[Parsnip]

Yep, plot 70a is mine, all mine...

I've just been up to the site and paid my £5 membership and £7.00 for half a years rent for a half plot ( I can't believe how cheap it is).

It's a great set up actually I'm really pleased, they are in the process of finishing clearing my plot from brambles and then they will rotovate it for me too..it's a reclaimed plot that got overgrown.

They've got a little shop on the site and you can hire strimmers and the like, just paying for the petrol you use. A local farmer delivers manure for £ 15.00 a load.

I can't wait to get stuck in, I've started my list for santa already, I've got a fork and a spade, and wellie boots ,what else should I add to my list?

Shed
Hoe
Camping kettle

I've taken some photos I'll have them on a bit later..

[peapod]

Sounds great Parsnip!
I wish my site had a shop, we dont even have loos!
Very cheap too...
Looking foward to the pics  
Paula

[gimli]

awww loos mine allotments could really do with these.
yours sounds great
and a very good price

[Ygerna]

Fabulous News! Exciting isn't it? Have you got much work to do on it before you can get going?

Good luck!

[Parsnip]

I didn't  even think to ask about loos, but it's in the village that I live in, so I can nip home..

It will take a bit of prep I suspect even after it's rotovated, my dad used to have an allotment so I'll take him up to cast an eye over it, tell me what I need to do.

To be honest ,even if it had been covered in forest I'd have taken it.. :oops:    Just waiting for OH to come home so he can post the photo's for me - I'm hopeless at that sort of thing.

[richyrich7]

 Parsnip sounds great  

[Parsnip]

 Parsnip sounds great  

I'm going to take a trip to Wilko's next week, see what bargains I can pick up

[richyrich7]

 Parsnip sounds great  

I'm going to take a trip to Wilko's next week, see what bargains I can pick up

All spring flower bulbs are half price at the mo' plus other stuff

[Brian_of_Bozeat]

Great news Parsnip,

Cleared and rotovated too! You lucky thing, that should get you off to a flying start. I have lots of digging to do but at the moment it's far too wet here to get on the ground :-(

Anyway, bet your dad will advise you well but let me say It's not too late to get some Garlic and onion sets in - Broad Beans too if you want an early early crop.

best of luck to you.

[woodburner]

Congratulations Enjoy!

I'd add a bucket/big trug/barrow, a dibber or trowel and a ball of string/long tape measure to the list.

[janatherton]

Nice one Parsnip, Sounds like you've got nice little plot there - my first year too and mine plot doesnt even have water, but I see this as a challenge!!  I've planted in November; very early peas, two types of broad beans, 2 types of garlic, red and white onions, shallots, and my new rhubarb crowns have just gone in, expecting some raspberry canes and 2 gooseberry bushes any day now...

For your Christmas list if you havent got it you should put down a copy of John Harrisons book available on this site (www.allotment-garden.org/book/index.php). I read this from cover to cover and its one I keep dipping into to check things.  Its a bit like having your dad there.

Also get yourself on the seed supplier websites and start working out when things need to be planted, size, layout and harvesting.  You'll end up with a big list of plants and seeds you want.

I have a Christmas list that includes national garden gift vouchers so I can go shopping for my plants, seeds, tools and supplies after Christmas (www.thevouchergarden.co.uk) they can be used in many local independant garden centres as well as national chains.

Good luck with it

[Parsnip]

Thanks for all the good advice, tips and good wishes everyone, what a cracking bunch you are :thumleft:

[rhian13]

good luck with your new plot
I've just got a plot too.......after outgrowing my garden!! (I live in a terraced house and the whole front and back garden is a vegetable and herb patch)

I have been planning my crop rotation (and am wondering if I'll run out of space)....yes to garlic and onion sets, maybe think about seed potatoes for delivery in january?

As for tools - I'd love a scythe for Christmas

p.s. your site sounds wonderful

 

[peabody]

great parsnip, but do we really need loos and shops on an allotment site? :shock:

[Yorkie]

I wish we had a toilet on our site - if I'm there for more than a couple of hours, I have to load everything back in the car and go home, then return.  I don't have a shed or any cover on my plot to do the necessary  :oops:

As for a shop - our association shop sells compost, canes, fleece, seed spuds, fertilisers, lots more, and lots of free advice.  And a wheelbarrow to borrow to get the heavier things to the plot.  Also we have some hand tools such as a post rammer or scythe which can be borrowed by members.

Saves people money both by being competitively priced, and avoiding car journeys to the big warehouses for the basics.

It's not an Asda replacement type of shop  :roll: