Allotment

[Spunky]

I'm going to look at possibly my first allotment this morning! I've been up since half past five I haven't got to meet her till ten lol
I've had a quick peep at them and there virgin ground the grass has just been dragged back and the soil looks a bit heavy or clay not too sure till I get a good look at it and dig it
This is what I'm wondering though should I dig or not? This is all new to me, I'm not against digging at all the other way I could think would be to plant seedlings in trenches or holes filled with compost ????

[Bigmallly]

There's not a lot to plant at this time of year apart from onions & garlic unless you have any winter seedlings ready to go in. You could always plant through cardboard which will eventually rot down into the soil. Try small areas with different methods & see which is best for you.

[Spunky]

Thanks bigmalley I doubt I will be planting much I'm more confused about weather or not I should be turning the soil over

[Bigmallly]

A lot of growers turn their plots over into clods & let the frost break them down. Sounds like hard work to me but it must work I guess. If you dig it, give it a good covering with manure if you can get any.

[Guest]

I am all for digging it all over once at the start and it just makes it easier further down the line. Also plan roughly where you want paths so you don't undo all the hard work. I also like the dig factor as you get close and personal with the soil and discover those slightly damp patches or that odd bindweed patch and the line of nettles (you might want to learn your roots for that bit)

[Snadger]

If you're fit and well and don't mind digging, cancel your Gym membership and dig the whole lot over once.
You can then decide what you want to do in the future. I dug mine once, then adopted a no dig strategy ever since, just adding organic matter and letting the worms do the digging.

[alldigging]

If you have a choice, choose one in the sun and away from trees.

[veggiechicken]

..............and near water
Happy allotmenting!!

[Kirk]

Likely you will be getting the area set up at first depending on what is possible. You could put vertical posts in and edge the plot with wood. Makes it easy to define your plot, also it is something to measure along. The beds in the garden I do this to and being able to put marks at say 12" intervals either side then make a straight row is much easier. Does of course depend on the dimensions.

Suggest you simply mark, edge or whatever your plot out then I suspect you really will need to dig, either some of it or all of it. Just not all at once.

If there is a B&Q near you then pick up a couple of their large bags of Verve Compost and a bag or two of manure, dig that into a small stretch. Then if wanted put some garlic cloves in and some overwintering onions. If nothing else it is something in the ground and a start. Try Wilkinsons for overwintering onions.

Then carry on preparing the remainder of the plot and hopefully watch the garlic and onions grow. There are other things that you can start off, have a look for a calander of sowing options here of on one of the seed websites. Just checked Moreveg and they have one, sure they did as they sent me an email listing October sowings and seeds, which is why I mention them.

Lets face it weeds will grow and will grow fast, so you may want to strim them to keep them down or spray - if you want to spray and if allowed, find out first don't just spray and assume, you could upset people before you even get going. This is another reason to edge your plot.

You can dig one area and cover the rest with manure and whatever and let nature do it for you. You do have the winter for this and this tends to be a quiet time for sowing and growing.

Get half a plan formulated now for what you want/intend to grow. That gives you an idea what you willl need to do.

[Spunky]

I've got one!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm over the moon
100sqm and it's right next to water with no trees, it's got grass paths around and parking right next to it
I'll do what you suggested kirk thanks and get the rest dug over winter
Going up there in a bit too make a start!

[skeggijon]

If the ground is fairly level, I think i would build raised beds on the plot by building wooden frames, laying cardboard slightly larger than the frame, then staking the frame on top and filling with manure and compost.
If the ground is uneven however, I would always dig it all over first.

[muddled]

Congratulations!

If the ground is heavy clay, turning over rough is a good idea. Leaf mould is a good conditioner. Find your local rugby/football/cricket pitch and talk nice to the groundsman They never allow leaves to linger and often have a years old pile free for the taking!

You have taken on your plot at the best time of year.... a blank canvas to get ready for next season... don't forget to allow yourself a workstation space for composting, storing netting, canes and tools etc, a shed if you're having one, a place to sit and drink your tea and so on. That bit won't need digging so if you know where it's going you'll save a bit of work

[Bex]

I've got one!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm over the moon
100sqm and it's right next to water with no trees, it's got grass paths around and parking right next to it
I'll do what you suggested kirk thanks and get the rest dug over winter
Going up there in a bit too make a start!

Congratulations, take some pictures please for no other reason than I'm nosey.


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[Joe c]

Spunky do you mind me asking where you've taken one on? I've also taken a new plot in bristol this morning!

[Greenleaves]

Enjoy your plot Spunky, perfect time to start preparing for next year....