New allotment - Lots of advice needed!

[Mertyn]

Hello all,

I'm just about to take over an allotment, its relatively small - about 500sq ft rectangle. It's in pretty good condition, very few weeds and recently turned over but still quite lumpy so will need to be dug over again. I've been told its rather heavy clay.

I'm basically wondering where to begin, most of the articles around starting out focus on clearing overgrow land but I'm (luckily!) past that point.

I'm wondering exactly where to start. It's quite late in the season, assuming I should focus on digging the soil over, adding some manure, choosing where to place beds and paths?

I'm looking for suggestions on what to grow? would it be worth sowing some green manure over the majority of the plot and then growing some winter veg on the rest?

Thanks for your help!

[veggiechicken]

Hi Mertyn and welcome. Most of us are out watching the meteors but I'm sure someone will be along later to help you

[Two_Sheds]

would it be worth sowing some green manure over the majority of the plot

I would, yes.

That bare soil needs to be covered up, or else it will soon be covered in weeds

[Mr Bones]

Hi Mertyn. Agree with Two Sheds plus green manure will help to break up the clay. Which part of the world are in, soon be time here to plant Japanese overwintering onions and then we're moving towards putting the garlic out.

[Mertyn]

Hello

I should have mentioned that, based in Berkshire. This morning actually had quite a chill!

So it sounds like I need to get my plots/paths sorted. Get some green manure down (any recommendations?) And look into some onions and garlic. What sort of soil prep will I need to do for them?

Thanks

[rustylady]

Hi Mertyn, welcome to the Vine. If you add your location (nearest town) to your profile it will show up on your posts and you won't have to keep telling us where you are.

We're a nosy lot (in the nicest possible way) so would love to see photos of your new plot.

[Samurailord]

Hi Mertyn, and welcome to the Vine

The first thing I would do is to mark out a few beds and start to enrich the soil by digging in some well rotted manure or compost, and cover the remainder of the plot with decent weed fabric.

That way you can concentrate on getting a few beds up and running and won't get distracted by having to weed the rest of your plot every few weeks.

You might consider square foot gardening for your first couple of beds - that way you can get plenty of variety, albeit in smaller quantities, which can really help with your own motivation as you will be having a harvest of sorts this year.

You will also need to work out if you are having raised beds, edged beds or simply beds bordered by paths.

Make a plan, but don't be afraid to change it as you discover where the water and sun lie on your plot.

Set aside an area for composting, but make sure it is easily accessible as this is probably the one place on your plot that you will visit every single day.

Andy

[Mertyn]

Hello,

I'll make sure to get a photo of the plot when I'm next over there

The plot is pretty small, I'd imagine that I could sort out all the beds and paths. Would it make sense to put the green manure all across it except for the beds I'd be using for garlic and onions?

We're lucky enough to have manure delivered to the site, is it just a case of turning it in? Is it also worth having my own composting area?

I'm considering just having beds bordered by paths.

Cheers

[Guykp57]

Welcome to the vine Mertyn,, ask anything and someone will have an answer and advice is very helpful. Don't forget pics.

[leonmc0708]

With the manure if it's fresh then don't put it on anywhere you want to plant

[binley100]

and check it for weedkiller residue before you go muck spreading , jut to be on the safe side
There are different green manures that do different jobs. If you have heavy clay you might look at one that is good for breaking up the soil ......

[mrgrower]

Welcome to the vine. All's been said really so what the others have sugested.

[Mertyn]

Thanks for the welcome guys, we're going to to see the plot on Sunday and to start our plans!

[Mertyn]

Hi guys,

So we have our allotment now. 16 ft wide, 32 ft long - 500 sq feet. Its just been rotovated, I'll be going down again in the next couple of days so I'll be sure to take a photo. Not much to see just a brown rectangle

I'm considering going for the lazy bed method, dig out some paths and pile up the beds with added manure and compost.

Couple of questions. I'll be adding green manure to some of the beds to overwinter but what veg could I plant over the next couple of weeks?

Also my other half is keen for us to have wood borders around the beds (it's the done thing at our allotment!) Where is best to get the wood from?

Cheers