new allotment , brand new!

our village has just opened a brand new allotment and im lucky enough to bag a nice corner plot, its had some topsoil delivered and not a weed in sight!

I am planning on putting down a weed membrane across the whole plot while working out what to plant.

We are not allowed a fence around it and im worries the deer, rabbits (we are very rural) will have field day!

any advice on what to do and first steps appreciated!

 

What exactly do the rules state, no fencing, no permanent fencing (so erect some temporary crop protection and remove when the crops are finished, no perimeter fencing (so set it in a bit and grow stuff rabbits/deer wont eat between the fence and plot boundary, no fencing without permission (so get permission if rabbits/deer are causing a problem).

Other ways of getting around no fencing rules are to construct 'plant supports' such as vertical squash supports and pea structure below, fill gaps wth compost heap structures, rows of water barrels, 'chicken' wire covered cloches, etc., etc., and suddenly your plot can become enclosed, but not fenced.

A pea structure:



Vertical mesh squash/cucumber supports (around my courgette patch):

 

thanks!

the rule states "No fences around plots are allowed."

in terms of october planting this is my list:

asparagus (ready for 2 years hence!)
onion sets
savoy cabbage
garlic
and some assorted wild flower seeds down one border.

anything else you would suggest ?

 

If you want good crop yield year on year - have a look at crop rotation on google. If you follow this technique, you can see what types of crops should be planted in each year - to avoid exhausting the soil.

The problem I have come across broadcasting flower seeds directly to the soil (wild or not) - is that you can't tell the difference between the plants you want and the weed seedlings. This year I'm placing the flower seeds in separate coir pots and then planting directly into the soil when they are ready.

I'm also trying a new approach this year - planting hardy annuals now (Calendula in my case) so that they have enough time to put down roots before it gets too cold ready for the Spring. Monty was on about this approach on GW - but he's doing it with Sweet Peas.

 

would you recommend a good online supplier for seeds and plants ? or just hit amazon/ebay ?

thanks!

 

Premier Seeds Direct (huge packets for 99p!) Amazon sells their stuff but it costs more from them, although occasionally I've done that because Amazon had what I wanted when PSD were out of stock, and I got them the next day.

Simply Seed

Also check both of them out for garlic, onion sets and seed spuds


Not online, but Wilko stores are also good for cheap seeds, garlic and seed spuds, fertilizers, etc. especially when reduced to clear. Have a look through this thread (plus previous years - links to those in post #2) to get an idea of what bargains can be had Bargain - Wilko's Half Price Sale

I've always sown them in plug trays/small modules for planting out after they're bigger than weed seedlings

 

You can plant plant through weed membrane and many crops grow better planted through it and require less watering.


Have a look at links in this post Overgrown plot - how to get under control? or search forum for Mypex or Yuzet (don't bother with anything of less quality, especially the so called weed membrane that looks like black horticultural fleece as it disintegrates.

125g/m2 is best.

 

As Scrungee said above, you really can't go wrong with Premier Seeds Direct , I have bought direct and on Ebay. Great choice and price.