My First Allotment

MascaraMinx

My husband and I got our first allotment after only waiting 6 months on the list! It's a large plot with a shed and was very well maintained by the previous holder, who created raised beds and flagged pathways.

I'm new to all this, but I have an allotment diary and assorted books on the subject. Along with fruit and veg we are having a herb garden and a flower patch (which is automatically entered into the annual flower border comp - hee hee!).

So I thought I'd come over here from where I normally lurk in mortgage free wannabe and say hi and read some threads

Smoffi

do not plant herb into the patch...keep in pots.. they spread so quickly and take over everything

you came to a good place to get advise

KazLA

We're in a similar position, we'd been on the waiting list for a couple of years and now have a small allotment. It is just a square bit of ground, but is at least clear.

We've had a few vegetables in the garden over the last 2-3 years, but have also come here looking for hints and tips!

We planted some onions and garlic at the end of the year, but looking forward to getting going properly soon!

Need to save up for a little shed at some point...

Good luck with yours, it sounds fantastic with the raised beds.

conradmum

MascaraMinx wrote: »

My husband and I got our first allotment after only waiting 6 months on the list! It's a large plot with a shed and was very well maintained by the previous holder, who created raised beds and flagged pathways.

I'm new to all this, but I have an allotment diary and assorted books on the subject. Along with fruit and veg we are having a herb garden and a flower patch (which is automatically entered into the annual flower border comp - hee hee!).

So I thought I'd come over here from where I normally lurk in mortgage free wannabe and say hi and read some threads

Yes, you're very lucky to have inherited such a well managed plot. Allotments are usually given up because their owners can't keep on top of the work and the new owners are faced with a weed-ridden, perhaps even rubbish-strewn, piece of land.

When thinking about what to grow, start from what your family likes to eat. Also, think about grouping similar plants in the same area, e.g. onions & garlic & leeks, or all the brassicas together, or peas & beans. Then you can get a rotation system going.

Ask for more specific advice as you go along and I'm sure there will be lots of people on here willing to help.

valk_scot

The most useful and inspiring publication for allotment holders and vegetable gardeners is The Kitchen Garden magazine. They also have a specialist forum on their website. Both highly recommended...I've been reading the magazine since the first issue, about thirteen years ago. Nearly as long as I've had the allotment.

MascaraMinx

Thanks for the tips guys!

I'm off tomorrow to buy my seed potatoes to chit and some onions and garlic which I think I will pot indoors until next month - does this sound about right? Or can I plant them outside straight away?

We are really lucky to have inherited a great plot, the previous plot owner even left us some tools and all his membrane/ plastic sheeting/ compost etc. There are canes and twine all in places for beans and raspberries, and we also reaped the benefit of his hard work when we first took over in October with all the leeks and potatoes he'd left!

So I'm determined to get it right while we have it. My son is only 2, so we have reserved a bit of the plot for a sandpit and for his own little garden! There is a spare raised bed that I think I will use exclusively for herbs as we will use these a lot. I am learning about soil prep at the moment, and think I have a handle on what to plant first, but I don't really understand the more advanced things like crop rotation etc. I'll be back here soon with questions!

MrsTinks

Try to get seed potatos that are from a more blight resistant spud Nothing more disheartening than seeing your beautiful rows of spuds wilt in a matter of days from blight

Links to some to help you get started

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/potatoes1/ilist/blight-resistance.html

conradmum

With the garlic, if your soil isn't too wet, which, if you have raised beds, it isn't likely to be, I would plant it straightaway. Most garlic needs a period of chilling to form proper bulbs.

For onions, I have planted them as early as this and been successful, although an old boy at my allotment told me it would make them bolt. Again, on raised beds my guess is that they'll probably be okay. Have a look at the instructions on the packet. If you don't want to plant them this early, keep them somewhere cool and light to delay sprouting. I wouldn't bother starting them off in pots. But that's just me.

Zazen999

MascaraMinx wrote: »

Thanks for the tips guys!

I'm off tomorrow to buy my seed potatoes to chit and some onions and garlic which I think I will pot indoors until next month - does this sound about right? Or can I plant them outside straight away?

Garlics need to go in the soil ASAP; so when you are out grab a good quality bulb planter - they are invalueable for planting out seedlings. Break the garlic up and get it in the ground, any ground, soon as you can.

Onions, need to go in once the frost date for your area has passed.

MascaraMinx

Brilliant, thanks again! I will be back with more Q's soon I'm sure

macma

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php

this one is also a great forum where you don't have to join if you don't need to ask questions, they're very friendly (like here)and don't mind even the daftest questions I know 'cos I've asked them:rotfl: