Feb take-over of new plot

Hello all, what a great forum to find.

We are currently buying our first house which has a full size allotment plot and 10x8 greenhouse in the back garden.  I have always wanted to grow my own so this pretty much swung things for me!

The allotment plot was active and productive in the recent past but hasn't been used for the past 2 years due to the owners advancing age.  It has been covered in black plastic for this time.

Our estimated move-in date is mid-Feb.  Obviously I am itching to get started but am not sure of the best way to go about things moving in so close to spring.

I have ample access to well-rotted and fresh manure but am concerned about the aminopyralid (sp?) issue.  The obvious solution would seem to be to get in a heap, trial grow some veg in it this year and incorporate into the plot next winter if all seems ok.

I also (for my sins) keep and show guinea pigs.  These are bedded on hemp based litter and hay.  Again I am hoping to compost all of their waste along with very plentifull chicken manure from the hens.  Again, this won't be ready until next year.

So what would be the best way to prepare the soil?  If the weather is ameanable to digging then I hope to gradually get the plot dug over prior to starting to plant out april/june (we're in North Cumbria).  I am just really unsure what to do about adding manure/compost.

1. Add nothing this year and accept that results likely to be poor (but probably will be anyway as I learn the ropes) then homegrown/tested manure/compost next winter
2. Add well rotted manure feb/march and hope it is not contaminated stuff
3. Add small quantities of bought in manure/compost

What would you do?

Many thanks for your time and opinions,
Rachael

If it was productive until a couple of years ago then there you should be able to grow something. Perhaps trial a small area as a test with the manure you have available to see if it is ok and get on composting everything you can. You can always use chicken pellets etc to try to improve the rest.

I'd go with Peter - aim to put a good chunk of the plot to potatoes next year.  Why?  well, firstly they will help you get rid of the weeds lurking under the plastic with the digging and earthing up; they go in the ground in April (I'm assuming Cumbria is a bit later than us) which means you can get them chitting pretty much as soon as you arrive; they aren't particularly fussy about the ground (fertility, clay, whatever) while you work out what you have; don't take too much of your time - and don't under-estimate how much time other things in a new house will take!    :happy: and finally, your own new pots are divine!  Oh - and go for varieties that are slug resistant - they will have adored your black plastic for egg laying.

You can play on the rest with things like beans and courgettes and so on (given the quick test - you could even do that now, give you something to play with!) started in the new house and planted out after the frost in May.

I would definitely test the manure before using it. In the meantime, as someone else has said, sprinkle a few chicken manure pellets or blood/fish/bone before planting/sowing in spring. You can always buy in a couple of bags of manure/compost/soil improver to  put in your individual planting holes for courgettes etc. Then make as much compost as you can over the spring/summer, and hopefully you'll have all that plus your manure (if ok) to use in the autumn. Guinea pig bedding and chicken manure will be a great addition to your compost heap/bin. Good luck 

Welcome to the forum. 

I would go along with Stompy .  Rotovate it in March/April, and start planting .  If its not been worked on for a couple of years, then at least its had a "rest", and should be ok for planting anything .  You're not too late to start off sowing.  I start between Christmas and New Year by sowing my onions and leeks.  And then I just carry on with cabbages, tomatoes, spuds, beans, peas, etc, etc.  In fact, I've just put all my sowings in my calendar on the computer and set them all on reminders to pop up on Fridays, so that when I come home from work, and I log onto my computer I will get reminders to do the sowings that weekend.  Simple

Thanks everyone, I knew I could rely on you for some honest advice.

I think that I am starting to formulate a plan of attack.

-Rotovating the whole plot is I think a sensible tip, next winter I would want to double dig (or at least cheat double dig) so the only concern with using one would be spreading weeds.

-I was planning a 4 year rotation so could put half the plot over to potatoes without mucking that up... and we do love potatoes!

-The remainder I will experiment with other veg, a combination of sown at home and a few bought in as young plants with the addition of FBB.

-I will get a manure test on the go ASAP. If this comes back OK then I could presumably spread well-rotted manure on top as a mulch later in the season to add some goodness.

-Come next winter I can get the plot dug over and well manured and then work on building my raised beds.

Many thanks for your help
Rachael