New allotment at this time of year!

[Louise79]

I have been offered an allotment in the last couple of weeks which I have said yes to...I know I am really lucky because I only applied for one the first week of April this year!!

Im quite used to growing stuff at home and have a greenhouse there but I have kind of outgrown my garden. The problem is that the allotment is 255 square yards or just over 213 square metres - which is just a slight increase on the current 13 square metres I have at home. Because its a little bit 'overgrown' ha ha ha!! i'm not really sure where to start first. I have quite a few greens still in my greenhouse which I should be able to get planted out there but anyone any suggestions as to where the best place to start is at this time of year. Im thinking just clear in sections and then plant as I go?

Help!!

[chris]

Bags you can still sow direct, Louise..

Decide how you want to do it, rows, or beds - then clear a small section at a time. It helps if you plant it up as you go, as this will help to supress weeds and also give you a sense of achivement as you'll see stuff growing.

If you want rapid growth, a pumpkin (buy a plant from a garden centre if you wanted to get a head start) sown now, in good, compost in the ground will romp away.

Still time to sow beans, peas, kale, beetroot, chard, carrots, turnips, etc etc!

Post some pictures up! We'd all love to see it.

I took on half a plot recently, it's around 12-14' wide - I cleared it in widths of 66 inches.. that gave me a 4' wide bed, 12-14' long, and an 18 inch path. I planted that up with spuds, cleared another 66 inches, did that for three beds/paths, then cleared another one for my root veg, next bed was peas/beans, one after that has parnsips in that have gone to see - leaving them in to collect the seed - have planted around with pumpkins.







Eventually cleared about 70' using this method.

Another plot I have, I laid weed control fabric down in crosses as it's a large plot:



Then I cleared each bed. I didn't plant that up straight away.. each bed now is COVERED in weeds. Rather than clear it, as I'm giving it up at the end of the year i'm just planting in pumpkins, in a hope that they'll quickly shade out all the competition (weeds).

[northepaul]

We're only allowed one plot here...

[chris]

I'm not sure of the rules here Thea - I've not read anything against it, but the waiting lists are long. I've decided to hold onto it until December, as I'll have harvested everything I've planted up in it!