New Allotment Advice

[Madmandan90]

Hi all,

First time on these forums so please go easy on me

I have just recently been able to get my hands on a full (but overgrown) plot and i'm super excited to get started on it! I have little to no experience in growing anything so I am a complete novice! I've watched a ton of videos and read hours worth of material online in hopes that i will be able to give it a proper go.

So i'm posting on here really after some advice and ideas on how to clear the plot, and how to lay out the plot once it is clear. I saw it for the first time today but did not get a chance to take any photos of the plot itself. But with the help of google maps i was able to measure rough sizes and get my head around the unusual shape...

I plan to grow various fruits, such as watermelon, plums, strawberries and even attempt grapes and clementines, I will also attempt to grow a ton of different veg and salads.

Later on down the line I also plan to keep a few chickens.... I love eggs!

Here is what my plot looks like (rough estimate and measurements but not far off.)



Thanks in advance

[Jay-ell]

Hi Dan and welcome to the vine.

Congratulations on getting your plot - I see in the plan there's a massive tree bang smack in the middle of it. What type of tree is it?

First thing to do is get on the plot and walk around it - you may discover things like fruit bushes lurking in there. Try an notice which weeds are growing and where as they each have their own requirements.

Get photos - it will help you look over when planning, look back to see what you've achieved and, more importantly, stop everyone on here from shouting for photos (we are a nosey bunch)

What's your location? Advice for the Outer Hebrides will often be slightly different than for Devon so knowing where you are helps.

Feel free to ask us anything - you'll get loads of answers, possible all different and contradicting but that’s a forum for you.

[Madmandan90]

Wow thanks for the quick reply, was not expecting anyone else to be lurking around on the internet at this time.

Not sure if it was excitement, stupidity or both but i spent the whole time looking at the ground during the viewing so i couldn't tell you what type of tree it was haha! Decent size though at least 20ft...

Yeah I will try and get some photos this week once I have it officially.

Thanks again for the reply though I will most likely have a question for every day of the week months to come

[Cadalot]

Hi Dan welcome to the vine

Your main problem is going to be the roots and shade of the tree, I must admit I would not have taken a plot on with a mature tree slap bang in the middle of it. It will be interesting to see photos as Jay-ell says. re awkward shapes work out if you want an infrastructure of paths and beds or if you are just going to dig it all each year.

This was not the original plan you can see my early thoughts on my blog diary re the possible layouts. what I did know from the start was I wanted beds and paths

Take a looks at the scrapyard challenge thread on here that's a triangular plot

[Guest]

Hi and welcome to the vine

[Mr Bones]

Hi Dan
Congratulations on getting your plot and welcome to the Vine. Most plants want to grow, just choose stuff that grows in your area/climate

[hamamelis]

Hi, and congratulations on getting a plot!

As said above, first check what you've got already on the plot. Feel free to put pics up on here if you need ID help (we like doing that ). The general secret to clearing a plot is to chop all the top growth off, and exclude the light from the roots. You can use specialist fabrics, old tarps, or just cardboard (popular here because it rots down in the end and helps soil structure, rather that you being stuck with a bunch of manky tarp, plus you can get it free).

Then just dig over the ground a bit at a time, but do it thoroughly, making sure you get the roots of perennial weeds out, or they'll just pop right back up as soon as your back's turned. There are other methods (no-dig, etc), but that's the simplest.

Don't feel you have to do the whole plot before you really start, you can plant as you go, then with any luck you'll have something to harvest this year. Courgettes or runner beans are fairly tough and productive, once the frosts are over.

The somewhat bad news, assuming you are in the UK, is that watermelons and clementines aren't really beginner plants in our climate. Watermelons are best in a greenhouse (though you may get lucky outside in a good summer) and citrus plants need to come inside for the winter.

Good luck, and have fun!

[Madmandan90]

Thanks alot for all your replies guys its greatly appreciated. I have taken a photo of the plot and attempted to record a video walking through the slightly overgrown jungle

I honestly cant wait to get started on it now but would appreciate advice on best ways to tackle this. My current plan is to strim everything and clear the cuttings, then dig sections at a time and plant what i can for now. I'm also going to be removing the lower branches from the tree.

For anyone interested here's video of the plot. please if you can spot anything worth keeping let me know before i destroy them

thanks again all!

[bario1]

I hope you enjoy hard work!

[veggiechicken]

Hi Dan - looks fertile
You have an oak tree, don't know if its the big tree of not as I lost my bearings. Spotted some currant bushes and fruit trees ?apple & pear.
As you say, strim down the grass avoiding the bushes where you can hand weed. Then cover the grass with whatever you can find - cardboard's good and free - and clear bits when you can. Plant straight into those bits so you know you'll have summat to eat after all your hard work

[Jay-ell]

Saw the oak as well, don't think it was the big tree as the leaves looked as if they were low down. Not sure as I'm viewing on my phone but at 58sec was that horse tail on the left?

Does look nice and fertile and very lush.

[Madmandan90]

Hey all just a little update, Managed to get around 45 minutes worth of strimming done yesterday before the heavens opened. I have got all of today off as well but it is still tipping it down so looks like i wont be able to crack on with it until next week.

Not all is lost though as I have been planning planning and planning. I wondered if anyone could look at this plan just to make sure i'm not making any rookie errors. I think I've managed to locate the shed where the shade will cover the most of it and managed to keep all the beds in the sun most of the time.

Thanks again.