One giant leap

[HeyWayne]

I'm not the first, and I certainly doubt I'll be the last to post here asking for help in the vaguest sense.

Fairly new to gardening, and even newerer to allotments and alike. Just about to acquire my firstest ever allotment plot - I get to pick from four at the weekend. Doubtless the "allotmenteers" already there will have the best plots - if such a thing exists, but are there any things I should look for to select my plot. The allotment itself is flat, and most of it is open and in sun most of the day, but other than that failry featureless.

I am quite excited about this new "adventure", but I am aware that I come to allotmenteering quite late in the season. Other than getting the soil ready for next year can I do/grow anything this year?

The first question the guys asked me when I spoke to him (over the phone) was "are you retired?" - which made me think about the amount of time needed to tend to an allotment. You hear stories of people that say you don't need to be there every evening... do you? I work quite long hours, and at this time of year I can only really get there at weekends - is this enough?

Questions questions...

[supersprout]

As long as you have a routine of getting to the allotment, you'll be able to put in enough time. At this time of year especially, there's little to do (until late March). The main issue isn't so much husbandry as harvesting. If you want really fresh veg, it's nice to run straight from the plot to the kitchen. There will always be ways around any problems; you might consider growing e.g. drying beans instead of fresh beans, and winter squash instead of courgettes if you can't get up to the plot to harvest daily in the growing season.

I found this book really helpful in helping me prioritise time on the plot

[HeyWayne]

Thanks supersprout. To be honest, I live about a 10-15 minute walk from the allotments, so I shouldn't really have any excuse - especially in summertime. Thanks for the tip on the book, I've ordered "The Allotment Book" which should get me started I guess.

My biggest problem is going to be deciding what to grow - we eat, and enjoy so many vegetables it's hard to know where to start!

Thanks once again.

[Hans Mum]

hi my lottie is only 5mins from home, so i can call on my way home for whatevers growing for tea (or thats the plan anyway) as SS says at this time of year theres not much you can do and the weekends are enough, and when the longer days get here you can get over on an evening for even half an hour which will all add up and help and you can then crop whatevers in season for the next day it will still be a lot fresher and healthier than from the supermarkets

[HeyWayne]

Is there a standard plot size? I have the option of a full or half plot - I'm likely to go for full to be honest anyway, better to have than to have not...

[Lesley Jay]

Hi HeyWayne and welcome to this madhouse. I am certain that you will really enjoy your time here.

Just getting to your allotment at weekends to work will be fine. During the growing season we go every other evening to water the crops and at the same time harvest some vegetables or pick the fruit for that evenings jam making session. You will soon get into a routine to suit yourself. Don't worry about how often other people go just enjoy the allotment life and the fresh produce.

[HeyWayne]

Thanks for the note of encouragement LJ, I certainly plan on enjoying it!

Once I'm up and running (well, we'll start with a walk first) I'll let you know how I'm getting on of course!

Might even let you see my plot once I've picked it at the weekend - weather permitting of course!

[lozza_9]

Welcome

The allotment book will help you loads - bought it the other week and gives loads of advice - especially about planning your allotment, which I have found very important.

Both me and my hubby work long hours but we manage to get down at weekends, as many people have said not much is going on at the moment. My allotment is empty at weekend as most of the other plots are up and running but we are still planning and building stuff.

Before the clocks changed I would drive straight to the allotment after work and do about 1 hours work, then go home.

I am sure you will be, best of luck, you will love it, I do

Loz

[roitelet]

Hello Heywane, Welcome to the vine.

I would be inclined to grow potatoes in some of the plot as they don't need a great deal of attention and will clear the ground for you, That will give yoy a chance to concentrate on the remaining space for other things.

Best of luck

[Shortie]

Hiya HeyWayne, and welcome!

I have the same concerns as you over time on the lottie.... I wrok full time a and get home at 7 ish in the evening so can only get there the weekends.

I started getting really stressed out as I've had it since last September and haven't acheived much. BUT.... thinkiing back, I've had a few family issues that have stopped me in October for a bit, then there's the weekends I get rained out.

Soooo.. this year I've decided to go for weedkiller early March, then rotavate twice in April. In the meantime I'll be getting my newspaper pots started to get my growing season underway.

I'm chilling out, hoping the summer will be easier and seeing how it goes.

Hope you settle into a routine too!

[Snadger]

Go for a full plot if you can! You can always give half up next year if you cannot manage!

I, like you, had the chance of four plots and two were next to each other! Foolishly I only took half the double plot and now wish I had taken the two together.
I've aquired another plot this year, on the same site, but it would have been better if I had the two together.

The average plot is about 300 square yards! (10 poles)

Anyway, welcome to the vine and I look forward to seeing your piccies!

[JennieAtkinson]

Hello HayWayne and welcome to the Vine. I don't have an allotment, but I have found taking take things step by step and grow what you love to eat gets you well started.

[nick the grief]

Hi Haywayne - Haven't I seen you on a constable painting

Think of your allotment as a big vat of whiskey so go at it little & often The standard size is 10rods(or poles) which is about 300sqyds in area, like snadger says go for the fullsize one otherwise you'll end up all over the place.

I assume you've been to the site & spoke to the site reps already, if not a list of thing to ask would be:-

1. Do they have much trouble with vandalism
2. What are you allowed to have on your plot (greenhouse ,animals etc)
3. What facilities do you get ( is there water on site, toilets, site shop)
4. do they offer a quickstart service ( ie will they or do they know someone that would rotavate it for you if you wanted it)
5. Can they get hold of Manure ( we have a friendly farmer and co-ordinate the loads for him so he just comes up and tips it where it should go and then he gets the money off us rather than having to chase 20 odd folks)
6. How much is the cost of the plot

If you can pick one that get plenty of light - you can always shade your plants with netting but if you're competeing with trees your'e knackered!

Then before you decide ask if it's ok if you go and have a chat to any other plotters ( especially your potential neighbours - you don't want to get stuck next to a miserable git if you can avoid it) and ask whats the soil like what things seem to grow well ( varieties of spuds etc - make it sound like you really appreciate their advice, a bit of Bullshit will go a long way

Then when you've made your mind up tell them and away you go.

You find that most folks are more than happy to help and give advice and before you know it they'll be poping round to offer you their spare plants .

Within 10 minutes of me getting to my plot I'd been given a cabbage and the loan of a rotavator!

If you want a bit more advice have a look on our lottie website ( the Warkcom.net one) and then take it from there.

Hope this helps and we are only a mouse click away.

[Peter]

Reiterate Nick's excellent advice, to which I would add only two things.

1/. Take the plot nearest the water supply.

2/. If it is overgrown ask if you can take it "Free For Clearance" or negotiate a reduced rate for the first year.

Doubly reiterate previous advice about size of plot. Ten rod is OK, five if you make a go of it will seem too small from year two.

[nick the grief]

We're spoilt Peter we have water every 3 plots so I didn't think of that