Planning for the plot

[Laura Hillier]

Hi Everyone,

When it comes to looking forward, to your growing spaces of 2014, what is your approach? Do you plan meticulously with scale drawings and sowing guides? Or are you a more spontaneous gardener, growing new things you come across as you find them and filling gaps as you go? Or somewhere between?

Answers may be edited and published in the January issue of Grow Your Own.

Laura

[PyreneesPlot]

Yes, everything is planned in as far as I know which veg are going into which bed. Where in each bed is ad hoc and things often don't go to plan. The plan is a starting point rather than fixed.

[Garden Chronicle]

There's only so much planning you can do. For me it amounts to brassicas in this bed, potatoes there and roots and stuff over here. From that point things change. People give you stuff and you find you have an unexpected number of plants to put in. Things go well and things don't turn out how you thought they might. So, for me it's a matter of having only a rough idea and taking everything a bit at a time.

More important than a plan is your method. Keeping a space between rows to walk along, thinning your root crops and generally helping everything along. Keeping an eye out for pests and attending to your crops are more crucial aspects of planning. So more important than planning what goes where is what to do and when.


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[Martin H]

I've got the plot marked out into individual beds that I don't have to walk on; I've got notes on what I grew where this year. When it comes to planting time I'll just make sure that things are in different places from the year before. That, plus deciding how much of each crop to plant, is the limit of my planning. The rest will evolve on the ground.

[lottie dolly]

I know what i will be growing in 2014,i have seeds from this year,and new ones on order,some of us at the allotments give spare plants to each other,that also increases our varieties,i have done a rough sketch/plan for next year as i have taken a 1/2 plot to add to my other 2,also planning where to build some walk in net covered areas,plus another home built polytunnel,my aim is to make future years that bit easier,there is always that little something extra you come across,and must have,to find a spot or a row for,no matter what plans we set out with,they often get sent in another direction,the main thing is to enjoy what you do,

[WPG]

I'm a fervent list-maker, so having an allotment means lots and lots of lists. I've already written a schedule for green manuring/compost/liming, as well as a fortnightly sowing timetable for 2014, and an exact planting scheme, mapped out on scaled colour coded diagrams.
Planning keeps me happy over the winter months, but once 2014 gets up and running I know the plans will unravel and it'll be a case of trying to fit surplus plants into any available gaps.

[Bill HH]

I plan in great detail during the winter, my plan includes growing exhibition veg to enter the top vegetable shows and schemes for marketing my surplus. Around August I am peeling my one twisted carrot and going to farmers markets to replace the stuff that the aphids, slugs and fungal infections killed.Every year i tell myself "next year will be different"

[Bigmallly]

Planning is a great way to pass those cold winter months but come spring, it usually goes out of the window...........

[veggiechicken]

Plot planning is a bit like making New Year resolutions - it only lasts a few days then the novelty wears off. Its a long time since I've taken either seriously. I'm more of a "Ooh look, an empty space, what can I fill it with" kind of girl

[Scarlet]

I'm with you there VC. My planning is also a 5 minute wonder! I look in my seed box, decide what I'm going to plant and then who ever is ready first gets the space.

[Stan79]

Yep - everything is planned. I'm very new to all this so i'm trying to make make too many mistakes so as i see what works well and what doesn't i'm tweaking my plans to try and get the most out of the plot. I use Microsoft Excel to keep track of what i've planted and whether it worked or not as well as the number of plants from one year to the next to see whether we're using what i'm planting or whether we're wasting, space, seeds, soil, etc. I'm also using Sutton's Garden Planner Software to help me with the layout and crop rotation!

(I quite like details!!!)

[Bigmallly]

You'll most likely find Stan that the same crop could have different results pending the climate, soil fertilaty, pests & beasties so don't take your results as gospel.

[Veggielot]

I always start with the intention of being more organised and know exactly what I am going to plant where and when but this tends to go out the window a bit. I have got all my beds laid out now so it is easier to stick to crop rotation but this tends to be the only part of my plan that survives the year. I do find it useful to at least have a plan to start with.

[Dorothy rouse]

Oh dear, you all make me feel totally disorganised ! I do kind of plan,but in my head, then I forget! And plant stuff all over the place, not good. But this winter I'm gonna 'plan' and also be really persuasive, bend husbands arm, to make some proper beds, and paths, cos then I WILL feel organised.

Am so impressed with all of you, plans,spreadsheets, timetables......................

I have ordered my potatoes for next year, and am about to order seeds from allotment shop, so do get that far!

DottyR

[Bren In Pots]

I've got 3 beds, in my back garden brassicas, roots and one for everything else so I know roughly where things are going its just a matter of fitting it all in.