when and how do i start

robert1964 · « **on:** January 31, 2007, 08:38 »

hi all hope you can help me, i have just acquired an allotment
for the first time and dont know where to start or what to grow
first, would realy appreciate any information and advice from anyone
when do i start planting veg?etc
thanks

milkman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:18 »

Hallo and welcome Robert1964, congratulations on getting your plot - have a good root through this site - I'm sure you'll find lots of handy suggestions - John's information section will be a good starting point, and the month-by-month section will give you ideas on what to sow and plant when. It may also be worth visiting your local library for a few gardening books.

Zak the Rabbit · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:39 »

Hi, welcome to the madhouse,

the first things to grow are things you like - if you like carrots and spuds, then put them in. Dont try to dig over too much, just get a bit done for a few crops, better to have a small productive corner than dig the whole lot, do yer back in and have nothing to show for it. Start small.

I would say do peas, beans, carrots, tatties, beetroot, greens like lettuce etc, the sort of stuff thats easy to grow and good to eat,

and dont be afraid to ask on here about anything (and i mean anything

) were a friendly mob on here

milkman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:43 »

ps. if you want to grow potatoes - look out for seed potatoes in the shops now as now is the time to buy them - then you can set them up in egg trays to 'chit' in a cool, frost free but light place e.g. unheated spare room, ready for planting out March / April time.

milkman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:50 »

pps. many people new to allotment growing suffer from what is known as 'beginner's luck', so you are all set up to have a bumper harvest this year

muntjac · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2007, 10:02 »

welcome robert and yeh to what the others say . the thing to do here is to read , ask, listen and then add as your experiance grows ,we are all new even if we have been gardening for years so join in and enjoy

yummy · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2007, 10:14 »

Hi Robert

I'm new too. Only got my plot last weekend. Will be clearing it this weekend.

I didn't know what to plant first either so I am glad you asked.

Mysteryjimbo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2007, 10:47 »

Quote from: "yummy"

Hi Robert

I'm new too. Only got my plot last weekend. Will be clearing it this weekend.

I didn't know what to plant first either so I am glad you asked.

Must be a small plot!

I'm in the same boat. Had mine for 3 or 4 weeks. Knowledge is starting to come together into a plan now.

Research, research research

yummy · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:17 »

Quote from: "Mysteryjimbo"

Quote from: "yummy"
Hi Robert

I'm new too. Only got my plot last weekend. Will be clearing it this weekend.

I didn't know what to plant first either so I am glad you asked.

Must be a small plot!

Ha ha no it is massive. When I say clearing I mean getting the bits of rubbish off it (and inspecting the blown down shed to see if I can mend it or not.)

The removal of weeds and the digging etc will have to start the week after next (have it booked off work).

beansticks · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:32 »

HI ROBERT & WELCOME,ZAK is right.Grow what you eat,not eat what you grow.Beans and potatos are fairly straight forward.GOOD LUCK

Celtic Eagle · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2007, 12:52 »

Hi Rob

First year keep it simple like everyone says grow stuff you like don't worry about it looking perfect n being the biggest ever seen it's taste that matters !!!!! Remember this is fun Good Luck

urbanfarmer · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2007, 21:45 »

Hi robert1964

I got my plot last year, since I had time to use it after becoming a house husband. Although this is my first full season of growing end of last year I still managed to grow turnips, runner beans, beetroot, lettuce, courgettes, marrows & potatoes.I looked at other plots on my site to get an idea of what grew well and everyone there was so helpful. When I first saw my plot all I saw was a sea of overgrown weeds and grass (waist high), I introduced myself to a couple of people and one said lets see what you've got growing. I was amazed he showed me gooseberry bushes, raspberry bushes, and strawberries. He told me that the plot had not been worked for about two years. I cleared enough room to plant two rows of mixed lettuce which grew quickly and gave encouragement, then continued planting as I cleared. What with thinning out and weeding I didn't feel like I was working a chain gang as there was a variety of jobs to do. Hope this helps BUT MOST OF ALL ENJOY.

urbanfarmer

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when and how do i start

beansticks