What I wish I had known

[Pottypotter]

when I took on my allotment.

Weeds grow faster than veg
If you don't dig up perennial roots they will grow back.
People will pinch your veg and anything else moveable.
Label label label you might think you will remember what’s in the tray but you will forget.
Next year I will keep a diary so I do know what date I planted my parsnip seeds and what date they grow if they ever do.
You need to give up everything to tend your plot.
You get obsessed with the grapevine.



Any more?

Oh yes and home grown veg taste fantastic.

[Snadger]

I may be 'sad' but I'm happy being 'sad'!!!!

[nick the grief]

I can help you with the Parsnips PP, I planted mine on Sunday after having them on damp kitchen towel for a couple of weeks

Yes labels are important but you can just do it on your computer or in a notebook you don't need to put labels in the ground and whatever you use your memory will fade faster than a pencil

[has-bean]

when I took on my allotment.


Label label label you might think you will remember what’s in the tray but you will forget.
.

And dont forget to use permanent marker. I have 3 trays of "Peppers and Chillies "various" "because my ink washed off my carefully prepared labels when watering.

I know it seems obvious now but 7 yr old kids dont mix well with permanent markers so i used her waterproof ones. I now have my own safely locked away to avoid those sunday morning wall scribbling disasters

[dexterdoglancashire]

How true PP, how true!
Bernie aka Dexterdog
PS Keep a tube of Ralgax ready for rubbing on your back when you've done too much! LOL!....now where did I put mine?

[has-bean]

meant non- waterproof ones lol

[dexterdoglancashire]

meant non- waterproof ones lol

Ah yes! and black marker pens to avoid that awful....b****r! the sun has faded my red marker pen labels!

Bernie aka Dexterdog

[Alice]

I agree with you all the way PottyPotter except the "people will pinch your veg ...... etc" I don't doubt what I read on here in relation to these matters, but it hasn't been my experience of people. How sad it should be like that.

[wellie]

Unfortunately, it's true Alice....
The Piglets went on holiday last year, to find all their Strawberries had been pinched from their No. 1 Allotment. Cross my Heart.
Honest, it's shameful.....

[wheatleys wheels]

I have found that there are many people out there that will steal things if you dont secure them. I dont have an allotment as I have a garden and I've had things stolen from here too... while we sleep. It is not a good situation. I now have security cameraa to deter people but I shouldn't have to so I know how you feel.

[Headfry]

Make note of how many rows/plants you grow.......I get to the new season asking the same question....
how many did I grow last year?
I use a 2b pencil on my labels...works ok and I clean them with jiff!

[newgardengirl]

I am totally amazed to hear that people have had plants stolen, especially from their back gardens! Just goes to show, you get dishonest people in all walks of life. It's especially a shame since I keep reading articles about how allotments encourage a community spirit and so on.

[LaurenGrows]

I think in some areas they think allotmenteers grow FOR THE COMMUNITY. And that makes it *OK* to help-them-selves.
Lauren

[WiZeR]

I wish I had known:

Foxes will destroy your plots and your patience
Digging will ruin your fun
Other gardeners know best
Chatting to other alotmenteers will take up more than half your time
Weeds are evil

[Nicos]

.....you might need to buy a freezer!
.....mud really can be fun
.....and how dirty can your car really get?!!!