[greenfingers36]

Hi

Today i have been offered by first allotment after 2 years of waiting i am new to growing especially on this scale and have had limited success over the last few years at home and would like some advice on how to get a good soil condition for growing and what would be a good starting point

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new lotty 

This page on the main website has lots of useful articles for you to browse through. 

I wouldn't assume that you will have poor soil structure but addition of well rotted manure is always a good thing. 

If the soil sticks to your boots, keep off it as you will damage the soil structure.  Otherwise, get as much of the plot cleared as you can or you may run out of time before the weeds start growing in the spring.

Good luck!

[janet12000]

Clear it.
Then dig. And then dig some more.
It worked for my allotment  
Welcome to the forum!

[ecky]

Welcome to the forum. I agree with Janet . This is a brilliant site with lots of friendly and informative help.

[A. Fallowfield]

Clear it.
Then dig. And then dig some more.
It worked for my allotment  
Welcome to the forum!

Best advice you can get!

[potatogrower]

Welcome mate.

Get the soil tested for its structure, sandy, clay, or just right. if you want to improve the structure then its manure all the way  :happy:.

think a simple test i have come across is dig some 6 or 7 inches down, add the soil at that depth into a glass of water, give it a good stir and wait for it to settle. if all the soil settles at the bottom then its clay like, if there is a layer of sand on top of the clay then soil maybe sandy but good - so need to add manure. if there is muck or debris (humus - hope i spelt it right) at the top of the water as well as soil at the bottom then soil is perfect. basically a good mixture of clay, sand and humus is good. humus adds nutrients, sand helps break up the soil if its too clay like and clay helpes retain the nutrients and not let them drain away into the ground.

if the soil is clay then add some sand with the manure and once spring comes rotivate it all in, provided you have got rid of the weeds first before laying down any manure.

if you have a small plot then you can get those cheap compost bags 3 for £10 and add that otherwise stick with decayed manure.

Have fun!!

[Craig69]

Once you have cleared your plot from weeds etc, just keep putting the hoe over it.
It really does keep the weeds down making working it much easier.
My 2nd half plot wasn't worked for about 4 yrs & took ages to clear - putting the hoe over it every other week has kept it looking nice & easier to work

[Totty]

Hi,

Cover everything as thickly as possible with well rotted manure. Leave it a month or two before working it in when weather permits.

If you wish to grow carrots or parsnips, avoid putting manure where they are to grow. My tip is to dig a trench and fill it with a mixture of spent,or new compost, mixed 50/50 with molehill soil if available and grow these root veg in the trenches for the first year.

Happy days

[Gleavo]

Great stuff. Took over mine in Sept. Labour of love as I am finding out. Labour being the operative word!