Getting a new allotmet

I keep reading welcoming newbies. One thing I notice that there seems to be different starting times. My site is March. At the time I got it my thoughts where it should have been Nov/Dec to give a me chance to dig over and clean ready for spring.
Having put in spring greens this year I think I've changed my mind.
The point being --- what do people think is the ideal or optimum time in the year for a change over?

Mums right I think

On our site we decide in May as we think that if they havent been worked for the new growing season after initial March warning letter then thats that (there is an op to say if there are any problems - most dont give a reply or a phone call)
This means that plots are allocated in June - late but still enough opportunity to get a crop of something.

My site used to have April as the change over for new tenants, being the new financial year. They recently changed it to January, as there had been so many complaints from newbies that they couldn't get on top of a neglected plot as it was the perfect time of year for growing...........................weeds especially. Often by the time they cleared a bit and planted it the weeds had grown back. Now by starting in Jan they can get it cleared and plant thing to grow to eat which keeps up the motivation. It also seems that plots are staying in shape better now with less changing to newbies and peeps keeping them.

We have a system of three letters following on from committee inspections. We are always hopeful that changeovers can be done at this time of year so that people have the winter to prepare for the next growing season and we always hope that people was come in and say if they want to give up earlier rather than later in the rent paying months (January to March).

Seems to work quite well up here.