New allotment - how to plan?

[Bex]

My new plot, which adjoins my old plot is a complete blank canvas, the only things growing on it are some raspberry canes and an apple tree, both inherited from previous plot holder so I've no idea of variety.

I've no idea what to do really, my gut tells me to follow my instincts, my dad tells me to buy some graph paper and plan. This is the plot, first pic apple tree on right, rasperries on the left. It's just bare earth now as I put weed killer on it.



Do I follow my gut or my dad? Do you crack out the graph paper come autumn to plan the following year?


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[Greenleaves]

You know what they say Bex, failing to plan is planning to fail.

That said is is really about what you want, but i am sure you have a picture in your minds eye. certain questions will help to get started.

How much time can you spare
Where to have the path and compost bin
Are you intending to use define beds, if so what size?
What are you hoping to grow on this plot and where?
What will your crop rotation plan be
Any buildings, shed, greenhouse etc


But most importantly, enjoy it

[Bex]

The shed and compost bin are on the other half. When I took that on it came with more features, shed, plum tree, strawberries, fruit bushes, rhubarb, compost bin. It had more structure to it.

I'll get some graph paper I think and try and do it properly.


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[noviceveggrower]

Hi,
Blimey my dad and your dad sound a like. My dad would have a size ratio going down the size and possibly a colour key to for any raised beds, sheds etc.
I would draw a plan but I bet you know roughly where you want things or things moved to different places. I usually draw them in pencil then rub stuff out and tinker about with it.
Are you planning to put fruit trees in or any perennial crops cause they will need to be set in stone a bit more and possibly sooner rather than later.
So in answer to your question plan a bit but also listen to your gut instinct. They may work very well together

[Bigmallly]

I'd draw it out on graph paper to please your dad then I'd go by my gut instinct.............

[Kristen]

If you are just going to crop the whole area (no sheds of compost heaps etc) then divide it into four for crop rotation, and plant appropriate crops in each "zone".

If you want soft fruit etc. or permanent veg like Rhubarb / Artichokes then allocate an area for that.

Within that you could just "go for it", although personally I would prefer to plan - my planning is based on how much of anything we want to eat, in a season, and I allocate space accordingly. Now I've been doing it for many years the space, each year, is the same as last year with minor variations.

As you already have a plot I presume you know what you want to grow etc. so might be enough just to sow & plant ... but I would still want to have worked out "zones" for each type of crop.

I do my plan in a spreadsheet, makes it easy to "move the crops around" for each year. I sort of roughly scale the shape of the cells to the area of the plot Here's my 2014 one:

[Bex]

That's very impressive Kristen. I'm not that good with spreadsheets but I have just ordered a project book with both lined and graph paper. I shall get myself some coloured pencils and a ruler and get up the plot with a tape measure. I'm not even sure at the moment how much room I've got.

[alldigging]

Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
That's the tower in your pic..
I don't know how that came to me.

But spend time planning - don't rush.

[Kristen]

That's very impressive Kristen

Hadn't really thought about it in that sense, until just looking at it again now. Its just made up of grid squares though, honest!

I've written up a little "How To" on my blog, in case it helps. Here's a link (to save me rewriting it all here) and the thumbnails of the various steps:

Making a Cropping Plan Spreadsheet | K's Garden

[Kristen]

Making a Cropping Plan Spreadsheet | K's Garden

[KevinM67]

I do my plan in a spreadsheet

YES - I'm not the only geek out there.

[Kristen]

I'm not the only geek out there.

You're the only one admitting it ... I'm in remission

[Martin H]

Kristen, that's very impressive. I can see I'm going to have to enhance my own rudimentary spreadsheets a bit!

Mine look like this.

I have a page to remind me of the overall structure of the beds, the crops I want to grow and a number for each plot:



Then I have a separate page for each bed, with a more detailed picture, including varieties and timings. Here's bed number 5 ("Beans, Corn"):



By shading in the months that I expect the crop to need the space, I can plan succession.

I take a notebook with me down to the allotment so I can write down what I planted or sowed or anything else that needs to go onto the spreadsheet when I get home.

As I say, it's pretty rudimentary but it's low maintenance.

[Alison]

I do a spreadsheet each year too, each square is a foot each way and then there is a different colour for each rotation. Very simple and works well. Have a printout in the shed so I can remember what to plant and where and then fit the random stuff in between where it will fit so have lettuce everywhere

[KevinM67]

You're the only one admitting it ... I'm in remission

My boss at work thinks I'm beavering away at 5 year financial forecasts - crop rotation plans are way more fun.