[barbarella]

You are so lucky, having a half plot.  I only have a quarter plot and it is really intensively cultivated, believe me.   

You could look at putting a rhubarb crown or two in, in the next two months.  That's what I plan to do.  And some bare root autumn raspberries canes.  Do you like Jerusalem artichokes?  They can go in early Spring- http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/jerusalem-artichoke/index.php .  All these are perennials, so you could put them all up one end. 

I have joined our local horticultural society - it's such good value.  You get free entry to their Flower Show and Spring Show and you get amazingly good discounts on your seeds.  We get up to 40% discount from Suttons and Mr Fothergills seeds and 10% on sundries.

It's worth investing in a cold frame for your garden.  I have managed with one plus kitchen window sill for the last two years, but am now the proud owner of a greenhouse.  Warning - growing your own can take over your life

[johnfh]

Looks like you have plenty of advice to get you started sandrav.  One other bit I've learnt is that it is better anyway to stagger your planting so that you get a succession of maturing  veg rather than a glut that you feel very reluctant (heartbroken) to waste.  Even your friends can say "sorry my freezer is full sometimes!"

[Sandrav]

Thanks to everyone who has given ideas and suggestions.

I'm a bit frustrated as the weekend was a wash out and so not really been able to get on the plot.
Have been given some sleepers to use for my raised beds (anyone know of 4 muscle men and a lorry)?  :blink:

Will take my camera to the plot this weekend so you can see what  it looks like - apparently Old Geoff has dug alot of it. Really lucky to have such good fellow allotmenteers.
 As long as they leave something for me to do.
x

[ohsocute]

Hi Sandrav,
Got our strip from council totally free of charge.
Like you, we are total newbies. Land is covered in brambles, grass etc. basically got to start from scratch.
We are lucky as all our allotments are at the rear of our houses, only got to walk about 20 yds to get onto ours, couldn't ask for anything more convenient.
Council have told us that we are allowed to keep livestock on it if we want, thinking of a few pygmy goats, not sure yet, will have to see what we have spare after we have marked out.
We have a farmer who ploughs all the strips for us, but at the moment he can't do alot with ours as it hasn't been turned for several years and needs clearing first.
Got to start somewhere I suppose
Seems a nice friendly lot on here, so look out people, plenty of questions coming your way
Mick & Babs

[Sandrav]

Got on my plot on Saturday, am so lucky, the allotment fairy has been and dug over most of the plot. So after the tree stump had been moved and compost heap cleared, i was ready to plant.

Have some raspberries, onions and garlics now happily growing.

Can't wait to see them grow.

Hopefully the shed will be up soon and help me get more organised

[bigben]

Hi Sandrav - after seeing your post I decided to ring to see where I am on the list and was told I have moved from 9th to 4th. There are a couple of "jungles" that I think people are turning down so I might be offered one of those soon. I hope it is early enough so I can get something in for the spring. Enjoy yours!

[alfman]

 Congratulations Sandrav, All good advice before me but I would take Jonajo's advice. The best you can do to start off is to sit down with a pen and paper ( or computer) and write down what all the family's favourites are, (you'll be in bother if you don't) then plan out where to grow them,and when, and if you've got room. It'll probably save you a lot of bother later in the growing year.
(then if it fails, go to plan B)

[crh75]

Hi Sandrav,
Lots of good advice already mentioned.
One thing that hasn't been said is you tend to get alot of slugs in the compost and under the shed which go out on raiding parties at night and then are back in the compost or under the shed during the day. I would therefore recommend keeping the compost and shed to one end of the plot.  Also putting the hardy permanent plants between these and the other beds will help.

[Sandrav]

Well I have had the plot about a month now. On it for a few hours every weekend and still really loving it. I now have a shed so don't have to carry everything all the time which is a god send. I have made 3 raised beds out of old scaffold boards, well chuffed. One of my fellow allotmenteers has given me some strawberries so they are in one of the beds. Busy digging in manure and keeping the weeds down. Really lucky that the weather has been ok so doing alot more than i thought.

Keep giving me ideas and whats happening with your plots xx