[loopylottie]

So I got my first allotment today.
I signed for it this morning and I was eager to get stuck in.

It has been left for a long time and was covered in grass and tall dry woody weeds. There was also a massive compost heap, well I say compost it was mostly plastic the OH pulled out a ten foot black hose and various other bits of junk including a double headed hoe (which saved me buying one)  and a china cat :blink:.

Its the worst on the whole site and was used as a bit of a dumping ground. we soon got all the wood together and started a fire which nice because it was freezing.

After a few hours we had demolished the so called compost bin, cleared away the old raspberry canes and the tatty frame work that went with it.
plus we found two rows of mixed onions growing away nicely in the scruff.   

But the hard work starts tomorrow when we start turning it all over with a fork.

LottieX

[Elcie]

Well done for making a brilliant start today.  Have fun, it is brilliant having an allotment.

[mashbintater]

Good luck on your new lottie, I'm just starting out on my new lottie too! 

[AlotArds]

Before and after pics would be nice - Good luck on the new lotty

[digalotty]

Before and after pics would be nice

i think its the law

[justviolet]

Good luck    Exciting isn't it! My first day yesterday too but you're further on than me as I took the kids to see it.

You mentioned raspberry canes. I have some too and about 4 fruit bushes that look healthy. How do you identify what they are and plan what to do with / to them when you're new to a plot?

[New shoot]

Take some piccies Justviolet and put them on here.  Close up shots of the wood would be good and someone will more than likely be able to ID them for you 

Well done to you and Loopylottie for getting your plots, but Digalotty is right - before and after pics are the law on here 

[Yorkie]

Free hose, hoe and ornamental cat - what more could you ask for 

Good luck with the clearing.  Just make sure that the ground isn't too soggy if you're going to be digging it - if it sticks to your boots, keep off or you run the risk of damaging the soil structure.

[scousemouse]

First time lottie! So exciting! I remember all the ideas and planning and dreams.  Wonderful.

After 3 years we now have a proper greenhouse, a pergola/gazebo thingy (which was meant to be a greenhouse, but never got finished), a fruitcage, and now we're completely reorganising everything and moving all the raised beds!

[JohnB47]

Although in some respects it's dissapointing to get a site that is so overgrown, there's something really satisfying about clearing out all that old stuff and getting down to soil level.

Also, you've got your site at a pretty good time of year - much better than, say, mid summer.

Good luck and don't overdo the digging. (and don't be too quick to throw away plants that are already there and that might give you a crop this year).

[Rangerkris]

Pictures we like pictures show us what your dealing with 

[Brummie]

It seems everyone is getting a new allotment this month (me included)! Unfortunately the ground has been too saturated to start any digging.

Good luck! 

[loopylottie]

Ive tried uploading a photo. it just stalls sorry about that. Ill try again later.

went to the lotty again today though and someone had stolen our china cat and a load of soil from our compost bin . the cheek of it. Only two days and weve got a thief on our plot. good job I hid that hoe.

LottieX

[Ma and Pa Snip]

Good luck Lottie, hope you have lots of fun and success.

Oh and dont worry about that cat, it was probably a tom and whoever nicked it will suffer the smell on his seed beds   

[JaK]

Good luck with your new lpot. Enjoy all your planning and seed buying too! Shame you have someone light fingered around, hope they don't make a return visit.