about 1/3 acre) and had veg garden, flowers, lawn, recovered the orchard bit and even built a pond.

It was thoroughly rewarding and worthwhile, and I learned so much. So many people are open and willing to give advice and share, especially here.

Best of luck! You will get there. Just take it bit by bit, as Bupster said.

CLx
(Oh, and take photos as you go - you'll be amazed to look back!)

A VERY big welcome!!!!  ;D I hope you enjoy these boards, learn lots (Im one of the Learners!) and have a good'un!

Welcome to A4all, it is a wonderful place and very addictive!

Welcome aboard, real good crowd on here. You will get sensible and intelligent answers to any question you ask. (just don't ask me cos I am a real novice despite my age ;D)

Welcome welcome welcome..... lots of newbies arriving which is great 'cause it means I'm not such a newbie......still don't know a thing about horticulture either but at least there will be others asking silly questions now!   ;D 

Congratulations on getting your plot.  Only had mine a week and still wondering "what the b****y hell have I done!" and waking at 3 in the morning wondering if I should make paths using old cardboard or grass or if I should pull up the stair carpet and lay that..... :-\ 

As I have said elsewhere tonight please post a photo of your plot - before and afters are great to see.

Amanda    :D

Welcome aboard Wigwam.  I hope your allotment gives you a lot of pleasure.   ;)

Hallo Wigwam, do not try to clean the whole plot in one go.
Try to clean one part and start growing.... and than the next one.....
Good luck and enjoy...

Welcome Wigwam   ;D Great place to have an allotment.  We have had a lot of canal holidays which have ended up going through Worcester and onto the River Severn... Lovely place to have an allotment.............lucky you  ;D

Hi Wig wam welcome to A4A. :)

Wigwam, congratulations - I got my new lottie recently and its also very overgrown.  The best advice I've had is to just concentrate on clearing one or two beds for this season, and take your time over the rest. 

I've taken before and after photos and have been amazed at the difference - when you tackle bite size pieces you don't realise the progress you've made.

Happy digging !

Hello! I'm up the A38 in S.B'Ham. Pleased about your allotment - and pleased you found your way here - hope you'll be able to clear a patch & get something growing in the Spring. Have a look in Swap Shop & see if there are any seeds going spare you fancy trying... :)

Lishka

That was a warm welcome, thanks very much everyone.

I should really show you all what I've let myself in for (against better advice I admit).



Oh dear! What have I let myself in for?

Hi wigwam welcome..Looks like get yer goggles on and give it a good strimming.
Rake it all in one place out of the way ready for burning .then stand back and plan from there .. You got a fair size plot  there ...cheers Jim

Hi Wigwam,
welcome and congrats on the lottie! I agree, it will look so much better once it's had a strim, then I'd cover it to stop the grass growing back. The most satisfying thing I did the first year after strimming and clearing half the plot was putting in some potatoes and other easy crops like perpetual spinach. You get fairly quick results and time to contemplate digging the rest of the plot. By the way, after nearly killing myself digging the plot I discovered an Azada (a tool you chop the ground with rather than dig) this is fantastic, clears the ground in quick time and saves your back ...
Good luck!

Hi Wigwam! I'm new too  :)

Your new allotment look ENTIRELY manageable to me! When I 1st started I had the 'vote of no confidence' from at least 10 people ... it just made me try EVEN HARDER! Good luck.

TRIXIE xxx