new and keen.

[sam 51]

hi all I have just got me an allotment.150sqm.big enough for me.
it is a brand new allotment site, with free water, and only £51 per year. bargain.
I have a plan. I am going to make it sectional. each section will be 4mt x 3mt.
so I can manage it easily. I can create sections as and when I need.
my first priority, over winter will be to prepare everything.
an start growing summer salad crops.
this year I have grown cherry tomatoes, although the wife likes them.
I want to grow the large beef toms. and good new potatoes.
what do you think to my plan, and what Varity of spuds and toms do you favour.
thanks sam.

[WendyC]

Well done on getting your plot and welcome to the Vine. It is a good idea to divide the plot up to make it manageable. Are you intending to make your beds edged or raised as the idea here is not to walk on them and work from the edges. Unless you have extremely long arms you will have to tread on yours.
When you say you want to start growing summer salads, do you mean now or next year? Summer crops won't grow now as it is too dark and cold. You could start garlic, onion sets or broad beans.
Could you add your location to your profile so we can understand your local growing conditions.

[sam 51]

hi I am in north herts. I am getting ready for next year.
is it not to cold now for anything.
garlic and onions are on my list,

[veggiechicken]

Hi Sam and welcome. As Wendy says, you have time to start garlic and onion sets and these are on sale in garden centres or online. Broadbeans and some peas, like Meteor and Douce Provence can also be sown now.
Rather than spend the winter planning, why not plant up a bed with these crops now. You'll have the pleasure of watching something growing through the cold months while you plan the rest of your plot.
If you add your location to your profile it will stop us asking you where you live all the time

[WendyC]

Good time to plant fruit canes and bushes too.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Sam

Like the others have said get something sown and planted now peas and beans in one bed garlic and onions in another.

[Two_Sheds]

my first priority, over winter will be to... start growing summer salad crops.

Um, not in winter.

In winter you grow winter salad crops eg Winter Density lettuce, lamb's lettuce, winter Lisbon (spring) onion

[sam 51]

hi all I will get started in January,weather permitting,
I am waiting for the council to rotivate the plot,
and the water board to connect the supply up.
I have had the t&cs through today,
it seems that I have to have in writing from the council,to put a shed up.
I also wanted a small green house.
I chose a plot at the end where at one side there is a row of trees.
I thought that if I have a shed and green house there it would not disturb any ones light.
we will see.

[PyreneesPlot]

Hello and welcome and good luck.

[WendyC]

Are you sure you want it rotavated? If there are any perennial weeds such as dandelion, bindweed, ground elder etc, these will be chopped up and spread over your plot. Each piece of root will grow into a new plant making things a whole lot worse.
You would be better covering the plot with cardboard or landscape fabric to smother and weaken the weeds.

[rustylady]

Sam, don't wait for the council to rotavate. Start clearing your plot yourself.

[sam 51]

im in no hurry, I will let the council do the hard work.
also don't think I can move in yet,
as I have not signed the forms or paid yet,
although I have been allocated the plot.
I need some questions answered first,
like can I have a shed and a small greenhouse, I thought they went hand in hand.
when growing flowers and vegetables.
my son will be a partner and wants to grow fruit.
but the t&cs says this is prohibited, the planting of fruit trees and bushes are prohibited.
and vegetables which are productive for more than 2 to 3 years.
now while I am not interested in allotment wars and committees,
I would of thought you could grow what you like,
except the likes of an apple orchard and the like.
live and let live me.
if there are to many rules and regulations from the council I may not bother.

[Martin H]

Sam, you should have a good look round to see if the other plot-holders follow all the rules. My site has a lot of rules that no-one else follows, so I only follow the rules that are in fashion.

[sam 51]

don't the council come round and check,
and then get the a.r.s.s.

[WendyC]

Seems strange not to allow fruit bushes. We have a rule about fruit trees only by agreement but that is to do with not shading other people's plots. A row of runner beans would give more shade than a blackcurrant bush, so that can't be the reason.