Just got an allotment (Merged)

katskorner

You might also need to lime it - you certainly will where you are growing Brassicas (cabbage, sprout, turnip, broccolli etc..). You may have a local allotment association in your area - ask your council. If you have you can buy stuff off them really cheap rather than paying garden centre prices.

katskorner

charlies_mum wrote:

Thanks for the info, but I'm a bit confused - aren't potatoes root crop ? See, I told you I was a beginner

Yes effectively but they are hungry.

The only ones that do not need fertiliser are parsnips and carrots as they will fork in nutrient rich soil and prefer poor soil.

charlies_mum

katskorner wrote:

You might also need to lime it - you certainly will where you are growing Brassicas (cabbage, sprout, turnip, broccolli etc..). You may have a local allotment association in your area - ask your council. If you have you can buy stuff off them really cheap rather than paying garden centre prices.

I met one of my fellow allotmenteers (think I just invented a word) and he says the guys down there are great, they have had their allotments for years and will always help and donate unwanted plants etc.

katskorner

That is excellent - some of them at mine are nice but there a few who have been there forever and think they own the place. They can be very nasty sometimes. I just ignore it or give as good as I get. Most times I go there is noone else there - even in summer!

Dustykitten

Oh I hope you have fun. I took over a small allotment last year with a friend which was completly overgrown. It was such good exercise clearing the plot - we succeeded in doing 3/4 of it. My advise is hoe, hoe and hoe some more. That is once you have cleared it. I would recommend not getting too stressed by what is right and wrong. Learn as you go along what will grow on your plot. There can be so much to consider soil ph/drainage/stones etc etc. Just have fun, remember there is always next year and that what does well one year may not the next. Crop rotation is a good idea (not growing the same crop in the same patch each year ie if you do pots in one area this year do them in another next year). Good luck

hardpressed

albacore1854 wrote:

Just don't do raised beds.

Why is that?

albacore1854

Pet hate of mine.I prefer 40' long rows, and hand digging. I have two beds each 180' x 40'

My unofficial allotment survey indicates that the raised bed fraternity have a far higher quit rate.

.

suzy_g

may I ask why? I thought raised bed made the work easier?

albacore1854

They do, which is why I guess the system appeals to the more lazy individuals.

Markfd

Welcome to what will be an addiction!
I took over a very overgrown 5 rods in 2005 and still have one of the scruffiest plots on the site. dig a bit and plant is my advice. Don't get caught up in the beauty contest, it doesn't have to be an immaculate looking plot. I'm amazed at the people on my site who have immaculately kept plots but leave the veg in the ground to rot because it is too cold/wet/windy to go and pick.

If you can't clear the lot, dig a bit, plant something quick, like lettuce, eat it, and you will be back like a shot to dig some more.
You wouldn't believe how different something like sweetcorn can taste when it is cooked and eaten within an hour of being picked.

For seeds
http://www.dobies.co.uk/
how he does it in Leeds
http://www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/tech/calendar.htm

And it will keep you fit!