New Allotment Question

[forest of dean redneck 11,535]

Mr T. Here we go again. First of all you are in the enviable position of choice. I personally go for the traditional way, meaning rows down the length of the allotment. Very easy to remember if you want crop rotation. The thing I hate above all else is gardeners who seem to want to grow more scaffold boards and 2 x 2 slabs. The ground is for for growing for your family and friends so why not just have a walkway between veg plots. I know it makes the job look nice by the way but slabs?? anyhow that's my only pet hate. Back to your allotment in general. You obviously are getting it cleared and are unable to grow much this year so my advice is to completely dig it over and then cover with a layer of cow muck. Wait till Spring, set out your areas for tatties, brassicas and then root crops. Have your first year learning and letting the allotment pay for itself and then decide whether or not to split into growing ares ie raised beds etc. Worked for me.

 

Completly understand where your coming from jok,there plots near me with more grass than veg and one with couple big ferns growing, I wanted a slab path so my toddler can understand he can race along that but stay off the beds, and not snap plants,it's not working so far,lol

[darbo 4,774]

my first year I planted in all directions made a right hash of it lol

now I just plant every thing across

Terry being serious some of the stuff you have grown over the last few years has been first class.

[jok 3,211]

To Terryd. Yep, The sense of the old timers kicks in. Not trying to be patronising in any way but why grow scaffold planks and slabs The ground is for growing and feeding the family and friends, I don't mind walking between rows collecting produce as all you have to do is pull a fork behind you once in a while.

My next door neighbour has grown more clover than veg and when I asked him to collect the raspberries over my garden he just grunted. I feed my family.

[Ossie n Arch 1,682]

From this.

 

 

......To this.

 

 

......To this.

 

 

 

 

Three plots. Two down each side, One across the top, with a "T" shaped path in the middle. Three year crop rotation.

[jok 3,211]

This is going to sound bad , big headed and believe me totally out of the park. BUT. Just been asked to the award ceremony for best allotment in North Warwickshire. I had best newcomer last year so all in all it's looking promising. HOWEVER. The deal is for the whole of our allotment including individual plots, management, tidiness, produce etc etc. We do have an amazing bunch of people who pull together over everything. In the end everyone gets the benefit and the local community , the older people and the harvest festival all look forward to our contribution.

[Ossie n Arch 1,682]

This is going to sound bad , big headed and believe me totally out of the park. BUT. Just been asked to the award ceremony for best allotment in North Warwickshire. I had best newcomer last year so all in all it's looking promising. HOWEVER. The deal is for the whole of our allotment including individual plots, management, tidiness, produce etc etc. We do have an amazing bunch of people who pull together over everything. In the end everyone gets the benefit and the local community , the older people and the harvest festival all look forward to our contribution.

 

 

 

Yeah, your right.............

:tongue2:

 

Where abouts is your plot ??

 

 

 

 

This is how mine looked like at the start of my first year.

 

[jok 3,211]

Warton Allotments Nr Atherstone Warks.

[Ossie n Arch 1,682]

Know them. Did some work at the farm close by a few years back.

[jok 3,211]

Swinnertons by any cnance

[jok 3,211]

That was a shit response. If you know the locale let me know and meet for a beer. we are all farmers round here in one form or another.

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

First things first thanks for the response and advice,I wanted the traditional way like my uncle use to do but the missus wanted growing plots that's why I asked on here,looking at the pics you guys know your stuff seriously,I think we will clear plot and gave a look at what we are dealing with but again guys thanks for advice and pics they was very hopeful....we are down there tomorrow tidying up so when it's done I'll get a few pics,thanks again lads?

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

 

 

my first year I planted in all directions made a right hash of it lol

now I just plant every thing across

Terry being serious some of the stuff you have grown over the last few years has been first class.

I second that had a look at some old posts and terry agree with darbo you have grown some good stuff,if mine turns out as good as yours I'll be happy?

[terryd 8,384]

Thanks folks pot luck and the law of averages I can assure you

[whatdog72 287]

Mr tea pot, I'm no expert but you get out what you put I and what works for one man might not work for the next

 

I've had that many people on my allotment tell me this and that you just have to look around and see who's growing descent stuff and try and listen to those people because you will find everyone's an expert

[MR TEA POT 1,287]

Whatdog is that your before and after photos?

if so looks impressive