First allotment advice

[Enid]

Hi all,

i collected the keys for my first allotment yesterday and would be very grateful for any advice. It's a half plot that was split into two separate long beds by the previous tenant and looks to be in a fairly good condition. I've attached pictures of the front & back views as well as the rhubarb

The right side bed is empty but there is a compost heap at the front ready to use. The left has a patch of rhubarb and a lot of fruit bushes & canes. There are a good number of raspberry canes that look like they might be Autumn fruiting or spent summer fruits, should I cut them all back and see what happens? I'm not sure what the fruit bushes at the front are but I think I'm going to dig them out as I'd rather leave more room for vegetables than have quarter taken up by fruit. Is this a good idea?

Im also unsure if having two beds is a good idea or if it is leaving a lot of unused space for a small plot as it the is a fairly wide path between the two. Would people leave it as two or widen the beds to create more space?

Im ridiculously excited but aware that my knowledge is limited as I've only done some basic veg growing in the garden before now. I had planned to go down this morning but it's raining too heavily!

Apologies cod for the pictures being on their side, I can't figure out how to get them right.

[Jay-ell]

HELLO Enid and welcome to the vine.

Congratulations on getting your first plot.

I'd cut back any raspberry canes that have signs of fruiting on them, look as if they are damaged or diseased, or look too thick and are old. If there are any that haven't fruited you might get a summer crop.

The plot looks in good nick. if it was mine (which it isn't so ignore this if it doesn't fit in with your plans) I'd leave digging up the fruit bushes for now until I'd sorted the rest of the plot and make a decision at the end of the year. I'd look at identifying and pruning them for now - you'll have plenty of digging to do with the rest of the plot so deferring some work till later is OK. You might end up wanting to keep them, you never know.

Bed width is a matter of personal preference - I have my plot split into raised beds 4foot wide so I can reach into the centre without having to step on the bed, others have large beds and access them on planks between the rows of veg.

You don't need to set your plans firmly now - once you get growing you'll see what works for you.

Get lots of news papers and cardboard to cover the areas your not working on. You could look up no dig method to see if that floats your boat

[Enid]

Thanks for the advice. I spent two hours down there today, met my neighbour who was friendly and keen to pass on his wisdom which was very appreciated. Spent most of the time digging out what looks like couch grass and cutting back the fruit canes. Managed to snap the fork in half so have a feeling I might need to invest in some better tools!

I did cut away most of the blackberry bush as it was twisted into everything. Found another two crowns of rhubarb underneath which was a bonus!

I've decided to keep the two separate beds and use one for spring/summer veg and the other for the winter crop.