New well dug(!) allotment - green manure?

[jenjen23]

Hi all, I finally managed to get hold of my village allotment association, and have got an allotment!

We've fallen on our feet and have picked out a half-plot that is well dug, so not much tidying work to do. It is a blank canvas so we are going to put in some low beds and paths and work out how best to divide up the space.

Is it too late in the season to plant anything?

I was thinking green manure might be an idea to maintain the good soil over the winter? Anyone got experience using green manure? Recommendations on what to use?

Thanks!

[Bigmallly]

You have fallen on your feet there Jenjen, you can plant Autumn Onion Sets & Garlic. You may be able to pick up some Spring Cabbage plug plants which can also go in.

[jenjen23]

You have fallen on your feet there Jenjen, you can plant Autumn Onion Sets & Garlic. You may be able to pick up some Spring Cabbage plug plants which can also go in.

Yes I was thinking I would try and get some garlic and onions in, and will have a look in the garden centre and see if there are any brassica plug plants I could put in. We will try and get at least 1 bed set up asap so we can get some stuff in the ground

[veggiechicken]

Congratulations !!
Broad beans will be going in soon and overwintering peas.
Good time to be planting fruit bushes and trees too but you need to have planned your plot first as they need a permanent position..

[ourarka]

I'll offer my thoughts on green manures - I've used them a lot the last few years but am by no means an expert!

My favourite of all is Phacelia - great ground cover, easy to dig in, hardy unless stupidly cold. It is probably too late to sow now though.

Of the ones to dos now, Rye grass is often advertised this but I find it SO difficult to dig in that it's just not worth it. Mustards will also germinate now but mine get nibbled before they have a chance to establish. Sowing now I'd recommend field beans it forage peas. You don't get quite as much cover (and therefore weed suppression) as with some others but they're still much better than bare ground, easy to dig in, hardy and possibly nitrogen fixing (depending which source you listen too!!)

[craftymarie]

Congrats on your new allotment. It looks like a great plot. Our local garden centre had a pretty good selection still of plug veg last week so I'm sure you'll find things to plant out.

[jenjen23]

Thanks for all the advice!

I think we are going to concentrate on getting everything laid out, and will start planting in the spring. If we manage to get a bed or two ready in time I will try and get some broad beans in, love them! Managed to scavenge a big pile of tools from a house clearance so ready to get cracking.

[Bigmallly]

Try & scavenge a big pile of Manure..................

[alldigging]

Thanks for all the advice!

I think we are going to concentrate on getting everything laid out, and will start planting in the spring. If we manage to get a bed or two ready in time I will try and get some broad beans in, love them! Managed to scavenge a big pile of tools from a house clearance so ready to get cracking.

Please plant something quickly! Allotments are for growing!
You'll feel like it's an allotment once stuff is planted!

[dilettante]

By no means an expert, but I echo the phacelia and mustard sentiment. I sowed mine a couple of weeks ago, and they've popped their heads up this past week. The mustard looks like it's doing better than the phacelia so far. I used both in the past, and I love them. Phacelia is a very attractive plant, make sure you don't let it go to seed or, like me, when I got carried away enjoying the flowers, you'll end up with spiky plants to clear, and new shoots popping up next year. I reckon, if this weather continues for another week or so, you might just get away with sowing it.