Hi I'm Caroline, We have just taken on an allotment plot and am wondering where to start. The council are going to turn it all over for me but then what.
Any advice or tips would be great.
Caroline
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ina
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Hi Caroline, welcome to the forum!
Where to start - that's a good question... If the council are actually going to do the hard work for you, you've already got past the stage where most other people start: getting the plot cleared.
I would get myself a good gardening book; look at some advice on your soil - what you can or should do with it, whether it needs improving.
And then, make a plan: Do you want fruit bushes or trees in it? Decide where you plant them; they should go in later this year. Decide on anything else that will stay in for a few years (strawberries, asparagus etc). Get an idea of how you'll rotate your crops around the plot, too (the gardening book will give you details on that).
For quick results (which will give an idea of the joys of harvesting homegrown stuff!), sow some radishes, salad leaves, anything else that will grow quickly. Peas should still be fine - have a look at seed packets and what they tell you about sowing time.
You could also sow green manure on those parts of it that you are not going to use for crops immediately - that'll keep the ground covered, and add a bit of goodness to the soil instead of letting it leach away until the first full gardening season.
Where to start - that's a good question... If the council are actually going to do the hard work for you, you've already got past the stage where most other people start: getting the plot cleared.
I would get myself a good gardening book; look at some advice on your soil - what you can or should do with it, whether it needs improving.
And then, make a plan: Do you want fruit bushes or trees in it? Decide where you plant them; they should go in later this year. Decide on anything else that will stay in for a few years (strawberries, asparagus etc). Get an idea of how you'll rotate your crops around the plot, too (the gardening book will give you details on that).
For quick results (which will give an idea of the joys of harvesting homegrown stuff!), sow some radishes, salad leaves, anything else that will grow quickly. Peas should still be fine - have a look at seed packets and what they tell you about sowing time.
You could also sow green manure on those parts of it that you are not going to use for crops immediately - that'll keep the ground covered, and add a bit of goodness to the soil instead of letting it leach away until the first full gardening season.
Ina
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Shirley
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Caroline
How LOVELY to see you here
How LOVELY to see you here
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G'DAy Caroline!
Welcome to the forum!
Nev
Welcome to the forum!
Nev
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glenniedragon
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Hello there! welcome to the forum, one thing I'd add is only grow what you like to eat, I know that sounds a bit obvious but standing infront of those seed packets is sooo tempting. Ina's right about the soil, if you grow what likes the soil you're not trying to swim against the tide all the time. Good luck with the lottie!
kind thougths
Deb
kind thougths
Deb
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Andy Hamilton
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It is quite late in the season to be getting an allotment but not to worry, have a look at this page for some idea of what you can still plant.
I planted out some butternut squash plants today and some french beans.
I would suggest you wait if you want any soft fruit plants, also don't make the mistake that many make and make sure that you actually like what you are growing.
beet spinach or chard would probally be a good one to go for now as you could gt a crop from about 1 month or so right up until the winter months.
I planted out some butternut squash plants today and some french beans.
I would suggest you wait if you want any soft fruit plants, also don't make the mistake that many make and make sure that you actually like what you are growing.
beet spinach or chard would probally be a good one to go for now as you could gt a crop from about 1 month or so right up until the winter months.
First we sow the seeds, nature grows the seeds then we eat the seeds. Neil Pye
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