new to growing some advice needed please.

[weemer78]

Thank you for taking time to click and read.

Im new and clueless. I have accepted an offer for an allotment and should be getting it withen the next week or so. I am obviously quite excited and going out to buy some tools. I only own a garden fork camping cooker and pots (for making coffee while there) at the moment. So my question is....

What tools should I need to get going?
What can I grow this time of year?
I was thinking about potatoes but there are so many different types what should I go for?

Any other general advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Tripmeup]

Hi and welcome...
Please put your location in your details so people know where u are located..
There are lots you can put in now if the ground is ready or near ready...
Various salad stuff such as lettuce, spring onions, radish
Carrots, turnips, swede also can still be sowed
Whilst it is getting late for potatoes, you could take a chance... Blight may be a problem but with the weather as unpredictable as it is, no time is safe now it seems..
Strawberries are another option if you can buy some plugs...

[rustylady]

Hello Weemer, welcome to the Vine. Have you had a look at your allotment yet?

The fork is a good start. I use my fork, a hoe and handfork and trowel more than any other tools. I own a spade but use it very rarely. A good pair of secateurs is a must in my opinion.

Whereabouts are you? If you add your location (nearest town) to your profile it will show on your posts and helps when giving advice.

[weemer78]

Thanks for replys im in dumfries. I been to see plot it has been rotorvated it does have some weeds but they only couple inches high. So not worried about them. Im off to garden center to buy some seeds.

[Tripmeup]

Im off to garden center to buy some seeds.

And so it begins....

[weemer78]

Lol
I spent ages filling out profile but it didny save bummer.
Im getting hoe hand fork&trowel and going to look for carrot swede and the stuff mentioned in first reply. Im going to have a strawberry patch. Am I right in thinking the strawberries need flowers/runners removing this year for a better crop next?

[weemer78]

Also is it too late for cabbage broccoli onions and corn?

[rustylady]

Check the sowing times on the seed packets before you buy anything Weemer.

[Martin H]

You cans still also sow peas, runner beans and french beans direct into the warm soil. (Assuming that you get warm soil up there in Dumfries ?)

[Tripmeup]

Also is it too late for cabbage broccoli onions and corn?

Yep, realistically it's too late for onion and corn....

You could sow some Purple Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflowers for winter crops...

[The Masons]

Definitely check the packet but we have just planted more seeds of carrots, baby corn, purple sprouting broccoli and cabbage. Some herbs are ok too such as chive and parsley.

Not sure bout the tatty's I'm afraid sorry.

[weemer78]

Thats me back from garden center. I have got some plants that have already been started

Corn (sorry missed the reply about dont as I was away)
Broccoli
Carrots
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage

Seeds I got
Radish
Dwarf bean
Swede
Peas

And cress (for kids)

[Two_Sheds]

I was thinking about potatoes but there are so many different types what should I go for?

Not at this time of year there isn't: seed potatoes are on sale Jan-March. You can always plant ordinary supermarket potatoes though

it has been rotorvated it does have some weeds but they only couple inches high. So not worried about them.

You need to keep an eye on them, esp. if they include blades of grass. Those need carefully digging up (with a hand fork) and removing: if it has roots like spaghetti, it's couch grass

[weemer78]

Thats me back from garden center. I have got some plants that have already been started

Corn (sorry missed the reply about dont as I was away)
Broccoli
Carrots
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage

Seeds I got
Radish
Dwarf bean
Swede
Peas

And cress (for kids)

[Watermelon]

Hello been gardening all digging my well rotted horse poo