Unexpected newbie

[jubilado]

My first post is just to say hello and introduce myself.
So my plan is to retire early this September and have already booked to go away for a long holiday then. We always wanted an allotment since we moved into a flat and missed some growing, especially in the greenhouse. I therefore decided that I really ought to get my name on the waiting list. We looked at our nearby options, chose a site, and luckily bumped into the warden who told us that there is no waiting list and there are 2 plots available now!
I'll be speaking to the council this morning but it looks like I will be getting a plot much much sooner than expected. So much to do, I dont even own a spade.
I will have plenty of questions to this forum but my first is, assuming I can get at least a couple of beds prepared in the next few weeks, what can I sow or plant now and be able to harvest before I neglect the plot for most of October? I'd rather plant something quickly now otherwise it will be winter before I have done anything.
Steve

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

Go have a shopping spree several grapes are reporting bargains at the moment. Aldi and lidl often have seasonal offers so worth checking them out. T+M are doing 100 spuds for £4.99 + p&p, a touch late but you'll still get a crop Chelsea Potato Mixed Lucky Dip - Inc - Thompson & Morgan. Most of all have fun and enjoy.

[Scarlet]

That's exciting! Welcome to yhe vine!
The Spring has been cold so I've not planted any tender stuff out yet. To be honest you've time to plant most things, slower growing stuff you could buy in as plug plants or I'm sure your new allotment friends would have a few spares. It's not to late to sow most things - this week I've done beetroot, lettuce, chard, kale, beans - French, runners, borlotti (my runners are still in the packet) or courgette/squash. Start them off in pots now and while you get a bed ready for them.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Steve have a read that this thread to see what others are doing this time of year :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...5-a_83011.html

[Jay-ell]

Hi Steve, welcome to the vine. As well as looking for things to come out by September what about things that will stand there longer that can stand forgetting about for a while. Things that spring to mind are sprouts, kale, broccoli and swede

[Nicos]

Hi there , and a huge welcome to the Vine from me too!

As the others have said, spuds, plug plants and sowing your own...plus getting a few fruit bushes in...well watered and mulched ( pot bought )
Some perennial herbs too like rosemary, sage ....

just give yourself a few moments to make a rough plan of the layout with respect to the sunshine/shade, and where you'd like permanent things to grow.

Near enough everything is moveable if you make a mistake with planning this year- it'll just set the plants back a bit.

Are you aware of crop rotations?
I wouldn't worry too much this year

[Jungle Jane]

You could do a few different varieties of runner bean & they're easy to freeze. A strawberry patch? Definitely check the garden centres,they're selling off seed potatoes at half price in some places & it's a bit late to sow tomato seed so I'd buy some plants,they'l be finished by September. Sow some lettuce or spinach seeds between the tomatoes,it likes shade. Also for a late harvest you could sow carrot,chives & parsnip direct,the chives will hopefully keep carrot fly away,by masking the scent,they can be forgotten about till you get back from your holiday. Happy retirement!

[cariann88]

Hello and welcome to the vine

[jubilado]

Thanks to everyone for their kind welcome and initial advice. Since my last post we have now been allocated a plot. We rejected the initial offering due to it being seriously neglected for some years. We weren't worried about the weeds, but there were old corrugated iron and timber structures to clear. We estimated 4 or 5 skip loads. Anyhow we befriended the warden who was extremely helpful and advised of another, a 10 rod plot that was being split. The next day it was offered and we signed up there and then.

We visited today (see pics) and have an outline of a plan. The cage has some very large redcurrant and gooseberry bushes. I assume I shouldn't be moving these until dormant in the autumn? We intend to clear a small area for a shed immediately, and dig a couple of small beds and grow something during the winter. The remaining area we will strim down, and then cover with black plastic sheet until the new year.

First things first - go buy a spade!

[Bigmallly]

Hello Jubilado, congrats on your new plot & your forthcoming retirement. The plot will take up more time than you imagined. In the meantime enjoy those lubbly fruits.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there and welcome to the Vine
You are quite right about moving your currant bushes in the autumn when they are dormant.
Are you counting down the days to your retirement?

[jubilado]

15 weeks to go.

[Bonsai Si]

Looks like some serious fun ahead of you, good luck and enjoy your retirement!

[Bigmallly]

15 weeks to go.

I retired 18 months ago & it only feels like yesterday.................

[veggiechicken]

I've just realised that I "retired" 20 years ago - and I still don't have the garden tidy
Loving the freedom - as I'm sure you will too