Allotment Virgins... The story of Plot 13...

ShootForTheMoon

Hi Guys!! :wave:

So, we took on our new allotment, plot 13, a month ago... :j
It's a project we've been looking forward to for a while, BUT, we've never grown anything before in our lives - so any advice would be gratefully received!

Hoping to use this thread as a diary to keep track of our progress and hopefully get some help from some more experienced gardeners!! Of course, any other newbies, please feel free to tag along so that we can give each other some moral support!!


A little bit of background:

We are a young couple (25 & 28) Our friends either think we are completely mad or old before our time!! :rotfl:
We live in an apartment overlooking the sea, which I wouldn't change for the world - but we don't have a garden, so the plot will serve a dual purpose as a garden area / outside space and then the other half as an allotment.

We've taken on a 1/2 plot (20'x20') so that we can get started without being to overwhelmed.

We've been working hard to clear the plot and get it up-together so that we can start planting come the new year.
We definitely want to grow organic and plan to spend very little money on the project...

So, if you have any advice, please fire away......

Some photos of the work so far to follow (if I can work out how!!)

kizkiz

Good luck
Just a thought, but check your contract before using half as a garden. There is usually a stipulation concerning how much of the plot needs to be cultivated

Badrick

ShootForTheMoon wrote: »

Some photos of the work so far to follow (if I can work out how!!)

This may be of some help.

To post pics:

Thank OP in link if it worked for you.

ShootForTheMoon

Excellent, thanks Badrick, I'll try that now!!

Thanks Kizkiz... Our allotment is privately rented rather than council - so the terms are quite different, and much more relaxed, which is nice. They are quite happy for people to use it as a garden - some people keep animals on their plots too!

ShootForTheMoon

Lets try this picture thing...



This is Plot 13 when we took it over......

ShootForTheMoon

... and how it looked after me and DBIL attacked it with spades!!

ShootForTheMoon

Unfortunately OH's grandparents home is now on the market following the death of her Pops and her Nan having to go into a home due to failing health.

We wanted to make something positive of the situation.
The allotment has played a great part in both our families lives. My Dad is a very keen gardener, which he got from my Gran. And OH's Mum and her Pops were also green-fingered.

We were lucky to be given a lot of tools, Nan and Pops bench, and the poly tunnel, a Belfast sink etc. as gifts...

So, here's OH looking very proud of the progress we've made so far...

ShootForTheMoon

Now we just need to get a shed...

Thinking of buying from new, after much deliberation, the thought of dismantling a rotting shed to bring it to our plot is not very appealing!!

We haven't spent anything as yet on the plot (except the rent, of course) so this will be our next purchase... Exciting times!!

Cally_Smart

It will be interesting to see your plot develop.What a tribute it will be to your relatives -it looks like you've really thrown yourselves into it.That digging looked very thorough.Judging by the fine crops of beans etc behind you you have a sunny fertile plot. I'm envious, I've only got my garden & this year have developed a little area by the side of my house to grow some vegetables.I bought most of my seeds from Wilko when they were doing 3 for 2 offers.Also we have an Aldi in our area so as I go by I see what plants they have -got to buy them quick they have no time to look after plants and they often look like they need a bit of water! Dont forget to have a herb garden -they are vital =nothing improves food like herbs! Mint (in a bucket or it will soon take over to put in with those new potatoes)Parsley(I use it with garlic & butter for garlic bread,Rosemary (for your lamb roasts)Sage ( to go with your onions for your stuffing,& Thyme for your gravy at least. Love the pictures -promise you'll do some more as you go!

ShootForTheMoon

Thanks for the encouragement Cally!! What a lovely post

I'm a massive foodie, so hoping to have a nice selection of herbs, the ones you've mentioned, plus oregano (which I'm absolutely obsessed with) and marjoram... My lovely dad has already given us cuttings which I'm starting off at home.

We're very lucky with the plot, as its private, I think they've invested a fair amount of money into it. The top soil is good quality, if a little sandy - and I've double-dug right down to get all the weeds out in preparation for planting - most of which I'm planning to leave until the new year. Need to acquire some manure to dig in first I think!!

OH planted some rocket in the poly tunnel a few days ago, which is already starting to shoot up - exciting times!!

Promise I will keep posting pictures as we go.....

ShootForTheMoon

Made a quick phonecall to my friend who owns a large local garage. He has given me a load of tyres for nothing, he's a top bloke, so not only has he given them to me, he washed them and got his boys to drop them off to me!!

So, I've just stacked them to make raised beds!! These will eventually form the herb garden (already started some mint and lavender) and a planter for our strawberries...

Also rang our local beach bar and acquired their recycling bin full of glass bottles to edge the garden area!!
Quirky looking, functional and free...

Not everyone's taste and certainly not a traditional allotment, but a great reflection of our personality and lifestyle!!