[potato head]

I've just got an allotment and I'm nearly 15 years old. It's quite daunting and I was just hoping for some words of wisdom or any useful tips I should know! 

[sunshineband]

Hi there potato head and welcome to the forum 

Congratulations on getting your first plot: you must be very excited.

The biggest tip I can give you is to settle down and read through Articles & Advice (Link in the green ribbon top left of page) as there is lots there about starting off with a new plot.

How large is your plot?

Have you inherited a shed?

[Fairy Plotmother]

Well done potato head. Make friends with your plot neighbours, read everything on here and have fun!

[potato head]

Thanks  I'm definitely excited!!!

It's 19m x 5m and I haven't inherited a shed but I have been given space to put one if I want!

[potato head]

Thank you!

[miggs]

Well done. Keep coming on here, read everything you can and have some fun while you do it. You will never stop learning and don't forget, there is no such thing as a daft question.

[potato head]

Thanks! 

[Snoop]

OK, so the shed question has been covered. Do you need to do lots of digging or is the plot already good to go? And what are you planning to grow?

And two tips. The gardeners' diaries section makes useful reading. You'll see what everyone else is up to and how they do it. Plus, take it slow and steady. You'll have a lot of fun and you'll be amazed what progress you make.

[sunshineband]

Thanks  I'm definitely excited!!!

It's 19m x 5m and I haven't inherited a shed but I have been given space to put one if I want!

That is a very good size for a first plot, and not too much to dig over and get going. It is not too late to plant potatoes, and lots you can start at home in modules if you have the space (Some families object to pots on the window sill for some treason--never understood that myself  ) like runner beans, peas etc so they will be ready to plant out when you have their spaces organised.

if you look on your local Freecycle or Gumtree you might find a shed for free too

[potato head]

OK, so the shed question has been covered. Do you need to do lots of digging or is the plot already good to go? And what are you planning to grow?

The whole thing needs digging but with some help I've dug over about half of it!
I've got sweet peas, peas, potatoes, onions, lettuce and sunflowers!

[potato head]

and lots you can start at home in modules if you have the space (Some families object to pots on the window sill for some treason--never understood that myself  ) like runner beans, peas etc so they will be ready to plant out when you have their spaces organised.

My parents have given me a bit in their greenhouse which I've started off my sweet peas in!

[Snoop]

Congratulations or getting half of it dug over. The whole thing sounds brilliant. If your parents don't grow sweetcorn, you will make yourself very popular at home by growing some. It's absolutely delicious. Now's a good time to start some off.

One thing not to grow a lot of: courgette plants! I love courgettes but the plants are surprisingly productive. You can soon end up with more than you know what to do with, especially if you miss one and it turns into a baseball bat masquerading as a vegetable.

Sweetpeas are lovely. Such a gorgeous scent and such pretty flowers.

[Baldy]

Well done PH -

What do you and your family like to eat? All very well growing stuff if no one want to eat it
If you have a bit of space in the greenhouse and you like sweetcorn then I'd suggest getting some of that growing. Its quite a striking plant to grow and the taste of freshly harvested SC is amazing. Mine rarely get to the kitchen - I just eat it raw on the allotment.
You could probably still grow some tomatoes from seed - and maybe pick up some plants from the garden centre.

Pip pip,
Balders

[potato head]

Unfortunately at the allotments if I grew sweet corn the badgers would attack!  Any other veg ideas welcome as the plot is quite big and other than what I already have I'm not sure what to grow!!

[Snoop]

Gosh, that's a shame.

What about winter squash? They have impressive flowers, grow like mad and all in all look quite dramatic. They make fantastic eating in the winter as well, if you've got somewhere dry and cool you can store them.