Layout

[MissPea]

I’ve tried searching for any posts on this before, might be too far back, I’ve seen more people asking too, but I’d like to see some pictures of allotment layouts if you don’t mind sharing? I’d love some inspiration. Genuinley don’t know where to start and I like to have a plan before starting something. Thought it might be a nice idea to start one if there isnt one already,

Thanks 😜

[Dyl]

I have no experience and have just taken on my first half plot but I couldn't help dreaming up my layout. It's on my thread ' first allotment'. Here's the link but I think you have to click my image for it to resize properly.

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...lotment-3.html

As far as planting goes it's very vague, I'm still thinking of all that!

[Snadger]

I had an odd shaped plot which I thought would be well suited to 'Keyhole' gardening. I started with a 'Scrapheap Challenge' and just got it the way I wanted it...…...then I moved 30 mile away!

The moral of this story is, unless you hope to keep your plot for the rest of your life, don't be too ambitious with the layout.

[Jay-ell]

Not everyone needs to build a scale model of an aztec temple though Snadger.

MissPea - before deciding if you are going to use edged beds, raised beds, keyole beds etc you might want to have a year growing with a big bed garden.

A big bed is just that, split the site into 4 with main paths in between and sow veg in rows in the beds. That way you get to see how the sun runs on the plot during the season, where the shade is, which spot gets the most sun in summer/winter/both. You can then decide if you want to grow in the big beds or split it into raised beds or edged raised beds.

[Snadger]

Not everyone needs to build a scale model of an aztec temple though Snadger.

MissPea - before deciding if you are going to use edged beds, raised beds, keyole beds etc you might want to have a year growing with a big bed garden.

A big bed is just that, split the site into 4 with main paths in between and sow veg in rows in the beds. That way you get to see how the sun runs on the plot during the season, where the shade is, which spot gets the most sun in summer/winter/both. You can then decide if you want to grow in the big beds or split it into raised beds or edged raised beds.

Its a bit like the overgrown wilderness of Machu Picchu now Jay!

[Snadger]

Let your imagination run wild but don't put down any permanent paths or make permanent beds for the first year!

[MissPea]

I’ve seen a circle in the middle of squares idea and liked it but didn’t know what went in the middle, what did you have? That layout looks great @snadger
@Dyl I seen your thread earlier today was interesting.

[veggiechicken]

Do you know where North is in relation to your plot?
Are there any trees or neighbouring buildings that cast shadows?
Are you going to have a shed or greenhouse.

Knowing your plot will help you decide the layout.

[MissPea]

That’s a good idea actually @Jay-ell was just hoping for something different. Don’t mind changing them, I like change lol. But I’ve not started yet so might change my mind about that one haha! Yeah so if your facing the plot the sun supposedly starts from the right and moves over the left giving full sun, as there’s not a lot to block it I don’t think. (I wrote a post about my new allotment and it has a picture if your interested in seeing it) I have a blow away for now and might think of a shed in the future but low funds mean it’ll have to wait. There’s a massive fence behind my plot (wire) with a supposed orchard owned by the council and some one who was meant to run it but can see no one looks after it and the weeks are out of control. So no doubt seeds all over it I want a small part for my two young children too 1&3 somewhere to play with diggers or something they love to make a mess which will be fun (and somewhat stressful)

[Jay-ell]

Do you know where North is in relation to your plot?

She's in Glasgow so there's less of it compared to your plot

[Dyl]

I want a small part for my two young children too 1&3 somewhere to play with diggers or something they love to make a mess which will be fun (and somewhat stressful)

Looks like we have a similar age gap between our kids though mine are slightly younger. I've got a small plot but keen to have enough in it to occupy them! Will follow for ideas!!

[Chestnut]

My layout in the first year was roughly decided by crop planting dates.
I started digging/weeding in one corner, and found that a five foot row was a nice size for digging - no idea why I settled on 5’.
Dug a 5’ row from one side of the plot to the other, over the course of several weekends. Then dug another row right behind the first one.
Planted garlic in the first weekend’s patch, overwintering onion sets in the next two weekend’s worth, all the way through to pumpkins in the last patch!

Once I had a year of using the plot, I knew instinctively where I walked most/least, where was a wind tunnel, best light, loads of glass in soil etc, and was much easier to make a proper plan

[Snadger]

I’ve seen a circle in the middle of squares idea and liked it but didn’t know what went in the middle, what did you have? That layout looks great @snadger
@Dyl I seen your thread earlier today was interesting.

The idea in my old plot was to have four main keyhole beds for to crop rotate in. All work on each keyhole bed can be carried out from the paths of the keyhole, part of which is the central turning area in each. I got a bit arty farty in my turning areas.

[MissPea]

I love this! See this is why I need inspiration. I love all things random and different. So I’d love to have one that looks different from the rest. I always over do everything so the general rectangles are nice and neat, but everyone has them.

[Cadalot]

Early layouts of Plot 1A



Master Plan for Plot 1 + 1A



Plan of my second plot that I gave up when I got Plot 1 next to my first plot 1A