Just got a allotment, feeling rather scared

[bluebluepaula]

Hi, my friend and i have just got out allotment and are feeling rather scared and dont know where to start. We have a fruit cage with plants in it, not quite sure what they are. Very over grown, no shed, but a tap on the of out plot, so hoping to get friendly with other gardeners. Belinda and i (paula) will be asking lots of questions, so i hope your ready with money saving tips and the right veg and fruit experience to tell us what to grow. We are on a very tight budget, so any tips and knowledge would be very welcome.
Thanks
Paula and Belinda.

[piskieinboots]

Don't be scared and congratulations

First thing to do is sit down with Belinda and two glasses of wine and plan what you want to grow come Spring

[Alice]

Congratulations Paula and Belinda and hope you have many hours at the lottie.
As Piskie says, the place to start is with a plan so sit down together and decide what you want to grow. Keep it simple to start with. Gardening is a long term project so everything can't happen all at once.
You'll get plenty of advice on here - and a laugh. Enjoy.

[bluebluepaula]

Thanks for that but it might take more than a glass. We go and pick the keys to the gate up tomorrow at 11, we are like 2 giggly school girls, and thats before the wine.
Thanks for replying,
P & B

[Birdie Wife]

Congrats! Don't worry, you've got a lot of digging to do and it's a great way of thinking about what your priorities are veg-wise. You'll get the hang of it! Prioritise by going for what's easy (potatoes, courgettes, onions, peas for example), what you like and what's hard to get fresh and local in the shops. And enjoy the process!

[Rhona]

Congratulations! Lucky you! You're going to have sooo much fun (and the hard obv) so start planning!

I would be tempted to get a few lists sorted out and aside from established fruit etc. aim for using say 60% of the plot for what you're going to eat on a daily basis; 30% for expensive-if-you-buy-them things like artichokes for example; and 10% experimentation.

I'm sure some would disagree but that's my best tip! And get your composting sorted out, and try not spend too many looong hours on here instead of the lottie!

[bobleponge]

Go for it. Plan it, prepare it, plant it.
Great fun, hard work, good exercise and a great source of knowledge here.
Enjoy

[kirsty b]

Congratulations and good luck.

[Nicos]

Nah...you're not scared...that's excitement in anticipation!!!!

Fantastic news that you have a lottie...and right next to the tap too!!!

I'd get into the fruit cage and weed it and then you can look at one job completed!!
Bit by bit...bit by bit!

...and welcome to the Vine!

[bluebluepaula]

Thanks for every one that have said something, we now have paid our £5 for our key to get in the gate, their has been a bit of a of a mix with plot bounderies and and we only have half a fruit cage and a lot more work to do, but still got the tap.
Looking forward to getting down there some time soon, and clearing the mess up.

[bluemoon]

Remember, it isn't a messy allotment, it's one that's full of potential for you to plan and do things your way. Much better than a perfect, well cultivated plot that's been designed for someone else's needs. I accept you won't see it like that, but I've done it both ways and the bramble strangled plot turned out better for us in the end........trust me.