Just got an allotment (Merged)

squiggle37

went to see allotment last night, have decided not to take one on, the small plot had gone and the others were tooo big and very overgrown, plus i dont think i would have felt safe there being on my own just had a spooky feeling about it, got another couple of numbers allotment associations to ring plus my name is down with the council.

Primrose

If the only option for you is having a large plot it's probably worth advertising or asking the allotment society to see if anybody would be prepared to share one with you. Quite a lot of people do this. It provides company, shares the labour and the cost.

squiggle37

good idea will ask that when i ring to arrange to see the next allotments

thanks

Mudbath

Hope you find one soon. We share our allotment with friends and it's our third year. The first two years has been about digging up weeds, brambles, bottles, rubbish, coins....you name it we had it I think. We still managed to grow a bit though. This year we've put a lot more time into it and it's quite organised now. It does change your life...we spend every spare minute there now. Good luck.

Ladygrim

Yippeeee!!! I will be getting an allotment at the end of July, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on what to plant this time of year.

The ground will already be prepared, so I can start planting straight away.

Unfortunately we are not allowed sheds or greenhouses on site, but we do have access to running water but no electricity.

Am looking forward to harvesting my first crops.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thankyou

P.S. will be buying new equipment as well, so advice on what to get (and not get) will also help.

LG

katskorner

You can get some carrots, lettuce, beetroot, radish, spring onions, pak choi in straightaway. You can also get some young plants of purple sprouting and cabbage from the garden centre and put those in. Sprouts too. Too late for seeds with those though.

Congrats on getting a new plot. Isn't it a brilliant feeling? I need to get down and do some serious weeding on my plot as the weather has been a perfect pal to weed growth lately! Hopefully tomorrow, and then I can get hubby digging up some potatoes for us too!

As far as equipment goes, mostly I find a fork much more useful than a spade as they woirk the soil better. A wheelbarrow is helpful if you can store it safely. I also use a hand trowel and hand fork, a home made dibber from an old broom or spade handle (or buy one) - it is excellent for planting stuff.

Oh and if you are planning to grow brassicas then you need netting (to stop pigeons) and lime for them. Always keep fleece handy - great for stopping pests like carrot fly. And again, net for fruit or the birds get a free lunch.

And remember the old allotment motto - make do and mend! Don't shell out on expensive equipment and wood and stuff. It can usually be aquired for a fraction of the cost or for free. Keep an eye out on freecycle for items that you could use. We make all sorts!

Pint_of_Gem

Just put my name down for an allotment, which the lady said I should (fingers crossed) take possesion of in September. Now is the time for planning therefore! What is the best thing to do when I get it - other than dig over and get soil sorted? Can I plant stuff for winter veg, or stuff to come up in Spring?

Next year I would like to grow loads of things. This year I experimented with raised beds in the garden and have been succesful with salads, beetroot, purple french beans, corguettes, and the peas are coming along nicely. The carrots are not as successful, only two came through!

kazwookie

Well good luck, there are other threads around about starting up on an allotment ~ you might get some ideas from them.

domestic_goddess

i have the opportunity to get an allotment... What things could I plant at this time of year

Thanks

Keith

I planted, lettuce, carrot, turnip and radish yesterday. It is very late for turnip but thought I'd risk it.