New Allotment - Plans

[Bramwell]

Hi everyone,

I've just joined 'The Grapevine' and it looks the perfect place to get some advice.

I have just taken on a new allotment plot - 24' x 52' (wow!) and want to make the most of it. It's completely clear (new) and has had manure dug in and clover sown over the summer that has been just rotivated in. There are piles of manure just delivered that I can add now if I want to. The top soil only goes down about a foot and then it's very solid ground.

I'm planning some raised beds - probably 4' x 15' across the front with a 2' path in between.

I'd like some ideas for the rest of it! I've given my three girls a 6' x 7' area each to keep them interested. I'd like to have some raspberry canes and strawberries - but I'm almost caught in the headlights for choice.

What would you do? All ideas welcome!
Thanks.

[pigletwillie]

Welcome to the vine Branwell, it sounds like you have a dream start to allotmenteering.

[Bramwell]

Thanks,
Your blog looks great.
What wood did you use for your raised beds?
Bramwell

[SarzWix]

Welcome to the Grapevine Bramwell, what a perfect sounding plot??!!
I would suggest getting a book, such as Andi Clevely's 'Allotment' book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Bo...3216302&sr=1-2
which will help you make a plan of what to put where.
For your raspberries and strawberries, I know what you mean - there's just so much choice! How do you know which to choose?! Have a look on the 'Feeling Fruity' threads, I'm fairly sure there's a discussion about rasps there (my fave is Glen Ample...!) and probably strawbs too.
As for the rest, you could sort out a bed for onions and plant some over-wintering onions and garlic right now? Also get your compost bins sited and built ready for next year, put up a shed, sort out a covering for your paths to prevent weeds growing, and you could pland 'bare-rooted' fruit trees and bushes if you have space set aside?

Mostly just have fun, get to know your plot and it's soil.

[pigletwillie]

Scaffolding boards which are a bit expensive if you have to buy them, other people on site have used dismantled pallets or other recycled timber.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hi Bramwell, and welcome to the Vine!

Sounds like you have a cracking start for your plot! Of course the world is your oyster, but I would start by planning where you would like the 'fixed' features (fruit bushes/asparagus bed/herb garden/compost bin/tool shed/greenhouse) then the remaining areas into manageable size beds (4' max width unless you have really long arms!).

I'd use a 4 year rotation - there's lots of advice about this if you do a search on the green bar at the top. There's also quite a bit on making raised beds if you have a scout round too.

Happy gardening!

[carlseawolf]

CONGRADULATIONS ! it's a good feeling to have your own bit of ground , you have the same problem as i had lack of soil and raised beds is how i got around it. My plot is the same width as yours to give you refference and i've got 1.2m by 3.6 m beds ( sorry they are in metric but the planks i got where 4.8m long of 6 by 1 inches ) try to group them in fours as this will make crop rotation easier and try to keep any fruit trees to the north side of your plot so as not to cast shade on your plot ( also check it casts no shade on anyone else ) plan for big compost bins as eventually you will need them and spot for shed and greenhouse.
HAPPY GARDENING

[JennieAtkinson]

Hi Bramwell and welcome to the Vine - I'm sure you will get plenty of advice from everyone.

Good luck!

[moggssue]

Just wanted to say hi and welcome! Can't offer any allotment advice (yet!) except enjoy and have fun! Oh, and the general rule given on here seems to be little and often gets the jobs done!!

[seasprout]

Greetings.

Hello Bramwell, welcome to the Vine. You are now officially a 'Grape'