Allotment offer - so what to plant now?

[buzzingtalk]

I have just been offered an allotment! 20m by 10m I think. I am going to check it out tomorrow, but am very keen on getting started. So any ideas for what you can still plant in the next month or so would be gratefully received...I am probably going to move my strawberry tubs there and plant up the runners, which can take over if they so wish Possibly will move a few blueberry bushes (kept in their tubs of course) to make more space at home, but what can go in the ground?

[buzzingtalk]

Letter says 200m 2 - have no idea what this means? From the map provided, the plot is long and thin...surely can't be 200m long?

[Jelliebabe]

I think that would mean 200 meters squared. It cant be 200 meters long as it would only be 1 meter wide. I think that 20 X 10 meters is right! Congratumalations by the way! Having an allotment is great!

[Jelliebabe]

And here is a list of things that you can sow and plant!

Allotment and Vegetable Gardening in August - What to do in your garden in August

[Bigmallly]

I am more or less in the same boat BT, like you I have planted a bed of strawberry runners. Garlic cloves went in yesterday & the Japanese onion sets are at home waiting to go in. Spring Lettuce & Spring cabbage are sown and are in the greenhouse. They will go out under fleece when large enough. Good luck with your plot, lots of hard and exciting work ahead.

[buzzingtalk]

Popped down to inspect the plot today and there is a lot of work to do! Mainly levelling the ground as there are big holes and it is on a slight slope, so doesn't look like I'll be getting anything anytime soon! Also needs a good weeding. I already have a mental image of how I want it to look though, which isn't such a good thing with a mess in front of me nevertheless, I will be buying garlic and onion sets to try and encourage myself to dig faster!!

[planetologist]

You probably won't manage to plant up all of it at once, so it's a good idea to sow green manure and/or mulch the parts that you don't use, otherwise the weeds will take up residence. Let me know if you want to have some free "local advice and support growing food":
Norfolk Master Gardeners | Local advice and support growing food

[alex-adam]

Hi, well done in getting the plot.

If its on a slight slope, thats quite a good thing, - no water-logging.(which is probably not an issue in your part of the world) Which direction does the plot face? - A south facing slope is a real advantage.

Don't go at it like a 'bull at a gate' - cover half the plot over winter with weed suppressant fabric or carpets (if allowed) and dig over the remainder, removing all perennial weeds.

[JamesM]

Winter veg, fast maturing carrots (like Early Nantes), rocket, turnips...

[unclefudgly]

Might I add Mizuna, and Komatsuna for something a little more exotic? I've just sown mine yesterday, should be OK for a couple of months down here yet I hope.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I will be buying garlic and onion sets to try and encourage myself to dig faster!!

Little and often is the way to go about it. Setting yourself unrealistic targets wil lonly make you disillusioned. I would personally be trying to get the whole plot dug before winter. Leave it as rough as you like, the winter frosts will break down any clods so that all you need to do in the springtime is rake it out.

[Jono]

Mizuna's a good call. Really hardy and only the snowed has killed mine off in previous years.

Maybe some spring greens to overwinter?

[Jono]

Forgot perpetial spinach.

[chris]

Winter hardy broadies, winter hardy peas, green manure, cardboard covering, oh and there's still time for at least one more sowing of pak choi, it prefers cooler weather - but harvest before your frosts.

[horticultural_hobbit]

I've got a two week wait before I get a plot or not. Apparently some of the plots haven't be worked for two-three years and the weeds are waist high place( don't know if that's my barely five foot waist or the secretary's). I've got vampiric over wintering onions and garlics expected, and acquadulce broad beans for if and when. There was also some winter lettuce stuff too. Since my home cabbages are awful, ive sown so more spring hero to transplant. Oh, and AP, I know this is the wrong thread, but will the onions need covering with a fleece?