my first post

[lottie-newbie]

Hello everyone !! this is my first post here but definately will not be my last!

I was lucky enough to get an allotment last year but am a complete begginer apart from that.

I have not been to lottie for various reasons since October! and now I am getting so embarassed about not having been there that I keep putting it off.

One of the reasons I ahvent been is basically because I dont know what I am supposed to be doing when. I guess I should be starting to dig over the plat now shouldnt I ? I live in the midlands and the soil although stoney is not too bad.

I still have some leeks there and rhubarb and raspberries and asparagus. I dont like cabbages so have none of those.

Giess I am just after a little encouragement to go as I feel so bad about not going that am worried that everyone will say something when I finally get around. Do any of you go and do much in the winter months?

[Two_Sheds]

I like to pop up every week or so, even in winter. It's my passion ~ I can't keep away, even if it's just to check my shed is still standing, and to feed the birds.
Plus, I have pet bedding and kitchen scraps to put on the compost heap. And there are crops to pick, although not much now that growth has slowed right down (just kale, sprouts, cabbage: PSB will be along soon)

I can't wait to get cracking in a month or so ... and then I will be up there every day

[sallym]

Welcome LN. Bite the bullet and go on a nice day. You will probably find most people that don't have crops to pick won't have been visiting too regularly. Once the weather starts to improve get up there for a couple of hours and start tidying. You'll soon get back into the swing, and find that the couple of hours has turned into 4 then 6. Then you will have made a start and be ahead of some plot holders. No one will have an excuse to talk about you then.

[stephen with a p]

dont panic i got my first allotment in july i grew some spuds but thats about it as there is a lot of work to be done and i have not been down proper since about october only to top up compost but i will be starting again next weekend as i have some retaining to do before my alotment ends up in river as its on a slope lol and like you im new to all this think i taken a lot on really but onwards and upwards im glad i found this site everyone seems friendly there is another site as well called allotments 4us they very friendly and helpfull as well
steve

[zazen999]

Hi

Yup, just get up there. Even if it is to write a list of things that you need to do.

But then again, you're talking to the person who went up on Christmas morning and dug over a bed with the OH.

Whilst you are there, try to take a photo so you can see how far you've come when the summer comes.

[jackie j]

I havent been to mine very much but I try to go at least once a week just to check things over, see whats growing, I have got about 200 onions in as well as garlic and shallots, broad beans ( no sign of these yet ) to over winter and spring cabbages all doing well. I check my shed hasnt been broken into or blown away. Sometimes I just sit and watch the birds.

[Snadger]

I have to go every day because of my chooks! I always seem to do a little bit of something while I'm there but today was blowing a hooligan so I didn't even feel safe in the greenhouse.
Once we get the lighter nights the inspiration will return.
Even when I didn't have the chooks I would still try and get there two or three times a week. Even if it was only to light the woodburner to air the greenhouse or sometimes just to make a cuppa then come home!

[Flummery]

I go down when I need some greens. Nice to pootle about and dig up a few weeds (never seems to be any end to them!) I'll get stuck in once I start sowing and planting stuff.

[raine]

Snap! but don't worry we bit the bullet today and not only was everyone glad to see us but they said that they hadn't been up much either! Plus, the plot didn't look so bad either.

[Stacey Steve]

I was stupid and took on 3 plots a couple of years ago. There was no way that I was going to get it all "productive" but the important thing is to keep the weeds down.

To this end, my first purchase (even before I got a shed) was a petrol stimmer.

There was no way I was going to be accused of spreading weed seeds.

Even after this time, the plots are not what I want them to be but they are in a better state that a lot of the other plots.

The council were down there doing an inspection/survey and I was a little concerned about the "state" of my plots but they said "You are absolutely no problem because we can see you are still developing your plots and improving bit by bit"

So don't think you have to do everything at once (unless you are a super hero), just keep it all tidy and then it's "steady as you go".

The important thing is to enjoy it.

[lottie-newbie]

hey thanks everyone. I dont feel so bad now. Plus my son is staying this week so if the weather is kind I will get him there with me. hope that by this time next week I can post to say I have done something!

[SHAZSULL]

i ve been the same,am now gonna take the bull by the horns and get down there!
good luck hope its not tooo cold !

[vegnut]

You'd be surprised at how many people don't visit their lotties during the winter months, and then go back in the spring, when the sun is shining. No one minds, as long as they see some sort of activity going on.

[allotmentlady]

I like to pop up every week or so, even in winter. It's my passion ~ I can't keep away, even if it's just to check my shed is still standing, and to feed the birds.
Plus, I have pet bedding and kitchen scraps to put on the compost heap. And there are crops to pick, although not much now that growth has slowed right down (just kale, sprouts, cabbage: PSB will be along soon)

I can't wait to get cracking in a month or so ... and then I will be up there every day

i know the feeling two sheds, my lottie is like my 2nd home, like to go up there and make sure all is well, a nice cuppa, walking around, planning where its all going.....then feeling kinds deflated cos i cannot do much!!

lottie newbie..not a lot to be done really, i dig mine over at the end of the month, cover it up and then rotovate in March. You can start sowing. Best bet is go up there, decide what you want to do, take a piece of paper and pencil, ask yourself if you want raised beds or not? Decide what you want to grow, making sure you have enough seed etc........planning is easier, then you do not panic. Shop about on the internet. Tattieman on here sells spuds, find his id and link to his website, there is also a shopping section on here which may help you.

Dont be embarrassed about going up, no doubt there will be others who dont bother at all!

Good luck and welcome to the site