Allotments 4 All

I've just taken over a plot that was cleared by the council a couple of months ago, weeds were treated and the plot was covered with plastic sheeting.  This has torn in places and weeds have come up through the gaps.  I have now cleared the site and am ready for the 'next stage' - problem is I'm not sure what to do next!!   :-\
My friendly allotment neighbour informed me that as the plot has been vacant for a few years I should just dig in some 'muck' and leave the plot empty until next spring. Can anyone advise me on whether this is my best option? I had really hoped to get some stuff in before then.
All suggestions gratefully received!
Plottie  :)

If its been vacent for a few years and clearly capable of growing a fine crop of weeds I would go for it and get some stuff in.  We took over ours a couple of months back that had been unused for years and most things seem to be growing pretty fiercly.
If it had been heavily used previously without break I'd be more inclined towards the dig in muck and leave it a while option.

don't use fresh manure- it contains a lot of weed seeds, as I have found out to my expense! compost it for at least 6 months. this is also adviseable to get rid of any nasty bugs, like tetanus.

I would certainly get some crops in we have most of July and all of  August and Sep..Plenty of time for the salad stuff..
Certainly get some spring cabbage etc in later this year as well as the over wintering onion sets ...Seems a shame to wait while next year.

Don't forget Garlic about October and i always sow a row of Spring Onions about half way through September.Plenty time before then as the others said.

This is my current to sow list:-
Spring cabbage sow July - August
Chicory sow June - October
Chinese Cabage Tatsoi sow July - October
Corn Salad (Lambs Lettuce) sow March - August
Salad Rocket sow March to July

Start plants in pots and transplant when big enough to easily differentiate from any weeds. Spacing 12in x 12in grid I find easy to hoe between plants. Direct sowing has been a disaster for me on my new plot as the seedlings just get lost in amongst the weeds or get eaten by slugs, snails, mice and birds.

Prepare beds and sow green manure crops in place of plastic sheeting
Winter Tares (Vetch) sow March - September
Phacelia Tanacetifolia sow March - September
The bees just love the Phacelia I planted last September and I can highly recommend it.

Why wait?

My sentiments entirely Ed, in fact I CAN'T wait!! I'm determined to get going with some of these suggestions
Many thanks
Plottie  :D