Newbie Gardener

[MancGardener]

Hey Guys,

I am viewing a plot at the weekend. I have never had an allotment before and due to have no space in the garden I have never been able to grow in the garden.

However, it is something I have wanted to do for a while. What are the best tips you would give to a complete newbie and what are the best plants to start with. I really want to grow potatoes.

Thanks

[veggiechicken]

Hello MancGardener and welcome. Hope your new allotment doesn't need too much work! In terms of what to grow - if you want potatoes, grow potatoes! They're easy too.

[Dynamo]

Ditto what VC said. Enjoy your lottie and get some spuds bought and planted.

[rustylady]

I assume from your username that you are based in Manchester. Could you add your location to your profile please, then it will show up on your posts.

You still have time to plant seed potatoes. Good luck with the allotment.

[MancGardener]

Thanks for the welcome! I have changed my location as well Rustylady!

[Peas'n'Kews]

Welcome MancGardener. As VC says, you want potatoes, grow 'em! And all that digging will be great for the lottie.... All kinds of lettuce are very rewarding as they grow quickly and are easy....

[Two_Sheds]

Grow what you want to eat. If you don't like sprouts: don't grow them!

[Sanjo]

Welcome to the vine.
Seed spuds were still available in my local Wilkinson's last week and still looked viable (ie not great big long white sprouts like some I've seen elsewhere)
Potatoes will at least fill a large area of your new allotment and you'll feel good about seeing something growing. They also help to break up the soil a bit.
Get yourself a good all round vegetable growing book or check out the search facility on here.
Also ask away with your questions. Somebody is bound to know the answer!

[chris]

Welcome to the forum!

[Pa Snips]

Welcome aboard Manc-G (sounds like a gangsta rap artist...lol)

Good luck with the allotment. I don't really have any practical advice to give, being a noob myself, but have a go at whatever you like eating and enjoy the learning experience. If a plant fails due to an error you've made, don't be annoyed with yourself for making an error, be pleased that you had an opportunity to learn from that error.

Have they changed the county boundary over there? When I lived in Stockport (Reddish to be precise) it was in Cheshire, not Manchester. Just wondering if you should be called ChesGardener

[Glutton4...]

Hello, and welcome to the Madhouse!

[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine MG.......if you are unsure of anything, before you do it pay a return visit.

[MancGardener]

Thanks for all the Welcomes!!

I got a call from the Chairman of the Allotment yesterday asking if I would be able to move the viewing forward, so I ended up viewing the Allotment last night. Comes with both a greenhouse and shed as standard which I was very happy with and was last used in early March so it is in pretty good condition. The plot is 300 sq yards so there is plenty of room to grow but as a absolute beginner I am just going to concentrate on small areas at first. I sign the agreements etc!

Really excited

[veggiechicken]

Congratulations, MG!! I'm excited for you
There's lots of help on here about how to start your first allotment so have a mooch around and start planning!!

[piskieinboots]

Welcome MG - what a wonderful coup to find a shed AND greenhouse on your plot