[coo!]

i ve just got my lotty and i hear people talking of club root and other things. is there any tell tale signs that there is diseses in the ground while digging over or is it just a case of suck it and see when you start planting? mine is full of grass at mo oh an tulips! so unsure what has been in how long ago or whats been where?!

[DD.]

You can't tell just by looking at the soil, if no one can tell you what the previous problems were, (if any), it's going to be down to bitter experience, unless you want to pay a packet for someone to analyse the soil.

Have a look at the cauliflower thread for my answer to your club root question.

[coo!]

yep just looked! mmmmm its just a case of grow first lot and see what happens suppose and go from there. cheers for help., nice 1!

[Aunt Sally]

I'd advise you to talk to other allotment holders on your site and see what they suffer with and what preventive methods they use.  You'll find a wealth of knowledgeable people there just waiting for a chance to give you some advice. 

Try offering a cuppa from your flask as an easy way to start talking