What would/wouldn't you grow?

[TinyBerry]

Hi. New here!
Just been to have a look around a new allotment plot - it's a half plot but very overgrown so lots of work. Would like to make a plan for spring to give us something to think about while we're digging out all those weeds (and wondering what we've got ourselves in for) and since we're totally new to this it would be great to get some advice. We have no greenhouse so could do with limiting anything which needs starting off inside but otherwise are open to anything.

So can anyone recommend their top things to grow and top things NOT to grow in the first year, and why? Any stories about mistakes to avoid also appreciated!

[Ryleh]

Beans are quite easy - especially runner and broad beans. You could sow them directly into their planting position at the end of May or sow undercover/indoors earlier. Generally speaking they produce really well and can take a bit of neglect whilst you are sorting everything else out with the added benefit of adding nutrients to the soil which will benefit whatever you put in the same bed the following year.

I'd also suggest thinking now about a crop rotation, even just a basic one, so that you know how many beds you will need and so that you know how much space you have for planting in.

My biggest problem when I started growing stuff was trying to grow everything that took my fancy all in one go and eventually I just ran out of space and found I couldnt accomodate everything I'd started. So make a list of things you'd be interested in growing and then look on the forum and internet for recommnedations and rather than trying to grow 20 varieties of the same thing try a few of each and refine based on your preferences and experience for the future.

Also its worthwhile identifying and clearing a bed now and getting some garlic or onions planted. That way as you toil away at the rest of the plot you will be able to watch as your first plantings grow

[Alison]

Think what you like to eat and start a list. You might not be able to grow all of that in your first year but I always think it's better to go for something you like .

[Ryleh]

Oh and have a good thing about anything you might fancy that requires a permanent growing position - perenials such as Rhubarb or Asparagus, or fruit tree's/bushes. And just make sure you leave space in you planning for them.

[TinyBerry]

Thanks for advice so far. Haven't got a clue how to go about crop rotation. Onions/garlic so we've got something growing is a good idea as its just a mass of weeds and junk atm. I would love to try getting some raspberries in. Is that madness?
Also tempted to try a fruit bush but not sure what or how difficult they are.

[craftymarie]

Welcome to the vine, TinyBerry. I'm quite a newb myself but I'm sure you'll get some advice on growing and crop rotation in due course

[Aberdeenplotter]

Tina, I'll say to you what I say to anyone taking on an overgrown plot. Concentrate the first year in getting the plot cleaned up and the best crop to use for that is the humble potato.

It's not the spud that does the cleaning though, it's the constant moving of the soil which helps eradicate weeds.

First of all you will be digging the plot, then you will be setting up ridges for your spuds, then you will be pulling the soil back down onto the top of your spuds after planting, then you will be furrowing the ridges back up again several times as the shaws/haulms grow and finally the ground will be turned over again when you harvest the crop. I say finally but of course you will probably be digging the ground over again before you plant the next crop. The weeds just don't get a chance especially since they will have been deprived of light as the shaws/haulms close over the ground during growth.

To quote Forest Gump " That's all I have to say about that "

[Guest]

Another approach is clear removing as much roots and debris as possible. Then cover with cardboard topped with mulch. Then plant through it. I so wish I had done this approach when I had a lottie, I wasted so much time weeding

[dilettante]

Peas! I have had my allotment for a couple of weeks, and I finally sowed something yesterday: peas. Lovely peas. I have protected them slightly with a couple of glass shower panels in place of a cloche, but they don't really need it. I sowed meteor, a good overwintering pea. I'm going to get some garlic and onion out shortly as well.

[sparrow100]

I'd echo the 'grow what you like to eat' advice. Plus a few things that you want to try.The only thing I would warn you off is Asparagus Peas. They are pretty, look intriguing and taste pretty foul.

I spent my first year messing about and growing a small amount of a lot of things. I didn't do anything permanent because I had never grown anything before, and I wanted to learn how the plot was in terms of drainage and whether allotmenteering was for me. Turns out it is.

Soft fruit is easy. Ask around in spring - there are usually people with spare strawberries and raspberries given how quick they multiply.

[Lisasbolt]

Just remember that you need space. Even though looking at a tiny little seedling/plug plant it seems a ridiculous amount to give them at the beginning but they need space and will reward you more in the end and you will have a lot less problems
Good luck

[vixylix]

I would echo what everyone says about space... the hardest thing in your first year is wanting to grow everything and I found I was sacrificing space, which I regretted in the long run.

Focus on getting the plot how you want it first of all, then come spring you can start to focus on what you want and where. Start with simplicity - dont try and sow 25 different types of tomato, go for one or two and then you can change things about in future years. It is addictive though so hard to stay regulated!

having said that autumn is the perfect time to be planting soft fruit (as you've said raspberries) - you can always plant them in pots for now (or heel them) until the plot is properly sorted for a permanent home.

Good luck - you will love it!

[Roysy]

Be cautious about over-enthusiasm at the beginning

I have had an allotment for about three years and learnt the hard way. Growing potatoes was not a bad suggestion and I can see where the contributor is coming from. I had an overgrown plot which included the pretty but horrible bind weed and equisitum, (horsetail). Like yours it was very overgrown. As soon as I cleared a patch I would plant seeds and find I could not identify the seedlings for the weeds!!!

I would suggest you focus this autumn/winter on clearing the patch. If it is too much in one go, cover some of the plot to suppress the weeds and let them degrade, (I use old carpets). Recognise that your lovely clear groundwork will be inundated with seeds and the weeds will reappear in the spring, and with a vengeance as you have dug them up to the surface.

Having learnt the hard way I would probably do small plots only and use seedlings rather than seeds so I can see what I need to protect. You will need to return to the plot at least once or twice a week to keep the weeds at bay. By using only small plots and covering the rest you wont bite off more than you can chew and become despondent. Your trips can be brief and therefore manageable. I have seen folk clear their whole patch in one go. Seed it and come back 3-4 weeks later to wonder where their seedlings are amongst the abundant weeds. My plot is surrounded by such folk who have clearly given up working the plot but not allowed the plot to go to another user, usually because they have spent a fortune on a new shed etc!

I leave explaining crop rotation to someone wiser but it is a sensible thing to plan early on.

What to grow, loads of sensible ideas here but think small and you will ultimately grow big

[Martin H]

Welcome to the forum, Roysy! Good advice there. I would add to say start all seeds in modules for the first year except carrots and parsnips which have to be sown direct. So I'd advise against growing large quantities of carrots or parsnips because you may not be able to find them among the fast-growing weed seedlings. The ones you started in modules will have a head start against the weeds once you set them out. Tinyberry hasn't got a greenhouse but could put the modules in a sheltered corner outside and keep the slugs off. Or invest in a cold frame or cheap "blowaway" to give them a bit of extra shelter in bad weather.

I'm not a fan of carpets on allotments because of contamination risk and because if neglected the weeds grow on top and through the carpet and cause a bigger problem than if you'd left the ground uncovered! But if you do use it, make sure you move it every couple of months to avoid the second problem. Cardboard is a good biodegradable alternative that you can just plant through if you don't get round to digging.

Anyway, welcome Tinyberry, make sure you have fun with your new allotment, don't worry too much about the "right way" to do things because there isn't one.

[KevinM67]

Well said about using carpet, Martin.

It took me several months trying to clear my site of the stuff and it was absolutely back-breaking.
Funnily enough, I still dig up a few pink tufts now and again.

As mentioned before - spuds are great for starting off in soil that hasn't been worked for a while.

I'd concentrate on trying to get the ground prepared in a way that will support plants - although try and concentrate in doing small areas well, rather than large areas in a slipshod way, you'll benefit in the long run.

In my first year (and still now) I really enjoyed going up to the plot in nice crisp/frosty days to work on an area of ground as many of the more stubborn perennial weeds were/are easier to come out. Then make my way home, run a nice hot bath, and with an alcoholic drink of my choice - ly there planning the layout of my plot.

Be wary though of making decisions of permanent structures/plants at the beginning - I totally changed the layout of my place twice in the first 3 years, n fact, this winter I'm actually changing the positions of my compost bins as they keep getting swamped by neighbouring bindweed where they are at the moment.

Finally, if you need any advice or have any sort of question - the great minds on here are a good bunch and very willing to help.

I'm sorry -this post resembles an incoherent ramble.