Allotments for Beginners
In honour of National Allotments Week from 7th August – 13th August, this month we look at where to start if you have been allocated or are waiting for an allotment.
Clear, Clear & Clear Some More
Once you have been allocated your plot, it is best to start clearing it as soon as you can. In your head, you may have envisaged a lovely clear plot ready for planting but the reality is that many plots when changing hands have been left for several months or more so are full of weeds, overgrown and in some cases also full of junk that belongs in the tip. The best time to clear your plot is during autumn or winter when weeds are dormant which will then allow you to start fresh planting in spring.
Clear your plot one section at a time. Take no prisoners and spray with a strong weedkiller to rid your plot of any unsightly weeds, trees and shrubs. Check each area carefully first for wildlife such as hedgehogs and other small animals before spraying or using any tools such as strimmers so as not to injure them or worse. Dig the soil twice to remove any roots left in the soil. This will also provide the soil with some aeration and help with drainage.
Once you have cleared an area and dug it over, add some organic matter such as wormcastings or chicken manure and if not planting straight away, cover each area with plastic sheeting to prevent any weeds growing while you continue clearing the rest of the plot.
Make a Plan
As you turned the soil over, you will have got an idea of what soil type you have. This will help you to choose the best plants for the soil type and allow you to form a plan of action if you wish to modify the soil type so you can grow different types of plants.
If, for instance your soil is heavy clay based, adding gypsum can help break it down. If that isn’t successful, raised beds are often an alternative many gardeners choose, which they then fill with a mixture of topsoil, perlite, compost and horticultural sand. If your soil is too sandy and dry, this is less of a problem. Add lots of organic matter such as wormcastings or farmyard manure and vermiculte can help retain moisture.
You also need to consider the size of your plot, the sunlight conditions, what you would like to grow and their growing conditions, eventual size and watering needs. Think about how you will water your plants. A water butt or plastic barrel which is kept covered to prevent the water from stagnating might be an idea to save you running to and from the communal tap with a watering can.
Considering the size of your plot and drawing out a plan will really help you to visualise your eventual space. You don’t want to get half way through your planting and realise you haven’t got enough space for all of your vegetables to grow!
What to Grow?
As part of your plan, decide what to grow (and what will grow best with the space, sunlight and soil conditions you have available). Take the growing conditions and time of each plant into consideration so that you get the best return from your allotment. If you are thinking of growing fruit trees – bear in mind that you may not get fruit for the first few years.
Consider how much you can grow overall with the space you have. A mix of vertical plants such as runner beans and horizontal plants such as courgettes can work well together. Vegetables that are cheap and easy to grow but expensive in the supermarket include: beetroot, broad beans, Brussels sprouts, calabrese, celeriac, courgettes, french beans, herbs, leeks, lettuce, mange tout peas, mixed salad leaves, purple/white sprouting broccoli, radishes, runner beans, salad onions, shallots, spinach, turnips, soft fruit (all kinds) and rhubarb.
A note on weeds: Weeds are the bugbear of all gardeners but planting to help minimise the growth of weeds can be done. You will still need to regularly hoe and weed your plot but planting pumpkins, squash and potatoes in a weedy spot can help smother weeds. Onions can grow easily through weed control membrane but perennial crops such as asparagus, edible berries and rhubarb must be planted in areas that don’t have any weeds to thrive.
Make a Note of Harvesting Dates
If you aren’t planning to visit your plot daily (more on that shortly), then it is easy during the growing season for a plant to over ripen or bolt within a day or two. Fruits and vegetables are their tastiest within two or three days of their prime harvesting time so make a note of roughly when you expect a crop to be ready at the time of sowing so you can plan to check them more often around that time. Harvesting is never exact, but setting reminders or having a planner can go a long way to helping you to keep a closer eye on that particular fruit or vegetable.
How Often Should I Visit My Allotment?
Over autumn and winter, there is no need to go more than once a week to check for any damage or other issues. It will get you out of the house and into the fresh air too which is great for health and wellbeing.
In spring and summer, you should be looking to visit at least 3 or 4 times a week for 3 short visits and one long visit to water beds, weed areas that need it, plant your seeds or seedlings, harvest any ripe fruits or vegetables, and generally potter about your space!
Maintaining the Plot
Make sure you keep your plot tidy and as weed free as you can (most allotments have rules about not letting plots not get too overgrown or untidy) and if you get to know your neighbours you may pick up some advice.
Water your plants well and feed them often during the growing season with appropriate fertilisers. Check your plants regularly for pests as they can easily spread if not kept under control, using pest control methods when required.
Don’t be afraid to ask advice from some of the more experienced allotment owners if you need it – allotments are meant as a community activity. Finally – enjoy! Allotments can be hard work and time consuming but ultimately very rewarding if you have a little patience!
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