[Tamaramma]

Hi all my names Jodie an am 31, i have just got my new allotment, an since its begining of June i was wondering what is the best thing to do with my plot this time of the season.....ie what would be best to sow an priorities of sorting out the plot etc....any advice would be greatly welcome.....Thank You xxx

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site

I'll move your thread over to the Grow Your Own board as you're asking questions about that 

Also, if you click on the Growing Help near the top of the screen that will take you to a whole load of information such as monthly guides, sowing / harvesting guides, clearing a plot & planning a plot

[Irene]

Welcome and congratulations!

Can you provide more information. What condition is your allotment in? Ready for plants? Beds prepared or are you going to be doing a lot of clearing?

A rather wonderful adventure.

[Tamaramma]

Hi, there are no beds yet an the soil has ben plowed by some of the men a few plots down, but i think i would prefer to go over it myself to make sure everything ie weeds are removed, i am hopeing to do that next week when i offically get given the keys. i will then preper a few beds to start off ....Hopefully !!....am totally clueless, but think am up for the challange. What would you suggest i do once i have done the above....many thanks for the reply  x

[Irene]

Of course you're up for the challenge.

My first piece of advice, and the most valuable piece of advice anyone will give you, is to stay connected with this site. It truly is a veritable cornucopia of information and no question is considered beneath the community. "They" truly are as kind and pleasant as they appear and each individual here will want you to stay enthused and succeed.

I'm an American ex-pat here in Cumbria. A competent gardener in the States but this site, in the few months I've joined, has expanded my knowledge and approach to what my garden should be doing, and what I should be doing for my garden, far beyond anything I expected.

It may help you to start a diary in the Members' Diary section.

There are many things you can start with for instant gratification once you have space prepared...and then you plant for those later rewards. Do some searching of the site for threads on new allotment owners', lots of advice, and if you want some personal suggestions don't hesitate to pm me.

Wonderful to "meet you" and please keep us posted on your progress.

[Loubs]

First thing to do is to make a plan to layout your beds.

You might need to think about covering over the parts that you think you won't get around to planting yet - as it's been rotivated, lots of weed seeds laying dormant in the soil will have come to the surface & will start germinating - you need to plan for and make time each time you visit the site to deal with these, as well as your sowings.

Then I would get sowing. If you mark out the layout of your beds, then as you say, you can dig them over as you go.

Lots & lots that you can still start sowing now that you will eat this year - courgettes, summer squashes, peas, beans, lettuces, radish, spinach, beetroot. But also thinking ahead, and sowing now crops that will crop next year, i.e. purple sprouting broccoli (yum).

[Tamaramma]

Thanx for your replies, i wish i had the keys to allotment now so i can get stuck in! what method is best for growin veg...ie sectioned off beds or traditional rows ? I think i prefer sectioned beds, but what size should the beds roughly be ? Also....seeds ! Does it make a difference where you get seeds from ? I picked up 3 packs of seeds for £1 from poundstretcher , carrots, cauli and beetroot...these seem to cheep to be any good ? Where do you get your seeds from ? x

[PlymouthMaid]

If you have space, start a few things off in pots to get you going you will be able to get growing then as soon as you have the keys. I would suggest courgettes, peas, beans and squash if you like them. Good luck and enjoy.

[Yabba]

what method is best for growin veg...ie sectioned off beds or traditional rows ? I think i prefer sectioned beds, but what size should the beds roughly be ?

You'll probably get the most veg out of your plot by making it look/work the way you want it to If you're comfortable with your space then you'll use it.

For now just make it comfortable and then move on to "productive" ( note : I'm still in the between stage, I panic just to fill it .... one day I'll be productive though ... although The Mighty V (my OH) says it with less emphasis than me )

¥

[Yorkie]

Cheap seeds will be absolutely fine 

Sometimes raised beds are the best option - if you have little topsoil or drainage difficulties for example.  They also mean you are less likely to walk on and compact the soil.

However if you decide to go down the edged beds route (rather than just heap some soil from paths onto the bed areas) then they can take time, effort & potentially money to put together.  They do look nice but are less versatile if you want to expand / change bed location.