Recently a number of people have asked about starting an allotment,
either they've signed up to a waiting list or have just got a new plot.
The most common question is:
"I've got this plot of grass and weeds what do I do with it, where do I start?"
I'm by no means a qualified horticulturist, just someone who has spent the last
few years digging, weeding and growing vegetables so the only advice I
can offer is based on this experience.
I've kept things to the bare minimum, yes you can spend hours reading on various
techniques, best practice and studying plant varieties and that's fine.
I take the approach that I want the maximum produce for the minimum effort.
either they've signed up to a waiting list or have just got a new plot.
The most common question is:
"I've got this plot of grass and weeds what do I do with it, where do I start?"
I'm by no means a qualified horticulturist, just someone who has spent the last
few years digging, weeding and growing vegetables so the only advice I
can offer is based on this experience.
I've kept things to the bare minimum, yes you can spend hours reading on various
techniques, best practice and studying plant varieties and that's fine.
I take the approach that I want the maximum produce for the minimum effort.
What's involved?
Thinking back I'd guess that upwards of 85% of time spent on the allotment
is digging, weeding and ensuring your soil is in good condition.
Once the soil is sorted, yes there's some sowing, planting and harvesting - not
to forget sitting and watching the world go by.... but once the plants are in the
ground I think of it as a baby sitting service while nature does its thing.
As long as weeds are kept to minimum and pests are controlled things should be ok.
The first few years on an allotment are the hardest and most time intensive, all around
you are neighbouring plots that look immaculate overflowing with produce
- the second year is when most new plot holders throw in the towel, which is a shame as
the worst is out of the way.
Tools & Books = Cost
Don't be tempted to go on a spending spree buying umpteen books and brand new tools.
I have a bookshelf full of gardening books, allotment planners, square foot gardening, raised bed gardening, all year round harvesting .... the list is endless.
Save yourself the money, the only book I have used constantly and continue to use is:
" The Complete book of Vegetables, Fruit & Herbs " ISBN: 1-85626-475-0
It covers every aspect of veg growing, along with recipes and medicinal uses.
At present it would seem that it's hard to get hold of, there is a copy on Amazon but this is
the Australian edition - so may differ from the UK one? - not sure.
Tools
If you can, get hold of second hand tools - preferably ones that you don't mind getting
'borrowed' or stolen, there's really no point spending a fortune on tools unless you have somewhere to store them at home.
You'll need a very small selection of tools, the only ones I use regularly are below.
Thinking back I'd guess that upwards of 85% of time spent on the allotment
is digging, weeding and ensuring your soil is in good condition.
Once the soil is sorted, yes there's some sowing, planting and harvesting - not
to forget sitting and watching the world go by.... but once the plants are in the
ground I think of it as a baby sitting service while nature does its thing.
As long as weeds are kept to minimum and pests are controlled things should be ok.
The first few years on an allotment are the hardest and most time intensive, all around
you are neighbouring plots that look immaculate overflowing with produce
- the second year is when most new plot holders throw in the towel, which is a shame as
the worst is out of the way.
Tools & Books = Cost
Don't be tempted to go on a spending spree buying umpteen books and brand new tools.
I have a bookshelf full of gardening books, allotment planners, square foot gardening, raised bed gardening, all year round harvesting .... the list is endless.
Save yourself the money, the only book I have used constantly and continue to use is:
" The Complete book of Vegetables, Fruit & Herbs " ISBN: 1-85626-475-0
It covers every aspect of veg growing, along with recipes and medicinal uses.
At present it would seem that it's hard to get hold of, there is a copy on Amazon but this is
the Australian edition - so may differ from the UK one? - not sure.
Tools
If you can, get hold of second hand tools - preferably ones that you don't mind getting
'borrowed' or stolen, there's really no point spending a fortune on tools unless you have somewhere to store them at home.
You'll need a very small selection of tools, the only ones I use regularly are below.
Year 1
1. Timing
Try to take on a new plot at the end of summer
If beds are already in place all the better, if not get the plot rotavated as a first step.
2. Ground Preparation
Try to take on a new plot at the end of summer
If beds are already in place all the better, if not get the plot rotavated as a first step.
2. Ground Preparation
If you have the time and energy mark out your beds and start the process of
digging and weeding - if the ground is clear enough mix in a load of horse manure.
Having been heavily cultivated over the years, the soil in a newly acquired plot
will generally be very poor, manure will also break down over winter and help towards
improving the soil texture - making the digging in spring that bit easier.
Cover as much of the bare soil as possible with heavy plastic sheeting and leave
it alone until the spring, don't use old carpets, I made this mistake once;
a few months down the line you end up with weeds growing through
the carpet and a load of carpet fibres mixed in with the soil.
digging and weeding - if the ground is clear enough mix in a load of horse manure.
Having been heavily cultivated over the years, the soil in a newly acquired plot
will generally be very poor, manure will also break down over winter and help towards
improving the soil texture - making the digging in spring that bit easier.
Cover as much of the bare soil as possible with heavy plastic sheeting and leave
it alone until the spring, don't use old carpets, I made this mistake once;
a few months down the line you end up with weeds growing through
the carpet and a load of carpet fibres mixed in with the soil.
3. Beds & Paths
Everyone has different preferences to the layout of their plot,
Personally I go for long narrow beds where the centre of the bed can be
reached from either side.
This saves having to stand on the soil and compacting it, makes weeding easier and
life more pleasant on wet days as you're not standing in a load of mud.
I also ensure that there's a strip of grass all around the outside of the plot
conveniently just wider than the lawnmower, this has a number of benefits:
- You have access all the way round beds
- Paths or Short grass significantly reduce the numbers of slugs
as there's less hiding places for them,
the long grass on plot borders is a haven for the buggers.
- Creating a clear boundary also prevents roots from weeds creeping into the soil.
- When it's wet it's just far easier than trudging through soil
- I like the look of paths..........
Everyone has different preferences to the layout of their plot,
Personally I go for long narrow beds where the centre of the bed can be
reached from either side.
This saves having to stand on the soil and compacting it, makes weeding easier and
life more pleasant on wet days as you're not standing in a load of mud.
I also ensure that there's a strip of grass all around the outside of the plot
conveniently just wider than the lawnmower, this has a number of benefits:
- You have access all the way round beds
- Paths or Short grass significantly reduce the numbers of slugs
as there's less hiding places for them,
the long grass on plot borders is a haven for the buggers.
- Creating a clear boundary also prevents roots from weeds creeping into the soil.
- When it's wet it's just far easier than trudging through soil
- I like the look of paths..........
...... more to follow...........................
