New Allotment - Really Excited - Could do with some advice though please.

Hi raq

Sounds OK so far dig the roots out, plant up usable beds and green manure .  Need to think how you are going to lay the plot out in the long term either deep beds about 4 foot wide  or the traditional dig the whole lot and make paths where needed each year.  No point in digging if you don't have to. Phalecia should work OK as a green manure now followed by something like winter tares in autumn.  I would keep preparing beds there is a lot of things you can overwinter Spring cabbage sown next month, Garlic and overwintered onions September October  remember the beds for these if prepped now can be used for salads till needed. Bought in seedling of Winter Cabbage and Brussel sprouts can be planted soon. It all depends how much time you have might be best to concentrate on say a quarter of the plot to get it in tip top condition now and work on another quarter for late autumn planting and just cover the other half with polythene (Black) till you can get to it as you do the winter digging.  Try and get some comfrey in a quiet corner and let it grow then you can use that in your compost as it developes.

And remember this is fun!! you don't have  to meet a target its a hobby do what you can and enjoy what you do.

Good luck post any questions you have and remember there is no such thing as a silly question We all started somewhere.

Thanks, i'm in South East London.

Where is the cheapest place to buy phalecia seeds from?

Do i just grow it until i want to plant in that area then mulch it down into the soil?

I have a friend that can get hold of lots of horse manure, so when thats rotted down i will work that through aswell.

Is it also best to start out all eeds in small pots before you plant them out?

Hello Rag,enjoy your plot,but do not do too much of one thing all at once. This will destroy your enjoyment. Do a little bit of this,that and the other to keep up interest. Get hold of some comfrey if you can and make sure you keep it under control by restricting root growth. Comfrey is a free high potash feed for many of your plants and it is highly effective. Happy gardening

What you are planning sounds great.  Planting some things in the area you have prepared is a great idea and having some crops this year will really boost your enjoyment of the place.

You also don't have to wait until next summer to start enjoying the space, you will be able to plant overwintering garlic, onions and broad beans in the autumn and before you know it the new year will be here and it will be time to sow lots of seeds.

Good luck with your plot!