New Allotment

[Diane177432]

Hi,

I just got my new allotment last Thursday - half a plot. I had a couple of choices and will also be offered another as first option (it has been neglected and the council are asking the owners if they still want it). It is a eally popular site and I didn;t think I'd get one. The plot I have is at the edge of the site, it is 125sq metres and is covered in about 8 inches of lush green grass right now, a bramble and a small tree I cannot identify. To the right of it is a line of hedges hiding the cycle track beyond and some trees. I am close to the water butt. My first impression was great, can't wait to get stuck in, until my husbnad came down and said - not much light!!! because of the hedges and trees. Not sure what to do - teh light travels round so part of the allotment will get sun in the morning or early evening I think. Haven't had a chance to go down there at different times yet to see. I love the spot because its quiet and as I have a 4yr old is away from little critters mitts!! It is also on a slight slope...is there anything I haven't included that could be a problem...lol!!

I have a plan mapped out for how I want it to look, what I want to grow and I am all geared up to getting started. Do you think I should stick with my choice or hold out for the prime spot if the owner gives it up?

Also any tips/advice on planning your first allotment, what to grow, what to have on it, where to get it, on-line stores...basically anyhting you can throw my way will be greatfully appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!

Diane

[Diane177432]

[Merry Tiller]

Is the other plot that much better? If so a little patience might be in order

[supersprout]

I'm with MT, if you are in with a chance of a better plot, worth the wait! But you could plant stuff in largeish pots in trays and spread them on your plot ready to move if the decision won't be long.

If you use the 'search' on this site (try 'new allotment') you'll see loads of great advice - I was a newbie in May and really got off to a head start thanks to the threads on A4a. The best advice I got was just to dig a bit :P, plant a bit ;D, dig a bit more :P ... it works!  ::) Have fun and enjoy your new plot, whichever you choose, that's what it's there for! And remember to post photos when you are bursting with pride ;D

[Delilah]

Don't be put off if you like the location go with it girl, to be enclosed can be used to your advantage as Wardy says - trust a fella to put the dampeners on your excitement!

[Diane177432]

Mmmmm...thanks! Its given me something to think about and I had to laugh about the 'putting a dampner on it' - so, so true!! I think I am going to go for this one and try and make it my own - that's half the battle, isn't it - facing the obstacles and overcoming them. I don't really want to dilly dally round for the other plot...if it comes up and I can handle it, the manager said I could take it too as I just have 1/2 a plot right now. I was seriously ill a year ago and am looking upon this to get me fit as well as stress free, so the sooner I start the better.  Wardy - your pics have given me hope!! I can cut back the hedges a bit and as I used to live in the Fens, I loved the bird life there, so the idea of birds in the tress tweeting away while I am pottering is a lovely thought...sentimental old fool I am!

Thanks again - and I will start reading up on EVERYTHING!!

Diane
x

[AikenDrum]

Diane, firstly, welcome to A4A also known as the midway point between heaven and earth  :) I am a member of the "old man club" and, more importantly, a complete vegetable gardening virgin. I had the choice of 3 or 4 plots which varied in degrees of neglect. I finally chose one that probably only Don Quixote would have looked at but the pure joy and inner contentment I have gotten so far by just being there and digging out lumps of dirt, turning them over and seeing all that beautiful brown stuff underneath defies description. I have now planted winter onions, garlic and broad beans, and may even chuck (is that a gardening term ?) some peas in this weekend. My family and friends are seriously discussing arranging for me to see my GP as they can't understand why I continously walk around with a silly grin on my face. The grin will spread to their faces next year when they are eating the fruits (well, vegatables) of my labour, which it isn't by the way ! Until the government starts putting a tax on joy, this is better than a bottle of Valium a day .... wonder if there are any GPs reading this ! It's not one of the 7 tasks of Hercules, it's just pure, sweet, uncomplicated pleasure. Wait 'til you sit in your shed brewing a cuppa and gazing in quiet contentment and amusement at the rain falling on all your little babies.   {:¬)#

[Annadl]

Welcome Diane

AikenDrum has just described the same bliss I feel since I started gardening 6 months ago.  I don't have an allotment, just a little vege patch in my back yard.

Enjoy :)

Anna from Downunder

[Diane177432]

Thanks Wardy - don't get me wrong - my husband looked at the plot and said, I can see myself coming down here alot to chill out and potter around - so I can see that happening...thanks for showing the piccies.

AIkenDrum - you are sooooo right...I've just moved back to my hometown and the first thing I did was apply for an allotment...used to have one as a kid and have so many happy memories - I want my little boy to experience it as well. You do get suck joy from being down there. It was like coming home...sorry going into my own World again  ::) - The looks my family gave me (and are still givin gme, I hasten to add) when I mention my allotment and what I am going to do, plant, make etc - The look of, 'She needs to get out more...'!!

I moved to a flat, didn't have a garden...then to a rented house...back garden all paved over except for a 6ft x 2ft plot that I grew herbs in...then to our first home, which had a 120ft garden that I went crazy in!!...now we're back to a small garden again and I need to branch out...that's where the allotment comes in...my own piece of heaven!

Good to find like-minded people whose family would like to commit them too!! ;)

Diane
x

[Diane177432]

I must admit mine said a crate of beer would get him down there like a shot  :D!! and I totally agree with you...the rubbish I have been eating like 'no taste' tomatoes, limp lettuce and produce that reaches its 'best before' before its best before is due drive me mad. There is just no taste in produce you buy in the shops these days yet they want to charge a fortune for it just because it is in some fancy packaging...oh there I go again..better climb down from that high horse  ::).

Diane
x

[Mothy]

Wardy!! I wish my OH would buy me a box of vin rouge for my shed!! No such luck..sigh!!

I too, wish you luck Diane..it really is great growing and eating your own produce......there are always problems, but then there's always next year to try again!  :)

I can't remember ever feeling so contented as since I started clearing our plot last Xmas time!!

I find myself always planning ahead, deciding where to try and put an espalier apple tree, should I buy more raspberry canes, how big should my netted frame be to keep the damned cabbage whites off next year  ;D

Little and often and enjoy yourself.

[Diane177432]

Finally managed to drag little one down to the allotment with me today. It was cold and windy and starting to rain, but we dressed up warm and braved it. The allotment is only a minutes walk from my house. Got down there and managed to trim back the hedges, clear some nettles and tall grass and clear quite a bit. I was a bit worried about the amount of glass I found and a few empty bottles of gin (!!) - didn't like Harry (my 4 yr old) rummaging around too much in case he came across something, so I think I'll spend some of Saturday trying to get the worst stuff off the allotment.

Noticed quite a lot of people had wooden pallets on theirs. Where do I get these from. Is there a secret wooden pallett club!?? There were a few stacked near the main gate but I didn't want to help myself just in case they were being left by someone. Think I ought to talk to the manager if I can catch him.

Been thinking about what to plant - any ideas for first timers - what seed companies are good or have any of you got any favourites...I was looking through the suttons and T&M web sites and there are like 100's of varieties of one vegetable...ended up very confused and unsure as to what to grow!! Ordered a catalogue but will probably still be just as confused. I would like to grow a selection of every day veg but throw in a few unusual things that I may not otherwise buy in the shops because they cost too much!! or as you say Wardy, try something that I probably otherwise wouldn't have cooked. With our collection of cookbooks I am bound to find a recipe for some weird and wonderful veg!

[EmmaLou]

Welcome Diane!

I'm also new to this, so know what you are going through - I took my plot on in the summer. I have managed to get Onions, garlic and very sad looking purple sprouting brocolli (slugs got to them!) planted so far. Still weeding and digging the rest of my half plot.

Just plant what you like eating, and maybe one or two things you haven't tried before (if you have the space). I am going to grow Kohl Rabi as I've never had it before. It just looked very interesting!  :D

You could try Dobies (on the web) for seeds, as several people on this forum recommended them to me. I haven't ordered anything from them yet, but they seem to be reasonably priced. You should also see if there is an Allotment Association at your site - they often are able to get seeds at a huge discount.

Have a look at this link - loads of suggestions I was given when I started up!
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,11904.msg109778.html#msg109778

Good luck!

[Delilah]

Wardy have you only had plot for 1 year - I got the impression you were a lifer and been lottying forever!!

[Delilah]

I'm amazed cos you always seem to have the answers to everybodys questions  :D

[Delilah]

don't be so hard on yourself Wardy ;D - but have to admit Johny Large plot looks fantastic  :)

[colleenemp]

It is true that Wardy is wonderous in her sharing of knowledge Delilah! Has helped me loads! :)

[markfield rover]

you will also find that your lottie neighbours will be as free with their advice as they are with produce plants etc there is such a thing as a free lunch   :)   it is a special place  ! i  get so much advice that i now keep a journal  and photos as we now have plot two  !

[ellkebe]

Hi Diane - glad to hear it's going well.   
My OH considers the lottie a source of hard work most of the time, and of minor irritation the rest of the time  :(  So keep yours on side any how you can.  I think I'm going to try the crate of beer suggestion next, as decent fruit and veg. doesn't seem to have done the trick!

[tracey19]

I was given a plot, only one available overgrown with blackberry bushes.  It was a complete nightmare.
Anyways, put my name on list for anyone given up and landed a well kept plot a week ago.
Keep fingers crossed.

[Diane177432]

Best of luck Tracy. We visited the allotment this morning and started planning it out - bags of fun - managed to grab some free pallets so the starting of our composter and wood for our borders. Met some more lovely folk who were only to glad to give us the history of the allotment along with tons of tips and advice...don't know what we would do without them - it is such a great community and everyone is so helpful. You will love it!