What Should I Do

[jemus]

Hi everyone, been down to my allotment today which we were allocated last week only to find two blokes have just rotovated it. I have half a plot and by the looks of it they have been allocated the other half. Their half is in a bit of a state with a HUGE shed that is falling to bits that is as wide as the lottie and about 12 feet deep. I think they were trying to get my bit instead of theirs and plant it out and then say to the council oops well as we have done all the work can't we swap.
so now to the problem i now have which is they have rotovated all the grass that was covering the plot into the soil.Can i plant into it after removing what i can or what do you suggest i do. My wife and i are new to this having only grown flowers in the garden and tomatoes and strawberries in the greenhouse.
to say we are green is a bit of an understatement.
We feel that mabe we have bitten of a bit more than we can chew but we really want to give our allotmant a go.
Jeremy

[sewer rat]

Boy, that was kind of them to do all that work for you !
First thing to do is get in touch with the council allotment officer and confirm (in writing) that the half of the plot that they have rotavated is actually yours.
Then as far as planting goes, you can plant into it without worrying. You can weed as you go, or make raised beds and weed the soil as you fill the beds, or plant direct - either mulching heavily as you go, or plant through a groundcover of some sort - either cardboard or landcape fabric.
One other thing - if it turns out that they have rotavated the plot for you, maybe a small reward would help keep relations sweet. No point in getting off to a bad start with your new neighbours.
Good Luck

[chuffa]

Hi there Jemus, your plot is your plot and if anyone has farmed it for what ever reason even if it is an accident, then as sewer rat says maybe a few tinies are in order. As its just been rotavated, get some second early spuds in and cover them with thick black plastic. as they come up, (you will see them pressing against the plastic) make a small cross cut and gently pull the shoots through the hole. This should stop at least a lot of the weeds coming back. So you dont compact the fresh soil, lay planks down where you want to sow these will become your paths.

[SarzWix]

Jemus, panic not, that sense of being overwhelmed always takes over just after you get your plot I definately had it - my plot looked like a field when I got it last year!
Go down as often as you can - daily, if possible at different times, note where the sun is etc, and then start drawing plans. If you can, cover lots of the plot with thick cardboard or something so that the weeds don't take over before you can set your beds out!
If your neighbours want rid of their massive shack, perhaps you could offer to help them pull it down in return for their helpful rotavating?!
Good luck, and enjoy it

[jemus]

thank you all for your advice i have just managed to get 24 seed potatoes everywhere was sold out and had to resort to ebay to buy some. (god knows if they will actually grow). and am looking forward to getting stuck in on sunday.

[seasprout]

Take a rain coat.

Good luck.

[Snadger]

thank you all for your advice i have just managed to get 24 seed potatoes everywhere was sold out and had to resort to ebay to buy some. (god knows if they will actually grow). and am looking forward to getting stuck in on sunday.

Good luck jemus!

Strange that about the seed tatties as both of our local garden centres still have a good selection on display?

The postage for eBay tatties would make them very expensive methinks!

[Snadger]

Take a rain coat.

Good luck.

Or do as Mrs Dobby suggests......garden nude and get rosy cheeks!

[treetops]

treetops

thank you all for your advice i have just managed to get 24 seed potatoes everywhere was sold out and had to resort to ebay to buy some. (god knows if they will actually grow). and am looking forward to getting stuck in on sunday.

If I cant find any seed potatoes then I buy new potatoes in the supermarket and leave them in my larder to chit and then plant them out and seem to have success with this.x

[SarzWix]

In the Recommendations section, I have just posted a link for a Thompson & Morgan special offer on seed potatoes & onion sets. Hang on, I'll find it...
Here ya go;
Potato Special Offer

[NOG]

You may have fun if they have rotovated the grass in. I did this when I first got my plot and it just grew back and was a right pain.

I would try to fork out as many clumps as pos.