[Njal]

After around 4 years of waiting list I have just been given an allotment!

Timing couldn't be worse, lol, I am out of work and desperatley need to find a job.
However, at least it's the right time of year.

The only problem is I'm not sure how to move from a 16m2 veg patch in the garden to what is probably 200m2!!

I guess I could do more of everything, and things that take up more space like potatos and courgettes.

Ideally I want to grow really useful stuff.
I have never managed to successfully grow carrots in our garden, not sure why - they usually grow to about 3cm in length then stop.

So,
any tips for a new allotment owner and what to do first?

Many thanks.

[DD.]

Congrats Njal!

Your first stop should be this page on thsi very site!

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles.php

[madcat]

Happened to my OH last year.  Got the allotment in the winter and his P45 in March.  Actually worked out great  ...  he had the time to get the allotment straight while he was out of work and when things were going badly on the job hunting front he went and worked out the frustration and anger and all the bad stuff on the allotment.  You can do a lot of energetic digging while cursing some idiot recruitment agent.   Gives time to think things through, gives you something positive at the end of every day that you can see and puts things into perspective too.  Probably saved his sanity; certainly saved a lot of marital friction!

Keeps you frugal too - you cant get carried away with fancy stuff for the lottie, but you have got the time and ingenuity to figure something out.

My big problem was he got it all growing and doing fine, then landed a full time job and the allotment on (full time home working) me!  :roll:

[Njal]

Ha, thanks for that.
I will check out that link and certainly take out some "someone else had more experience" frustration on the plot.
The moles better watch out if I am in a really bad mood  :twisted:

[Christine]

It'll do your budget good when you get the produce rolling off it. You'll be able to fill up the food plate on vegetables. Worked for me.

[peapod]

My first time growers tip
Grow what YOU LIKE!!

Ive grown BB (YUK!) simply because they are easy...they are still in my freezer now never to be used methinks, and I didnt grow enough of others..like sweetcorn for example. Also grow whats expensive in the shops that you like to eat..a bag of mixed salad for instance.

Paula

[Njal]

Thanks Paula.

Nice quote too - Montague H. Withnail, in one of my favourite films ever!

[peapod]

Thanks Paula.

Nice quote too - Montague H. Withnail, in one of my favourite films ever!

Thanks!

[Stevens706]

You will be surprised how quickly you use up the space, especially when you put in the permanent stuff like fruit, greenhouse etc

[Val H]

Ive grown BB (YUK!)
Paula

What is BB? I'm confused :?  :?.

[Jake]

I think its broad beans

but I love em

[Njal]

I assumed broad beans, but I could be wrong?

(I like broad beans anyway).

[mrs bouquet]

Ive grown BB (YUK!)
Paula

What is BB? I'm confused :?  :?.

Glad you asked Val, I couldn't work it out either! Mrs Bouquet

[Val H]

We both love Broad Beans, was just confused. Doesn't take much to confuse me!