[gobs]

Wheelbarrow, wellies, weatherproofs can be handy.

[Cynara]

Hi James (and Deb) and welcome too. When I joined a couple of weeks ago people were recommending joining your local Freecycle group if you are after the basics for setting up your plot. Turned out to be great advice. (you're guaranteed plenty of that here from these friendly folks   ) You might get gardening tools, pallets for the compost heap, paving, even a shed if you're lucky. Some local authorities sort through and have sales of reclaimed materials at their houshold waste sites. I found one in Cambridge that had all kinds of DIY stuff and lovely old garden implements for a pound each. I wish all Councils would do the same instead of just dumping it all together in a skip and threatening you with nasty stuff if you help yourself  :o

[splodger]

local auction rooms - that have general sales - is a good place to look for bits - bundles of tools (good and bad) go for a few quid only - buy them for the handles if nothing else

something to keep water in is always handy
hosepipe a must

i use an old oil drum for my fires

you'll soon find out that everything is useful down the lotty - you'll be collecting up string and odd bits of wire - canes and sticks for supports - you'll be skip diving for old bits of wood etc

you can never have enough  

welcome to the nuttiest group of people you'll ever want to chat to  

[shaun]

keep your eyes open for a old frame tent or gazebo frame,they make great fruit cages or a brassica cage,you might have to buy the net  

[Selkie]

i use an old oil drum for my fires

you'll soon find out that everything is useful down the lotty - you'll be collecting up string and odd bits of wire

totally agree splodger! one of my best beach combing finds last year was two rolls of soft white 'wool'; was used for fixing fishing nets apparently in the past, but it's EXCELLENT in the garden

[WG.]

one of my best beach combing finds last year was two rolls of soft white 'wool'

And very good for running repairs to over-sized G-strings too    

[Selkie]

stop it!!! it was a very nice style just several sizes too big

[gobs]

one of my best beach combing finds last year was two rolls of soft white 'wool'

And very good for running repairs to over-sized G-strings too    

You    

[mushroom]

Hi Guys,

first post here!

I am going to view potential allotment sites this weekend. From what I gather I have a few to choose from but they all need some work.

I was hoping I could get some advice on the most basic tools I should get. I'm assuming a spade, fork, hoe and rake. Are there any others I need?

Also where should I buy them from? I dont want to spend a fortune but I dont want something that will fall apart in a couple of months.

Any help is welcome! Thanks in advance!

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I keep a running total of what I spend on the allotment here.
Like you, I'm still a beginner, having got my allotment back in June.

The most important tools in my opinion are a spade, a garden fork, a trowel, a hand-fork and a dibber, and a hoe. Don't skimp on these, get the best, they will last a lifetime.

[brucesgirl]

A Thermos flask!!!

[paintedlady]

a wheel barrow or sack barrow is a must - particularly if you have to haul heavy bags of stuff the full length of a plot!

[Hampshire Hog]

Might be worth thinking about value of tools. I bought a spade and fork from B&Q for £10 so it wouldn't be a loss if they were taken from my shed. I managed to break the fork but B&Q gave me a new one as I had only had it a couple of months. You need a hoe too but many tools could be brought from home and taken back.
Enjoy your new plot!

Regards HH

PS Don't forget ball of string and sticks to run lines for sowing seeds etc.

[noshed]

I bought a cheap pair of safety boots rather than wellies. They are warmer and easier to get on and off. And they stop me chopping my toes off with my mattock.
A lump hammer is useful for driving in stakes.

[gobs]

Very true.

[gobs]

I keep a running total of what I spend on the allotment here.

Dear me, mushy, I'm glad I haven't done that, heart attack hazard. :shock:

No wheelbarrow then?