Viewing first plot today!

[Clash100]

Hello all!

After tinkering with my father in laws veg patch for several years I bit the bullet and put my name down for an allotment.

I'm going to view a half-plot today at my preferred site tomorrow and feel like a kid on Christmas morning.

I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst - the site secretary said it was 'a bit weedy' - so who knows what that means! Looking forward to getting stuck in though.

I will be taking a notepad and pen, but has anyone got any tips/suggestions of things to ask/check/take particular note of?

[muddled]

CAMERA!!!!

We need pictures (we're all terribly nosey) and you will want before and after shots too.
A tape measure might be handy....with a few numbers to go on you can start your planning when you get home...
A garden fork or a hand fork.
One of the most important points to consider is your soil. Have a little rummage at various points of your plot and you'll soon see if you have clay, loam, sand etc.

Final thing to take is a positive attitude.....try to see the potential through the scruffiness.

Good luck!

[Sarico]

Don't worry if it's weedy. Think that if you pay the rent and can cultivated is yours for life. Look for the potential. The good think of a weedy plot like mine is that you jump the waiting list because a lot o people are put off to get one. Mine is full of weeds and rubbish that I was about 79th on the list and then first after less then a year. Plus my grandfather used to say. If there are weed mean the soil is not that bad. Weed are plant that need the same nutrient of our veg. Be positive in everything.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Clash and welcome to the Grapevine!
If there's only one plot available, whatever its like, take it!! If there's a choice between a couple of plots, choose the most open, level one, close to water/ easy access - perhaps even with a shed or greenhouse.
Ask about the site rules - are sheds/greenhouses etc allowed.
When you measure up the plot, mark North on it and any trees or buildings that will cast shade. This will help you plan your layout. (Take a compass!).
Exciting times - Good luck with your new plot.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi there. Take a piece of paper with you. One to draw the plot out and any points the guy who shows you around. We can't use hose pipes on our site only to fill water butts up.
Also you can write ideas down while your down there. Its annoying to get down there and totally forget something.
Weedy to someone could mean something totally different to some one else.
Good luck with your viewing

[Clash100]

Just got back from having a look.

It's in a great location, and has never been cultivated before. There's a few weeds, but not half as bad as I was expecting. It feels the right size for me too - 120 square foot.

Near to the toilet and water supply too! Everyone seems a friendly bunch. There's a bit of junk in the plot, have picked out anything salvageable and the site manager said he will get rid of the rest today - so saves me a job!

Here's a picture:

[noviceveggrower]

Being by the toilet and water supply Bonus
Have you got a shed or anything on your plot?

[Clash100]

Sadly not - it would have been a bonus.

There is a secure tool storage area onsite though, so a shed will probably be on my birthday or Christmas list but not essential yet.

[sparrow100]

It looks pretty good, and never having been cultivated before can be a bonus. Now we'll need to see photos of your progress...

What are you thinking of growing?

[Clash100]

Well, I know I've missed the boat on a few things this year, but the plan is:

Cover half plot with weed suppressing material until I'm ready to deal with it.

De-weed and dig over the other half. Planning to plant out a herb bed and salad leaves bed.

Move over to other half once I've got the first half cultivated

Hopefully, I will have enough time for swedes, pac choi and some overwintering cabbages in another bed, with a fifth bed for carrots and parsnips.

I'll be too late for maincrop potatoes I think, so they'll have to wait to next year. Would also like to grow some Brussels sprouts and legumes next year.

Would also like a soft fruit bed - probably from sticks rather than seed, unless this is a bad idea?

[Martin H]

Congratulations, nice plot, nice plan!

You still have time to get a potato crop if you want one. Even better, the shops will be discounting soon to try and shift their stock.

Make sure you don't waste all those lovely weeds! They have sucked up lots of nutrients from your soil and once they decay they will release them back out to feed your crops.

Good luck and have fun!

[Sarico]

It look like more 120 square meter then foot. Is a lovely plot. Like I said if you keep on top is yours for life so take your time (is a good advice that I need for myself as well Lol)

[Clash100]

Sorry - 120 square yards - so about 91-ish square metres!

That's me flirting between old and new money.

Yes, was very pleased with it - was expecting a far bigger challenge to be honest.

[noviceveggrower]

I agree with Martin on the spud front. The shops will be selling them off cheap so you could put some in. Not only will they break the soil down you will get a bonus of getting your own fresh spuds
Also plug plants like sprouts and beans etc for you from garden centres. Some of them around here have some really good offers so you aren't to late for them. Just remember they will be in the ground for quite a while before you get a crop. So once they are in they can't be shuffled anywhere else.
I have just planted some beans direct cause the first lot croaked out on me.

[Bigmallly]

Forget the weed suppressant & get a load of cardboard or plastic sheeting, weigh it down, put holes in it and plant some tatties.
Good luck & enjoy.