Novice

[Hans Mum]

Hi - i've just aquired a half plot allotment 2 mins from my house so no excuses now, its not been worked for two years and was overgrown but the nice people from the committee have cut down the growth, but dont know where to start now....ive started digging over the beds which were there and found a pile of well rotted manure which i've dug into one bed. Now what do i just dig it all over and leave it until spring to start planting?? Ive got the 13year old wanting to plant something edible sooner rather than later anyone got any ideas. She was very impressed yesterday when we left as one of the other lottie holders gave us some beetroot has he had a glut
Any advice would be appreciated as I never did take notice of my dad when i should have

Thanks

[Bex]

You could plant some peas now, the overwinter type is now is called Meteor, also some broad beans are suitable. Garlic if you can get some or onion sets.

I've got a spare pack of Meteors if you want them.

Good luck with it, I only started a couple of weeks ago myself so know what you are going through.

[kirsty b]

you could also plant out garlic now too, and maybe some spuds for xmas. I'm new to this too, but hope to have my allotment soon. Got to phone up about it on Thurs so keeping my fingers crossed.

[Bex]

fingers definately crossed for you Kirsty.

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

you can also try broad beans and autum planting onions to plant now and have you thought about fruit bushes, thats about all i can think of and i better get myself down doing my own. O.H keeps moaning and saying no just because i have a cold thats why i'm sat here typing on my day off.

[Hans Mum]

thanks all....and fingers crossed Kirsty for thursday

[Mrs Dobby]

Onion sets and garlic can be planted now with no problems, there are some varieties of beans and peas which are also happy to overwinter, but as I too am a novice vegetable gardener I'm not sure exactly which varieties I'd recommend!

We've only planted garlic and onion sets so far, lots of planning on what we are growing next spring, but we've been using the time since we got the plot 4 weeks ago to sort out paths, beds, a greenhouse and do all the hard work of double digging so that next spring we should be ready to plant straight away!

SWorry I cant offer any more advice Hans Mum, but hope you enjoy yourself as much as we have been doing!

Good luck for Thursday Kirsty!

[seasprout]

Get a compost heap started out of the way now. I'm told using a mattock is aa good way of clearing overgrown areas, you can get some weed supressing membraine from diy stores to cover over areas you have cleared, this will help prevent weed re-growth.

Have you thought about a few fruit bush's.? Soon will be the ldeal time to plant them, also strawberrys.

Get a couple of books, either from the library or buy. The hessayon books are good for novices also the allotment gardening, and organic guide by susan berger i'm told is good.

Search amazon to see what suits.

Ultimatly get some seed catalogues, thay all have sowing times and advice in.
can recomend T&M, MR F.Dobies, And DT Brown.

Organic Catalogue is also good for equipment as well if a little pricey in my opinion.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hello Hans Mum and welcome to the Vine! I can't offer any more advice than what has already been given - do keep us updated on your progress! DDL