Just got an allotment (Merged)

domestic_goddess

Is there a guide that people use so that you know what to plant and when

Thanks

:beer:

debih

Hi. After over two years of waiting I have at long last got my allotment.

It is on a fabulous plot in the town a couple of miles away (I had to put my dad down on the tenancy with me as he lives in the town. As we do not I am not actually entitled to a plot but we dont have any in the village that we live in).

It is rather overgrown as it has not been touched for a year since the old man that used to have it died. But we have looked around the other plots and spoken to lots of allotment holders and they all tell us that the soil is fantastic and anything grows!

Even better is that because it is so overgrown, we have the allotment free until April next year. When we do have to start paying it is £15 per year.

We are hoping to spend the next couple of weeks clearing it and in the one patch that has been covered with black plastic we are going to get some brassicas in (I have just orded them from Arnolds Farm on ebay after reading another thread on here).

I am a complete novice, although my dad is a very experienced gardener, so I will be on for lots of tips.

Debih

moneysavingfamilycomp

hi
we have just got our first allotment aswell its in a much worse state though apparently hasnt been touched for about 5 years and had livestock kept on it before that we think we are going to spend the winter months clearing it re fencing it (it has no actual fencing apart from a few lengths of wire its all weeds and nettles) and digging it over and start planting in spring. my boyfriends the gardener and says from what he can see soil looks good. any advice on where we can pick up waterbuts wood for raised beds netting etc either cheep or free or any alternatives we can use would be much appreciated. i know alot of you allotment keepers have some fascinating uses for everyday items . hopfully we will all have lots of nice fresh veg next year :j

mumoffour77

Okay im convinced....I am so luckey to have a large garden, that houses a trampoline and a washing line!! Its on a slope and I dont know anyone who grows their own veg ect, I have also a large double garage that doesnt even house a car!! just rubbish, I would love to join the 2 of your quest for fresh fruit and veg!!!!

irishwexford

We took on our allotment in March and that was in a bad state as well. OH worked hard and I grew lots of veggies in two mini greenhouses and have had a bumper crop. Put too many cabbages and caulies in also beetroot but freezing runner beans and eating potatoes and carrots.Started eating sweetcorn now and have a nice crop of parsnips, leeks and squashes. I am amazed how easy it was to grow all these things from seed, everything we put just grew. Oh gets so much pleasure pottering around even though he as a full time job. I grew salad leaves in back garden so havent bought any veggies all summer. Best of luck to you, its handy having your dad on board with his knowledge.

Cooking_Gardener

moneysavingfamilycomp - I would try freecycle for things like waterbuts and netting, my local always has lots listed.

moneysavingfamilycomp

mumoffour77 wrote: »

Okay im convinced....I am so luckey to have a large garden, that houses a trampoline and a washing line!! Its on a slope and I dont know anyone who grows their own veg ect, I have also a large double garage that doesnt even house a car!! just rubbish, I would love to join the 2 of your quest for fresh fruit and veg!!!!

have a go :rotfl: we have a garden but its so full of flowers etc theres no room for veg plus we have got house up 4 sale so dont really want to put veg in garden . we have grown potatoes in large pots this year and it was so easy and they are delicious also got lettuce in pots. i now go into tesco look at price of veg and think hmmm. good luck

moneysavingfamilycomp

Cooking_Gardener wrote: »

moneysavingfamilycomp - I would try freecycle for things like waterbuts and netting, my local always has lots listed.

my son is registered with freecycle he hasnt seen much yet but il get him to keep looking ( he did get a free computer for his bedroom ) stopped him complaining i was spending too much time on MSE

tlck9

Are local area is starting a community garden scheme and are sorting out a plot...i work full time, so it is possible to keep an allotment going working full time?

And how much time is needed each week / daily

debih

Hi. I dont really know how much time we will need to spend up there. I work part time but have two young children (both now at school) so am hoping to slot it in between going to work, doing the housework and the school runs!!! Am not sure how feasible that will be!

I do also intend on taking the children to the allotment but know that I wont be able to do it everytime I go - I dont think their boredom threshold will allow it.