[tarvae]

Well, i just spoke to the chap from the council to go on the waiting list for a plot. He says there are about 8 people in front of me...but he's due to sort that particular list in the next couple of weeks and thinks there are about a dozen empty plots....looks like this might be a go!

Would it be reasonable to say I'm a bit scared at this point? Will it be too much? Will I have the time? Will it bankrupt me getting it set up?

Anticipating it hugely as well and looking forward to getting back to my roots.

Big question is, if I do get a plot this time of year, what can I actually do? Is it too late for most things? Especially if the plot is overgrown and needs prep work?

[arugula]

Hi and welcome.

I'll move your questions to the grow your own board for plenty of answers.

[DD.]

Welcome to the forums.

A good place to start is here:

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

and specifically on that page you'll find a link to clearing a new allotment:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/articles/Clearing_a_New_Allotment.php

It's not too late for anything yet. A lot of us are probably a month behind with a lot of things due to the cold weather. There's still plenty of time for most things, onion sets, spuds, peas etc. I won't go on and on - I could list just about every vegetable - as I said - it's far from too late for anything yet.

It's even too early for outdoor planting of a lot of things, such as sweetcorn, runner beans, courgettes etc., so don't panic, take your time, keep fingers crossed and be prepared to sow/plant as you clear.

[parsley]

Woohoo someone else who panicked at the prospect....I did it with parenthood too lol. If the site needs a lot of work clear a bit of it to plant this year and you can work on the rest as you go.

I waited for years on one waiting list and never heard anything, then managed to find a site who actually rings everyone each year to see if they still want one, it's surprising the amount of people who change their mind/move away etc. Hope you get one soon

[snow white]

I am only just starting to put things in the ground so you are not too late for growing things.  Just take it a day at a time.  I try not to think too much and just do that days jobs.  If I think of the things I have done over the last few months (newbie here too!) then I might not have got started.  And cost wise, it is always fun to get things as cheaply as possible or even free.  Just ask on here how to go about getting what you need.  Time wise, well I always end up spending more time than I intended, it is a bit addictive.  I only go home when I'm hungry, cold or have to.   But thats my choice.      As you haven't got one yet, get reading and sort out which plants you want to grow, (just put my pots in so you still have time yet) buy some seeds and start some off at home for planting out next month.  It is exciting and scary, but so satisfying.  Everytime I go to my plot I feel that I have acheived something worthwhile, (other than looking after children and other half.)

So go for it. 

[pdblake]

I got my plot in May last year and managed to grow plenty, despite it being derelict.