[Sheneval]

Got my own half plot yesterday - out of the blue as I was expecting to wait till next year - a bit weedy but there are many worse - and it gets the sun most of the day - weather was terrible today but next few days look promising so think I'll take my sleeping bag and tent and settle in  

This pic was taken during our inspection before we completed acceptance documentation - hope it works as two previous attempts failed  

Have I still got time to put in some garlic?

[snowdrops]

Welcome to the wonderful world of allotments,nothing beats it.

[allotmentann]

Hello and congratulations on your new plot. It doesn't look bad at all. Yes, fine for garlic, I still have some left to plant but the weather has been too bad. If I can't do it over the next week I shall start it in pots

[Sheneval]

Thank you both for your responses    I have been fortunate in that I have been helping with my young grandson's plot/s since June and have a friend (see pic) on the allotment site who has been there since it started 4 years ago and is always willing to share his knowledge and expertise - nevertheless since June I have been reading extensively and finding that there are many opinions on how best to do things, so welcome all views on the subject as some methods will suit me better than others. For example I quite fancy operating a raised beds system whereas my friend prefers a mostly open plot.

Only problem I can see with raised beds is how to incorporate potato bed/s into the crop rotation - are potatoes suitable for raised beds? and if so does the traditional method of earthing up still apply?

[gavinjconway]

Hi and welcome... Your plot is clean compared to most that are handed to newbies.. !! Ask me I know all about a forest as a plot.. see my profile and find my link to my blog site... Just shows what can be done with some time and effort..

[Sheneval]

Gavin,  I agree - I feel quite lucky as there are a number of very overgrown plots on the site but some of these may have been let as I was 12th on the list  2 or 3 weeks ago.

I have already visited your blog and think you have done a super job - hope I can do likewise 

[gavinjconway]

Remember to have fun - it's not a chore!! ... and it cant all be done straight away. Just do something each time you go to the plot and soon it will be as you want it.

[surbie100]

I had my potatoes in a raised bed, and earthed up (too much, they looked Egyptian!) and had a fantastic crop of Charlottes, and a not bad one of Maris Pipers considering the weather.

Good luck - it's great to have friends with knowledge nearby.

[Sheneval]

Thanks guys - really appreciate the advice and info 

I like this site!

[pdblake]

That looks quite a tidy plot. The beds look nicely defined already. Most of it looks like it could just be turned over and covered.

Try to look on all but the perennial weeds as green manure

[Sheneval]

Only managed a couple of hours on site as my daughter had my car until youngest gson went to nursery - unfortunately hail stopped play 2 hours later  - soil was soft and easy to work   - worst weeds were the brambles  - any tips on how to eradicate?

see pics before and after:

[gavinjconway]

Looks like it's good friable soil.. Brambles.... Ermmm... dig out and weed killer when they come up again..

[Yorkie]

Great progress - again, digging is really the only way to eradicate brambles.

[snowdrops]

If that's what you did in 2 hours you'll soon be done it,you can pop round & do mine then hehe.

[gavinjconway]

And mine needs doing