[casper]

Hi, I got an allotment from my local council over a year ago. I spent a year tidying and weeding and did not get a chance to grow. It was in a very bad state and still needs a lot of work. The person before me just planted a lot of non-biodegradable stuff so lots of digging up rubbish. The soil must be fertile because the weeds never stop!! Anyway less waffle. I have no idea what to do and when. So its February. I visited the allotmen last week and  started to tidy up, but I dont know what I should do at home. I think I should be doing something with potatoes(chitting) but thats all I have learnt. Can anybody help me? Is there seeds I can pot at home and nurture. I just want to get something edible started. Any help appreciated. Cas

[DD.]

Welcome to the forums.

If you put your rough location into your profile, allowances can be made for variations in climate when giving out advice.

This is a good place to start:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/garden_month.php

[Chrysalis]

Hi and welcome.  There's a lot of stuff on this site - check out the articles on the site, buy John's book on growing Month by month ( )

I've found lots of help from folks, but it's wise to read what's already here!

[digalotty]

others on here will let you know when you should be doing thing , just by reading regular posts you will pick up loads of info and help
just put your potatoes in a cool place with plenty of natural light and watch then grow shoots,  takes about 6 weeks

[azubah]

Keep a diary of your successes and failures and then you will know what to do next year. I have one of those diaries which just give the months and dates, but no days, so that I can add to it each year.
I like to record the weather also, to give me an idea of when it might be warm enough to plant things.

[compostqueen]

There are also plenty of books in the library or you could take delivery of a magazine.  You've had a year to do your research so should be ready now to start in earnest    Good luck

[leeks r us]

Hi casper if you look on the homepage there is a month by month guide on what to do in the garden this might help you out,apart from that when you purchase your seeds there is a planting guide on the back of each packet. That should get you going dont worry to much just give it a go.

[Yorkie]

Hi casper if you look on the homepage there is a month by month guide on what to do in the garden this might help you out,apart from that when you purchase your seeds there is a planting guide on the back of each packet. That should get you going dont worry to much just give it a go.

True - DD linked to it in the first reply!

As for planting guides, bear in mind that they may need adjusting according to where you are in the country.  Please could you add your general location to your forum profile (just click your username) as it will assist. 

[japagow]

In between reading up on stuff which is important but boring ...

Required, one window sill, a few pots, some multi compost small bag and cheap seeds. One garden fork.

1)Take b. sprout seeds for instance. None of this has to be expensive. Try The Range or Wilkinsons or your supermarket.

2)Put the soil in the pots let it get warm ( don't microwave it,leave it to stand for a day or two)

3) Follow sowing instructions but depending on the weather you could sow them in the windowsill NOW.

4) While they're growing and if the weather allows you go and dig over a bit of the allotment. If most of it sticks to your boots don't bust a gut. Wait until it's finer.

5) Your fingers are already going green.

[TheSpartacat]

I suppose it depends on what veg you want to grow really. Have you made any kind of list of veg that you really like and would like to be growing?
From there, i would then read all you can on how to grow those, and you'll then be able to work out how much space each needs, what kind of support structures they each need (like beans for example) and draw up an allotment plan of what area to dedicate to each....
Then look at the sowing dates and build yourself a sowing calendar so you keep on top of what needs to be started when.

At this time of the year people are chitting their potatoes, sowing leeks and some brassicas under cover outdoors, and starting off chillis and aubergines in pots indoors if you think those might be on your list... though chillis and aubergines perform better in a greenhouse so would need to be moved to one later on, so if you don't have one, they might not be the best first time growing experience for you.
If i were to recommend a book that covers almost everything it would be Joy Larkcoms Grow your own Vegetables.

[compostqueen]

I love Joy's book and I never find it boring, but a really good read, and available from the library, is Joy L's Creative Veg Garden book which is a dreamers view of a lovely potager type veg plot.

[casper]

Wow thank you lots. I have taken DD advice and am proper familiarising myself with the site. I started chitting some potatoes and have got my tomato and pepper seeds ready. I would not have known to let my compost warm before planting seeds thanks x