New allotment

[Kaz210707]

My husband and I have just taken over our first allotment, we've always been keen gardeners, veggie plots in the back garden lots of flower beds etc, so thought we'd take the plunge having found out there were some available in the area we've just moved into.

The plot is 6m x 20m, so very large for starting out and very overgrown. It has been strimmed down so not very tall grass etc which is good.
But where do we start? Thought maybe putting down something to try and kill the worst of the grass and weeds before we start digging (hubby currently away with work for a while).

Really not sure where to start but we're trying to get it sorted ready for next spring, not going to rush into it.

Thanks in advance.

[nickdub]

I'd start by getting hold of a pile of cardboard - sometimes shops have skips round the back where you can get a load - don't forget to put bricks or stones on it to weigh it down, as you don't want to annoy your new neighbours if it gets windy :-)

Also digging up a small area with a fork and getting the weeds out will allow you to get some seeds sown - its always a motivator for me if I have something new growing, when it comes to doing donkey work.

[Chestnut]

Hi Kaz,
I got my allotment just a couple of years ago, and I would definitely recommend covering the parts you’re not ready to dig with something which will exclude the light.
I used flattened cardboard boxes covered with a layer of black weedresistant membrane, held down with bricks and broken slabs I found on the plot. It took a few months to collect enough card, so the plot got covered in sections - though if you have moved house in the last week or two, then finding cardboard boxes won’t be a problem ;-)
After that, I gradually dug over bit by bit, and planted up as I finished digging each bed. The bits which had been covered for 6 months were definitely easier to dig than the first patch.

My other tip is to take photos often - the ‘before’ and ‘now’ comparison is a great way to remind yourself how far you’ve come

[Kaz210707]

Is there a way to upload pictures from my phone? The link I found only seemed to upload pictures from a website.

I definitely think we'll try covering it up to start with as theres a lot of ground to dig. There seems to be some pallets and possibly some kind of edged beds but at the moment they're not visible.

Thanks

[veggiechicken]

I've posted a link on your other thread !!
If you keep your allotment posts on one thread it would be easier.

[Kaz210707]

Here's our allotment.

[Kaz210707]

Planning an allotment

Hi all,

I was wondering if I could get some advice on the best way to plan our allotment.

It's quite large, gets sun for nearly all the day except for the very top little bit.
I think hubby will want to go for the digging way as he likes to do manual work.
But I'm at a bit of a loss as to how best to lay it out, is there an ideal size for beds and paths? We're not allowed sheds but can have low level storage. I've also acquired a compost bin.

Any other advice gratefully received.

[Greenleaves]

There are many different ways of laying out an allotment and no right or wrong way, its what you want that matters.

I use edged beds others use raised beds some just have one big bed or a combination of all the above.

Normally you would plan to have the tallest crop at the rear of the plot so it dosent cast a shadow and shade other plants.

Beds I pick from are no more than 1.5 mtrs wide as I can access all sides, some are bigger for open ground crops....spuds etc.

[Jay-ell]

Hi Kaz - I've taken the liberty to merge a couple of your threads together as they were essentially the same question and it makes it easier for everyone to only have the one thread so we know where we've answered.

What happened with the previous allotment in 2016?
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ml#post1425586

[Kaz210707]

Hi Kaz - I've taken the liberty to merge a couple of your threads together as they were essentially the same question and it makes it easier for everyone to only have the one thread so we know where we've answered.

What happened with the previous allotment in 2016?
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ml#post1425586

We had one season with it and then had to hand it back as my husband was sent away for work for 2 years and now we've moved again (for his work).

[Jay-ell]

I'd advise that you try to temporarily cover as much of the plot as you can with something that will block light - tarps, black plastic, cardboard, etc. That way when you're working on one bit this covering is going to help weaken any weeds under it to make your life easier.

When you work on digging it forget about everything else and give yourself a manageable area to dig. Don't think I have to dig the entire plot, just think "today I'm going to dig this 4 foot by 4 foot patch and take the weeds out" that'll help keep you on track and you can relate to what you've achieved rather than what is left to do.

Once you've cleared an area you can plant straight into it so you get a crop this year. You can buy some flats from garden centres etc and transplant them (this year I wouldn't really be too bothered with crop rotation as you have no idea where things were last planted). You can probably get lettuces, leeks beets and some other stuff. It's not too late to sow seed - have a browse round the forum as there's an active thread about this now. You could sow some seeds in modules now and by the time they are ready to go into the ground you can have the space cleared for them - quicker than waiting to sow direct.

You can decide on whether you're going to go dig or no dig. Either way you may want to dig it the first year to get out the roots of perennial weeds. For no dig after that you just keep laying down mulches of compost and plant into that.

Something else to think of is if you are going to go "big bed" or permanent path "raised bed".

With Big Bed you tend to only have the main paths as permanent features, lets say one running down the length and one across the width both in the centre of the plot. This way you have 4 big beds and you then plant out rows of different veg within these beds. 4 beds allows for a reasonable crop rotation plan.

Raised beds tend to be smaller permanent beds with fixed permanent paths around them. They are wide enough to be able to reach into the middle from either side (3' - 4' is a good size) and as long as you want (but remember the longer they are the further you have to walk to get to the other side).

They are raised when you dig them and apply compost, plus as they aren't being walked on they don't get compressed, unlike the paths. You don't need to put wood edges around the sides but you can if you want.

There's a lot of people that are passionate about one way or the other, but in the end it's down to what works for you. You could always try a big bed area and switch to raised beds if it doesn't work for you.

[casejones]

1. how is your 20ft x 65 plot oriented it the long end north to south or east to west.
2. what vegetables do you like to eat.

[casejones]

1. how is your 20ft x 65 plot oriented it the long end north to south or east to west.
2. what vegetables do you like to eat.