Complete Newby
Having just been given an allotment by our local council 12m x 9m I would appreciate any advice on how best to start my vegetable growing. The ground is of good quality having been used by a elderly gentleman for some years but is covered in weeds. I have been growing small amounts of veg in pots in the garden for a couple of seasons now but never anything as big as the allotment. I am therefore a complete newby so advice on what tools I will need, when I should plant etc. My particular concern is when and what to plant in order to have crops available year round (or least the best part of a year) Thank you all in advance.
Chris
- csarge38's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Prepare well
Fourwood Posted at 11:38 on Fri, 03/19/2010I would suggest the following:
prepare one bed at at time dig, weed plant up etc.
whilst you're doing this cover the rest of the ground (or as much as posssible) with black polythene or similar to suppress the weeds - this will save you hours later
only grow easy stuff for the first year
If interested set aside 'permanent' beds e.g raspberry and other soft fruit. About a third of my plot is set asside for this so the soil is covered in argricultural matting (to suppress weeds) and covered in wood chipping ( free from council)
this will reduce spade work for future years
Most importantly ENJOY IT if it becomes toil you're doing too mcuh _very best of luck
Thanks
csarge38 Posted at 08:53 on Wed, 03/24/2010Thank you all for your input. It is quite exciting watching everything change and I have taken photo's as I go so that I can look back and see just how much it has changed. First earlies, onion sets and a few carrots already in. Just trying to warm up the ground ready for future planting now. Even my wife has been down to 'inspect' the plot. I have divided the plot into 4 sections so that may help with the crop rotation side of things. If anyone reading this is wondering whether to get an allotment or not.........Just do it. I promise you will love it.
im in the same boat ! have
eve napoletani Posted at 14:04 on Fri, 03/05/2010im in the same boat ! have just been given a huge plot 50ft by 80ft its in fairly good condition and im going to take it slowly and not do too much at once. starting with seed potatos then on to onion sets wich are relativly easy then i thought of preparing a few beds for other veg. i might lay half of the plot to lawn as it is so huge with a few fruitbushes here and there.lets know how you get on
don`t do too much at once
Tanya Posted at 13:04 on Thu, 02/25/2010start off with a small area, and once dug then plant some crops if weather is right if not cover to warm up soil and keep weeds down , then move to the next bit.