I'm going to sound so think but...

[Wicked.Witch.Of.Westbury.]

I really dont know where to start and was wondering if I could ask you all a few questions?? I am really sorry if I am asking questions that have been asked loads of times, but only just joined the site too so just getting the hang of it.

I got the keys to my allotment on Sunday and it doesnt look like it is in a bad way at all (will try attach some pictures).

1) At the back of my plot there is a large wooden crate like box that I can only think is the compost bin... what do I do with it?? Obviously I want compost, but how will I know that it is compost and not just all the "rubbish" that I have put in there?? Oh and is there something about proper coffee going in there??

2) I am planning on going on Friday and digging and pulling the weeds out but then what??

3) Do I plant things straight in the gound or start them in pots first??

God how think am I?? Any help is really appreciated xx

[Two_Sheds]

I don't think you're think, but I think your C isn't working

[Two_Sheds]

how will I know that it is compost and not just all the "rubbish" that I have put in there?? Oh and is there something about proper coffee going in there?

how do you mean rubbish?
rubbish is just stuff that doesn't compost.
Yes, coffee can compost. Anything organic (that biodegrades) can go on your compost heap: kitchen scraps, hair, wee, vacuumings

[Two_Sheds]

Do I plant things straight in the gound or start them in pots first??

Some things do OK straight in the ground, other things don't. If you use your Search button, you'll find out more.
Are you growing peas? Do a search for peas, and you'll find out that some people sow in loo rolls, others into guttering, and some people soak the peas in paraffin to deter mice.

etc
etc

have fun!

[Flummery]

If you put in vegetable matter - leaves, veg peelings and coffee grounds (I put tea-bags in too) the fluff from your vacuum cleaner - just about anything that will rot down - cover it with something - old carpet will do fine - and leave it for a year you'll have some really good stuff. Avoid weeds like couch grass, horsetails dandelion roots ( but you can use the leaves of these) as they will still grow after a year in the heap! The pernicious perennial weeds - as mentioned - should go home with you into your council bin. You can soak them in water for months and then compost them but you'll get a seriously honky mixture. I bin them.

[Wicked.Witch.Of.Westbury.]

I don't think you're think, but I think your C isn't working

See how thick I am?? I cant even spell!! haha

[PAULW]

WWW
Whoever left all the rubbish on your plot has also left someone in the shed.

[HeyWayne]

See how thick I am?? I cant even spell!! haha

No thinker than me - I couldn't work out what your were saying!

Looks a pretty decent plot. As has been said, almost anything biodegradable can go in, but avoid meats. Add shredded paper (a good way of getting rid of secure info), and all of the above mentioned kitchen scraps.

Coffee grinds are said to be good against slugs - just spread it on the ground and they will avoid crawling over it. Ground borne slugs are another matter...

Personally I grow most of what I can in pots - give them a head start before they get attacked from all the lottie pests, but each to their own.

Potatoes are great fro breaking up the ground, and are a pretty easy crop to get your started. The hard part is picking which types.

I've only been doing this a couple of years - but there are plenty of folk on here with far more knowledge and experience than me.

Good luck, and be sure to keep us posted.

[Wicked.Witch.Of.Westbury.]

WWW
Whoever left all the rubbish on your plot has also left someone in the shed.

LMAO!! You would have thought they would have cracked on with the work then wouldnt you?? x

[Paulottie]

I think you would be wise to buy a really simple book , The Veg expert - Dr Hessayon is the best. It will give you an overall view of the subject.

There is a search facility in the green bar at the top of the page....try 'composting' or similar.

As far as sowing direct is concerned- it is easier when you're on top of your plot...otherwise weeds swamp the seedlings. root veg, by and large, are sown direct....this is the quickest method but requires a little more experiance/patients to time it right and you are at the mercy of the weather so cloches fleece etc comes in handy.

I start most things off in pots or modules, it is more expensive (compost etc.) and is more practical on any larger scale if you have a greenhouse (with autovents and leccy it is easier still.) The main advantages are: the plants getting a head start on the weeds and slugs; I don't have to grovel around thinning and hand weeding; I don't end up with gappy rows and can have stuff waiting in the wings when other veg are harvested... thus squeezing more crops out of the ground in a season. The disadvantages revolve mainly around being wholly responsible for the plants...watering, potting on, feeding, hardening off, temperature/environment regulation...Easy to bake the lot on the first warm day/chill them in a late frost...... Where vents and leccy thermostatic matt/propagator, heating and shading come in handy because most people can't be there all the time.

[SarzWix]

I agree, a good book or 2 can be really helpful. There's a few threads in Grapes Recommendations section discussing books, but I'd say the new Reader's Digest book Food from your Garden is very comprehensive indeed and covers digging, weed clearance, composting, sowing and growing, and harvesting & storage.

Like Paulottie, I sow most of my stuff indoors into trays, pots, or modules (a set of small pots all joined together), and then plant them out when they're big enough & I have available space.

[Snadger]

I really dont know where to start and was wondering if I could ask you all a few questions?? I am really sorry if I am asking questions that have been asked loads of times, but only just joined the site too so just getting the hang of it.

I got the keys to my allotment on Sunday and it doesnt look like it is in a bad way at all (will try attach some pictures).

1) At the back of my plot there is a large wooden crate like box that I can only think is the compost bin... what do I do with it?? Obviously I want compost, but how will I know that it is compost and not just all the "rubbish" that I have put in there?? Oh and is there something about proper coffee going in there??

2) I am planning on going on Friday and digging and pulling the weeds out but then what??

3) Do I plant things straight in the gound or start them in pots first??

God how think am I?? Any help is really appreciated xx

Crikey..........you've inherited a ghost!

[krazy_krok]

Read read read!!! thats what i've done and now i'm a fountain of knowledge!!Lol

A few good books:
Andy Cleverly-The allotment book -a must for me
Carol Klien - grow your own veg
Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of gardening techniques(The Bible)

Weblinks:
The Allotment Channel - Allotment Internet Television, Advice on growing and maintaining allotments. - Allotmenttv channell and its free
BBC - Gardening - Try gardeners world too advice and vids
Allotments UK: Allotments Forum, blogs, articles, TV channel, Maps ?
Growing vegetables on a Leeds allotment - home page
Allotment Growing: Vegetable, Fruit and Herb Gardening on an Allotment
Royal Horticultural Society: Gardening Online - Home Page - More vids and advice
VideoJug - Life Explained. On Film. - Search the gardening vids
http://www.growveg.com - design ya lottie 1 months free trial

Best of luck

Krazy_krok

[Paulottie]

All excellent books! .... I have quite a library now... many great, old and rare books; taking over a whole wall in the smallest room!.....including 10 years of 'the garden' and every issue of GYO mag!!!!...(Mrs. P thinks its pretty sad...even had the 'Your more interested in you gardening books than me huff and she's the vegetarian) ...you may find yourself becoming a saddo anorak! Veg growing can do that to you...And with all the advice and search facilities on here etc. and a load of conflicting advice you'll no doubt recieve from neighbouring allotmenteers ...The subject can seem a bit daunting and large.... for an overall beginners view: I Still think the easiest to find, cheapest and simplest to use book to start with is...... Dr. H!

Big thing is not to panic!......Veg growing a life long hike - not a short sprint! and it will soon all seem more familiar...and we are all learning from our mistakes...there are many different methods but you will soon discover what is right for you.

To start with weed it and add muck work that land it will reward you...Old adage is to 'feed the soil not the plant'....very true. Get that compost heap going!

[Epsom Gardener]

Hi, Wicked
I replied to one of your other posts re digging your beds and leaf mulch. If I had your plot (which looks in good nick compared to what some people start with), I would lay the cardboard down as explained, then throw on the leaf mulch and those mounds of soil you have there (after taking out weeds). When that mound of soil is gone, lay cardboard/newspaper and do it again.
Best of luck