New Allotment Tenant!

[VegMan82]

Morning All!

I am now, as of Friday, a new allotment 'owner'.

Being a keen, although very much a beginner to gardening, I am absolutely over the moon!

I'm just not entirely sure where to start!

The plot measures roughly 7m x 20m so is a fair size for a beginner (I think). its not in the best condition - lots of weeds & grass - as it hasn't been used for a season, although apparently about a month ago someone came and took down all the brambles that had grown, so that's saved me a job.

There are also 7 or 8 fruit bushes In the middle of the plot, although they have been cut right down so I'm not sure which ones they are - something to look forward to though.

I'm having trouble uploading pics at the moment so any ideas on how to do that would be much appreciated.

So, any tips on the best approach to start with?


TIA

[Lisasbolt]

Helcome (that was a typo but i kind of like it)

It is very exciting, getting a area to plant and very fulfilling. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
It would be handy to know your location, just edit your profile.

I am no good with adding pic´s every time they seem to be upside down but someone will be along shortly and tell you

[veggiechicken]

Hello Vegman and welcome to the forum
Cover as much of the grass as you can with cardboard or plastic. This will start to kill off the grass and weeds until you have chance to dig them out. You can lift a bit at a time, prepare it and plant it up (onions, garlic, broad beans and some peas can be planted in October).
You may need to make a few more posts before you can add photos or edit your profile, so keep posting and tell us more about your plans.

[VegMan82]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks, I am so excited (and a little daunted by it all too)!

I cant seem to change my location at the moment, but I am in Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

[VegMan82]

Hello Vegman and welcome to the forum
Cover as much of the grass as you can with cardboard or plastic. This will start to kill off the grass and weeds until you have chance to dig them out. You can lift a bit at a time, prepare it and plant it up (onions, garlic, broad beans and some peas can be planted in October).
You may need to make a few more posts before you can add photos or edit your profile, so keep posting and tell us more about your plans.

Thanks Chicken,
I was thinking of strimming the grass down to a low level first and clear that, what do you think?

[skeggijon]

Helcome (that was a typo but i kind of like it)

It is very exciting, getting a area to plant and very fulfilling. I hope you enjoy it as much as i do.
It would be handy to know your location, just edit your profile.

I am no good with adding pic´s every time they seem to be upside down but someone will be along shortly and tell you

Hello and welcome all rolled up into one handy word

Helcome VegMan. I'm sure you'll have many happy hours getting your plot into shape - just don't try to do it all at once. More new plotholders give up after breaking their backs clearing their new patch in a weekend than any other reason. Clear a small patch at a time and give yourself time to enjoy it

[VegMan82]

Thanks Skeggi,

that's the plan really - we've so far dug over a small patch (2m x 3m) and given it an initial weeding, though it will definitely need doing again! but the hope is to get this patch up and running relatively quickly to get something in the ground (garlic & onion hopefully), to act as an incentive as we tackle the rest over winter!

[craftymarie]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your new allotment. I don't have one sadly so not going to be much help there but sounds like this is a good time of year to start working on clearing it and getting it ready for next spring.

Nice that you didn't have a load of brambles to contend with anyway

[VegMan82]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your new allotment. I don't have one sadly so not going to be much help there but sounds like this is a good time of year to start working on clearing it and getting it ready for next spring.

Nice that you didn't have a load of brambles to contend with anyway

Thanks Marie,

I'm definitely a happier man knowing that there's only a few brambles left to deal with. one of the other vacant plots was in far worse state than the one I decided on.

[VegMan82]

A Pic!



It'll only let me upload one at the moment!

[Sam.k]

That's a great plot to start with, if you look at my new plot thread you will see how bad the one I took over was,
It doesn't take long to start looking great though.

[VegMan82]

That's a great plot to start with, if you look at my new plot thread you will see how bad the one I took over was,
It doesn't take long to start looking great though.

Thanks Sam,

to be honest, the front half of it is pretty good.

It's the back half up towards the fence that is going to take a lot of work - so naturally I'm starting at the front!

[bramble]

Hallo and welcome Vegman.
I dont have a plot but I am envious of yours.
As everyone else said, do a bit at a time and then plznt it up, it will give you encouragement when you see something growing.
Good luck and know all the hard work will be worth it.

[noviceveggrower]

Hello and welcome to the Vine

[Bill HH]

Welcome, my advice for what it is worth is to make sure you dont plant things too closely, after all you have the space. There is a great temptation to cram stuff in, but then subsequent weeding becomes a nightmare. Take onion sets for instance, they seem so small but imagine them as a (hopefully) large onion and then add a space between them that your hoe can easily fit through. Better to have 20 nice onions than 50 small weed choked ones.
The slightly bad news is those brambles will be back in the spring and will need to be dug up roots and all. If as VC says you cover the ground now when they do emerge they will be weak and easier to deal with.
The very first priority you have is to get a comfy chair and tea making facilities.