Hello one and all, HELP!!!

[Dobby]

Congratulations NewKid
Expect lots of weeds when we got ours the weeds where taller than me dont be put of by the weeds thow just slah and burn then Dig Dig Dig
and Dig some more

[madderbat]

Hi NK, welcome to the vine and congratulations on getting a lottie.
You may find that you go through various feelings, like : elation, panic, fear, depression (have I taken on too much) and eventually we hope, satisfaction.

First of all assess what you've got, and think long and hard about the council offer to rotavate for you - it can destroy absolutely everything that may or may not be growing already, and also chop the weeds up so that they grow in places they'd never been before!

Take it steady and don't feel that you have to do it all at once. Certainly a whole weekend of digging will knack you for the rest of the week!

Be kind to yourself and do a little bit at a time.
Grow what you like to eat. Maybe just get a few things in this year, perhaps green beans, carrots, leeks/onions and cabbage - check the seed packets for planting times/conditions. When you eat something you've grown you will begin to feel pleased.

Get yourself a book or two (for reading in the bath after digging) and spend some time here. There's loads of advice here and on the lottie.

Talk to your neighbours and expect to be given stuff during the year. People were very kind to us last year and we had plums, butternut squash,marrows, beetroot, raspberries and apples from people. My first parsnip wine was made because one neighbour gave us a whole row of the things - wonderful it was too!

Most of all, remember, you ARE here to enjoy yourself.
Have fun.D)

[Norm]

Yo NKOTB, a couple have just this week taken on a plot at our lottie. It wasn't too bad as far as cultivation is concerned, but they've been philosophical about it.
They've put up a shed reclaimed from a disused plot and are going to dismantle and rebuild an old iron framed greenhouse from another this weekend.
They don't think they'll be able to get much in this season, but want to get the plot ready to go for 2008.
You also say you haven't seen the plot yet. When you have, find out what you've got, work out what you need and plan from there.
Most importantly, DON'T RUSH, just enjoy it.

[nick the grief]

...You may find that you go through various feelings, like : elation, panic, fear, depression (have I taken on too much) and eventually we hope, satisfaction......

Bugger, I'm still on panic

HI NK,

Welcome to the vine and congrats on the new plot. You've been given so good advice already so not much to add really.

When I took mine on I called a family meeting and we sat round the table with loads of seed catalogue's and books and I made a list of everything that Mrs G & the Grieflettes liked the look of then went away and rationalised the list - coconuts don't grow to well in Warwickshire although I am persisting with a pineapple inthe greenhouse

From this list you can split the things into similar types for your crop rotations and add in some cut flowers to give an extra rotation ( and brownie points)

As the others have said take it easy, it's a marathon not a sprint and you've got the rest of your life to sort it.

If you can get hold of some black plastic get it and cover the plot over then roll it back a bit at a time and clear a bit more. Go to the pound shop and get some big tubs and you can grow some stuff in these and they will weight the plastic down and make it look better.

Local knowledge is better than any advise on here so ask your neighbours first then check with us No question is too stupid to get an answer and you never stop learning.

[newkidontheblock]

Saw My allotment for the first time.........

Well seen it now, not to bad. Not to big eithier so a good starter.
Some chest high brussell sprouts and every weed possible but not bad.
The plot already has a composter and water butts so a slight head start there.
Managed to rope in a few friends to give me a hand over the weekend with most the clearing.
Met some of the other residents there and all seem really nice and willing to help with tools etc and also seeds.

The future is bright. I'll take some pictures this weekend and get them posted on here.

[mandyballantyne]

Hi New Kid,

I am soooo excited for you, have agreat time this weekend and take some before and after pics for us please.

If you have sprouts you may have other goodies hidding, have a good look before you dig everything up!

Mandy

[JennieAtkinson]

Do post your pics NKOTB. We really love seeing other people's allotments!

[newkidontheblock]

To rotivate or not to rotivate..............

Right guys,

Spent huge chunks of my weekend up the allotment everything hurts now, it's even painful typeing

One of the other guys gave me some runner beans and their now in trays before they go into the ground.

One conumdrum I've come up against is, do I rotvate it or not. Some say do as the soil is better and some say no as it just cuts the weeds up and they grow back with even more ferocity. Help please.

I have some before and during photos which I'll post later if I can, I'm going there after work today to do some more clearing.

So do I rotovate or not?

[OverWyreGrower]

Hi NKOTB, welcome to the vine!

We rotovated, even with horrid weeds! Our soil was very compacted and dense as its been at least 15 years since anything was grown there, and the rotovator has helped with this.

Of course, I've spent hours and hours weeding the couch grass out, and have used RoundUp on the bits we're not planting in this year. All back breaking, but worth it!