First allotment. Questions before going for it...

So only this year I got my first house (with my gf) and we tried gardening for the first time really. Both of us are really enjoying it, but it's a terraced house with a narrow fairly small garden and is somewhat limited for space..

So I phoned the council to get put on our waiting list, which'll probably be at least 2 years... Which is the usual story I've heard many time. However, I decided to have a look around the area, as I knew of a 'private' one where my grandad (RIP) used to have a plot. So I popped down to that area and had a chat with a few people there who'd had their plots for 20 years+. And I got a lead about a plot on the area, all private ones, not council. I enquired and was offered a large overgrown plot for about £25/year. Which tbh, I think is great, I'm sure people would pay a lot more for an allotment than what is generally charged all over the country! Some effort and networking paid off. :gnthb:

I said I'd never done it before, and he suggested just trying to tackle a quarter or half of it first if needed. So I need to show my gf and see what she thinks of it.

So I know I want to do this, and have read plenty of articles/threads about how much hard work it is. Obviously, I'm assuming it's even more hard work to start with, clearing the plot and getting it ready. I'll try to pop down later and get a pic of it!

But it's overgrown, hedges need massively cutting back and the plot itself is overgrown, save for a few smallish patches where some carpet has been laid over it. The chap in the next lot was who tipped me off about it, and would love someone to have the plot, as it was getting very weedy and affecting his plot.

Question 1.
So, this is all very new to me, and I'm reading lots, but it can be overwhelming. Am I right in thinking there wouldn't be much I could get grown this year, and it would be about getting it ready and clearing it?

Question 2.
I have nothing like the equipment required yet. But I guess I could rent it. However, what are some of the main things I would need to buy to get started sorting it and establishing. As I'm trying to work out what I would need to spend this year money wise...

Question 3.
It isn't one which has a water supply, I realise that would be more convenient, but everyone else there seems to get by with many water butts. Does this make things a lot harder?

Question 4.
Is an allotment too big a step for someone who has yet to have a full season even growing tomatoes in his own back garden?

Anything else I ought to bear in mind as a newbie to this.

Many thanks for reading this far! lol

David

 

I too am new to allotments, I got mine in october and am really pleased with it, it was very overgrown but is now under control. So with my limited knowledge I shall do my best to answer your questions.
1. If you start by digging a few beds (dont try too much at once or the novelty will very soon wear off!) you can still get some veg in. Perhaps try buying some seedlings from garden centres as opposed to trying from seed this late!, I dug a bed at a time and planted it as I went along. If you try to dig the whole lot over in one go ready for next year you will constantly be weeding beds with nothing growing! a fruitless (literally, lol) exercise. You can also think towards getting winter veg in now too.

2. I did mine with just a fork, a hoe and a rake...all these can be bought fairly cheap. If you are thinking of renting a rotavator I've heard conflicting things, some say they are great because they are so fast, others say its a fools economy as you have to double dig next year (whatever that means!!!)

3. can't help as I have water!

4. ABSOLUTELY NOT! go for it, jump in with both feet....what have you got to lose (only 25 quid!), I'd recommend a lottie to anyone, nothing like learning on the job!

good luck with it, I'd love to see some photos :thumb:

 

Thanks for the encouragement, still think I might be slightly bonkers, but it's gotta be worth a go like you say!

Did you find you spent much getting the things you needed for starting a new to it?

I paced it out for size, and it's about 20 strides each way I'd say. I eyeballed it at between 15-18m's each way, so approx 250m2 maybe.

Here's a couple of pics: (Lots of work required!)

 

wow, you have got a lot to do but you are not bonkers (as far as I can tell!) its so rewarding
heres a link to mine if you are intereted
http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/my-little-lottie-t26677.html
Like I said, just do a bit at a time, instead of looking at the whole thing and being overwelmed, I looked at one section and thought....'it wont take long to clear that bit', then I moved onto the next bit!
I look forward to seeing the progress pics

 

Hi!
First things first, gardening is supposed to be fun, so do not got at it hell for leather, do a little bit at a time, then you will be able to come back each time, not dispirited!

Cut down all the weeds , trim your hedges "AND" then when it has withered a bit, burn the lot.

If you are realistic you will not be able to grow a lot this season, but get ready for next.

Decide how much area you want to cultivate, and dig it over with a spade, just throw the lumps forward, do not try to get the weeds out or break it down at this stage!
When the rain and sun have had a chance to help break the sods down, then is the time to start removing the weeds and roots using a digging fork!
A fork is not much use in the original digging over as you need to use a spade to chop through the weeds and roots!
Also the ground may be difficult to turn over as it may be dry, it will be easier in the autumn, after the rains.

It will be hard work, but do not be afraid to ask others on your allotments how to do things, ,(after a little while you will be an expert like the rest of us :gnthb: )

And you will need water butts, lots of them!

One crop you could try this season is early potatoes,you could plant them up to about the end of July, and count on about 12 weeks to harvest time, maybe not a great crop, but you never know unless you try! ( getting seed potatoes may be a problem).

anyway, good luck.

Cheers!
:flag::flag::flag:

 

i am just about to take over an overgrown area in my garden to grow veg. I have ordered some woven skip bags. i will pierce drainage holes in the bottom, fill them with compost and manure and grow things in them. will think of same way to do paths between them. this way the bags will suppress the weeds and i can get on with growing. As i get time i will move a bag and dig the soil to get rid of any remaining weeds. It will not look pretty, but will give me some quick results whilst working on the longer picture

 

Hockeynut,
What a great opportunity. Wonerful advice too. No need to break your back!
I've had aLLottments for many years, just keep nibbling away at it.
Good luck
John

 

Well, we're going to go for it! The plot is approx 18m x 22m.
A good area is covered in carpeting, so we can start there. :o)

However this is a bit more daunting, if we aren't mistaken this is horsetail/marestail? :(

Can anyone confirm?
Larger



Larger

 

What you need first is some help. Others with allotments near yours won't be particularly enamoured by the state of an uncared for plot so close to theirs.
Get talking to those who have plots around yours. Ask questions.
A good "ploy" is; "I need some technical/expert advice" ("see the chests swell with pride!") You'll get plenty, many relevant to the situation and you might even get some offers of help to clear it, which would be a good start, even if you don't cultivate it all in your first year.

I wish you well, at my age, I'll stick to Waitrose for our veg.

 

Yes its definately Mares tail and a pig to get rid of. We have it in our back garden but now that all has been dug over well its a fairly easy job to pull it up. I grab as low as I can on each piece and slowly carefully pull it up...and I get a good ammount of root out too, which stops it for a while/weakens it. We started doing this last year and this year..its much less prolific. Once you have your plot all dug over, use the adage I work with on Mares tail..."Never let it see a sunday"...it'll serve you well. Dont compost it either.

Steve...