60 sq metres allotment - ideas/pointers?

gettingready

Hello,

I have been on a waiting list for an allotment for few years and finally are going to get one wohooooooooooooooooooooo

It is around 60 square metres (so about the size of my small 2 bed flat), apparently weeds covered up to my head (have not seen it yet, going to see it later on this week) but I am so excited

Got to make some plans for it - need help, ideas etc

It is within walking distance of where I live (about 30 min walk), far away from any cars/pollution etc.

I do not drive/have a car so needed something within walking distance. Veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happy

Live in a flat with no garden so over the moon.

Now, it is November/December - where do I start/what do I need to do?

Advise please? Pointers?



Thank you

welovemarmite

speak to a hire company. We hired a brushcutter that looks very much like a lawn mower. It cuts through the weeds and any saplings takes the top off so you can at least see the allotment. Made short work of hours. You will probably only need it for an afternoon.

gettingready

Thanks - going to see it one day this week and will see how to clear it first of all of course.

Apart from that?

botchjob

Congrats on getting your plot! As to what you do next, much depends on how much time you’re able to give to it, and how big your ambitions are. I got my first plot (overgrown) in March and as I’m only able to get to it for 2 or 3 hours a week, I’m sorting it out in bite-sized chunks. I got a lot done in the past season but I reckon it will be another year, maybe more, before I’ll have managed to sort out the whole plot.

My advice is to spend some time working out the basics - layout, paths, beds, where the compost bins/shed/etc will go, before doing any real spade work. And then take it one bed at a time. And I’d give serious thought to putting tarp over the parts that you’re not going to get to immediately, to keep the weeds down when they come in the spring, otherwise you’ll spend precious time weeding to no real purpose.

It’s a bit too late in the year to plant anything now so put those thoughts to one side until next year, and get the basics sorted before the spring comes.

My other tip for the top is to get an Azada hoe, which are absolutely brilliant. I got mine (a medium, or heavy medium, I think) from get-digging.co.uk and would thoroughly recommend them for digging over new ground. Much easier than using a spade or fork.

gettingready

Thanks -

Never had one, always wanted one so need to start from absolute basics of course.

Got to check out the few words you mentioned as havent got a clue what they mean - that for a start....

Timewise - I work full time and as it is dark early now, just the weekends. Otherwise more often in the spring can pop there after work as it is a nice walk from where I live to the allotments, will be taking my dog with me for a walk so double joy

wellused

Well very little will be growing for the next few months so as said earlier spend some time working out the layout of the plot, in my experience the path will already be defined so if you can have a shed decide where to place it, even if you don't want to go to the expense of a shed see if you can acquire some wood or old tin sheets to make a rudimentary shelter where you can leave non valuable items which you don't want to be carrying backward and forward every day. I wouldn't leave anything on an allotment that you would hate to lose as they aren't the most secure of places.
Your plot isn't actually enormous so if the weather plays ball and you can get a few weekends up there and if you are up to some hard work or better still if you can get some willing help you should be able to get it ready for next spring. Of course if this wet weather continues for the next three months then getting the plot cultivated no matter how small will be difficult, whatever you do don't walk on the areas that you want to cultivate when the ground is sodden because it will just compact the soil. Last winter I had dug half of my 250 sq yard plot and then the wet weather came so I had to suspend digging anymore, however I used to go to the allotment to burn brambles and construct a greenhouse, when I came to digging some more of the plot I found that where I had walked during the wet period had a top on it as hard as concrete it became a really hard job to dig.
Definitely cover the ground that you are intending to dig in the future with anything that will exclude the light, plastic sheeting, cardboard, wooden boards, and don't forget to secure sheeting to prevent the wind taking it away. So good luck with the plot, don't be afraid you will get it ship shape with a little hard work, and remember if the weather is too wet wait for the right opportunity to cultivate the ground and do a bit at a time.

gettingready

Thanks - will take a photo and post here when I go to see it.

Perhaps that will give some idea about the size what to do and in which order - and what I need to get to be able to do what needs to be done

Mojisola

Most allotment societies are very sociable. If the members of yours are like that, learn from them. It's worth chatting about what does well with the soil and the micro-climate of the site. People will often be willing to give advice (although you may get different advice about the subject!) and to share seeds, plants and cuttings.

Does your allotment society buy in bulk to keep prices down? Some buy seeds, seed potatoes, fertiliser, etc.

gettingready

Thanks - I have no idea at all... have not seen the plot even yet - just had an email to arrange a time to meet with the person who allocates those as some came up and I have been on waiting list for years....

Prothet_of_Doom

I used to have an allotment. Which came overgrown, and was given back overgrown 4 years later. I just didn't have the time, to spend, and no sooner had I spent 2 days digging and weeding one small section, and planting it with seeds, than the weeds had grown on the last patch I'd weeded. I managed to get about 1/4 of it cleared, before winter set in again, and then that end was under water from Novemeber to March.
I struggled on, limited in time, by erm Life,..wife, kids, and a job..and other hobbies. Eventually I admitted defeat. The guy that took it over was retired and worked 8 hour days on it 6 days a week with his wife, and by the end of the first 6 months it was perfect.
My point ? It's hard work. It's harder than you'll ever imagine.

BornAtTheRightTime

gettingready wrote: »

Hello,

I have been on a waiting list for an allotment for few years and finally are going to get one wohooooooooooooooooooooo

It is around 60 square metres (so about the size of my small 2 bed flat), apparently weeds covered up to my head (have not seen it yet, going to see it later on this week) but I am so excited

Got to make some plans for it - need help, ideas etc

It is within walking distance of where I live (about 30 min walk), far away from any cars/pollution etc.

I do not drive/have a car so needed something within walking distance. Veryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy happy

Live in a flat with no garden so over the moon.

Now, it is November/December - where do I start/what do I need to do?

Advise please? Pointers?



Thank you

I had to say thank you, as your obvious pleasure and enthusiasm has put a smile on my face. Good luck with the plot.