new allotment

[tsuzmir]

a dream coming true right now. i am about to get my first allotment i went to see it today - it wasnt touched in a year a half and it's really rough. the owner says he'll turn the soil for me which is great. there are 2 pollytunels on it - one needs few repairs, the other one is fairly battered - at least new foil needed, not sure if construction is strong enough though. the plot is 11m x 12m. i reckon it will get me few days off to bring it to normal state (to level the soil, organise some footpaths, etc.), but where do i start? there isn't awful lot i can plant now, so i think my priorities for the moment would be:
1. fixing the better of polytunnels
2. starting a compost heap
3. plan a layout (i do need a bit of hep with that...)
and what else?
below is the current layout
any help will be hugely appreciated
thanks!

[veggiechicken]

Congratulations!!
You could cover one of the polytunnel frames with netting to make a fruit or brassica cage. Might be easier/cheaper than covering it with polythene and gives you more growing options.
Which way is North?
Any trees or buildings that shade the plot?

[tsuzmir]

Congratulations!!
You could cover one of the polytunnel frames with netting to make a fruit or brassica cage. Might be easier/cheaper than covering it with polythene and gives you more growing options.
Which way is North?
Any trees or buildings that shade the plot?

Cheers! Like the idea with netting!
North is to the left of a pic. No trees around. Small shed on a plot beside me giving a bit of shade in bottom left corner. Also another polytunnel giving a small bit of shade onto mine number 1.

[hamamelis]

Congratulations!

Personally, I would try and get something planted asap; some chard or something tough, if you can get hold of plants. It gives you that little boost and encouragement when you go down in winter to do some digging or wrestle with brambles or something, and there's a crop there to pick.

Any pics?

[muddled]

Congratulations on your allotment!

Have a look on the 'winter veggies' thread...there are still things to sow (VC and I are trying a last sowing of dwarf french beans) because it seems a pity to have a polytunnel and leave it empty.
Garlic and onion sets are planted in September so I'd clear a space for those.
Daffodil bulbs planted next month will give you a real boost in freezing February and (apparently) deter couch grass.

Other than that, I'd choose a spot for my bonfires. Make a seat beside it and you're all set for winter at the plot.

[tsuzmir]

Here's few pics of the allotment taken this evening. i reckon i'd get rid off the smaller tunnel and extend the larger one to the back and cover with fresh foil. will talk to the owner (farmer) to see if would have some spare/ could supply some manure. any ideas re layout would be appreciated thanks

[muddled]

Before you get rid of the smaller tunnel completely, might it make a good brassica or fruit cage if recovered with debris netting?

Debris netting (the stuff scaffolders use) ranges from cheap to free and you'll have a wonderful frame big enough to stand up in. A fruit frame of those dimensions would cost hundreds of pounds to buy!

[tsuzmir]

Ok, so i had good look around, measured everything, made a list of that is useable and what need to be done. came back home and made a layout. any thoughts? all proportions are acurate

PS. if you wondering whats the story with compost / old compost here's clarification: old compost is just a small heap with well established rhubarb on top, so i wouldnt touch it, let it grow as it is. new compost would be in a shadow of neighbour's shed.

[Bigmallly]

Hi Tsuzmir, I take it the tunnel is 11ft x 12ft not metres as you posted or is the plot 11m x 12m?. As you are considering recovering the tunnels, to save space if both tunnels have the same arch span, would it be possible to join them together end to end & cover the whole lot giving you one hoooge tunnel plus more ground space to work with.

[tsuzmir]

Hi Tsuzmir, I take it the tunnel is 11ft x 12ft not metres as you posted or is the plot 11m x 12m?. As you are considering recovering the tunnels, to save space if both tunnels have the same arch span, would it be possible to join them together end to end & cover the whole lot giving you one hoooge tunnel plus more ground space to work with.

the plot is 11 x 12 m, the tunnels are respectively 4.4mx3.8x and 4m x 4.2m (length x width). i kinda wanted to extend the larger one but i recon that is a bit too much hassle. i realised that i wont be able to everything i want to do over few days, more like months, so the plan is to repair the large one for now and get something going there, and then move on to next stage if that makes sense. it was suggested earlier to cover tunnel 2 with net and grow fruit in there and i think i really like that idea. the final conclusion is: even though i'd prefer to have larger tunnel, this is probably enough for start and seems to be good compromise between what i want, how much effort is needed and what are my skills at the moment.
PS. just read the first post - obviously i didnt make it clear. it's edited now. cheers

[Bigmallly]

I converted mine at the end of July from tunnels to cages with polythene sides, here's some pics:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1363723