4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Emma&lewie]

Help Im not too sure what to do!!

I have been on my local allotment waiting list for nearly a year and tonight I had a phone call offering me half an allotment 10x 12 yards (that aparently needs a bit of work , all good fun!!)

however Im an allotment virgin and as a busy mum of two am worried about how much time allotments need. I dont want to take it on and struggle, and Im such a noivice worried about lack of knowledge.

whislt waiting for my allotment I have planned a veggi patch in the garden of which my DH was moving the girls to a walk through run this weekend to accomadate!!

 

really not sure whether to take it, my inital thought was yipppee! but dont want to take up space and not cope!

so basicaly how much time does having an allotment take up? I know my two boys (age 2 &4 would love to help!!) also come september my eldest starts ft school so will have a bit more time.... heres hoping!!

many thanks.

Emma

[Mrs Frugal]

At the moment, ours isn't taking up too much time. We take a trip over there one day each weekend for a couple of hours to do a spot of digging over and weeding and usually manage a bonfire as LSH is a pyromaniac. Once it's all dug over and everything is sown, it's just a case of keeping the weeds under control and if you do that regularly, it doesn't get out of control. Some seedlings need thining out but that doesn't take long. Picking things when they are ready can be done in the evening while it's still light in summer. Half an allotment should be manageable while you have little ones. That's what we started with. If you find you can't cope at the end of the year, you can give it up. I'd take it and see how you get on .

[Lesley]

Give it a go!!

 

We have an allotment sized plot (plus a bit )and as Kate says, keep on top of the weeds and see how it goes.

 

There are a couple of threads in this section about people's allotments which make interesting reading.

[Emma&lewie]

Oh why not its only £17 pounds a year, and will save my DH digging up the garden, would probably only get eaten by the chooks or dug up by my boys at home anyway!!lol

Another question, what equipment will I need to get started?

yeah Im getting an allotment!!

also I have stared to pot up some cabbage, leeks and potatoes, only seedlings at the moment but can any of them be transfered to my plot or are they best where they are at the moment!! (sorry if daft question new to all this!!)

[Mrs Frugal]

We're leaving our seedlings until they are a bit stronger as it's heartbreaking to plant things out only to discover they've been slugged when you next visit. If the plot is a mess, start work on clearing bits of it so that you have places to plant your seedlings out first then it's not such a chore as thinking you've got to clear the whole plot at once. You can plant out your potatoes now though if there is enough cleared space as they should be fine.

[Snowy]

Yay, go for it, my children love it (although it can be difficult persuading them not to run up and down the paths on everyone else's plots )

Give them their own patch to dig.

And always take a potty, baby wipes and carrier bags - you can guarentee that as soon as you start digging one of them will want a poo

We are progressing much slower than those who don't have children to help, but just go at your own pace, clear a bit at a time and it will all come together Good luck! xx

[Mrs Frugal]

Getting the children to help is good if they are a bit faddy over veggies like mine were as we could say "You grew those all by yourself so you really ought to eat them" .

[Emma&lewie]

well just come back from the allotments, and now officialy an alotment keeper!! yeah!!

so excited , mine wasnt too bad I was so lucky had the choice of three half plots , and although mine needs clearing was rotavated last year so really not too bad!

so just getting organised and off up there to start digging!!!!

 

thanks so much for all your advice and tips...especially the potty tip from snowy... hadnt thought of that, fantastic idea!!l

keep yuo all posted.

Emma.x

[Mrs Frugal]

Congratulations!!!

[Lesley]

I hope you've been taking the potty for your three boys Kate?

[Guest]

see, you're already talking about and making plans about when you're going to dig, you're going to love it!

[Abbey Road Girl]

Congratulations on your new allotment, Emma! If you can afford it, I'd consider putting in some raised beds. I've been struggling with my allotment for some time, but it's always been productive (even if short of 100%) because I planted some "permanent" things including currant bushes, raspberry canes, rhubarb, rosemary and sage, even a couple of rose bushes.

 

Last year my son set up four 1 metre x 1 metre raised beds for veggies and maybe some cactus dahlias.

 

Except for cut and come again lettuces, I haven't yet planted things out in three of the raised beds. The fourth bed is flourishing with strawberries planted last autumn. Took me about a half an hour to clear out the weeds and I got a great feeling of accomplishment having made one unit weed-free and ready to produce some perpetual strawbs!

 

Good luck--have a great time!

[chickencam]

We took our large plot (100ftx30ft) when our yougest was a year old and the other 2 were 3&6 my OH did most of the early digging because we got the plot in January, then we took the children down there once a week for the rest of the season.

 

We are now 10 years on old hands and although at time you can feel a bit overwhelmed it is worth it because the children eat more veg and fruit as a result, you all get loads of fresh air and excercise and feel safe in the knowledge that you know what you are eating.

 

We can grow all of our own potatoes, onions and carrots because the plot is large.

 

Just stick to those crops you know you will really enjoy and do small spaces at a time covering the rest with old carpets, big sheets of cardboard or black polythene.

 

It is well worth planting fruit bushes and strawberries because they will give you quick results as will things like salad leaves and radishes.

 

Good luck, there is always someone about on here with good advice on veg growing so go for it and just do what you can.

 

With veg you will always get good years for certain crops and bad years for others however experienced you are so don't get disheartened with the things that don't quite work just celebrate those that do.

 

All you will need at first is a fork/spade which ever you prefer to use and a hoe to nip those weeds in the bud. Also make sure that you buy some fertiliser of some kind and spread this evenly before you plant, it will make a world of difference to the quality of your crops.

 

It is also worth looking into what the water supply is like and if you have a shed of any kind rigging up some rainwater collection. You will get much better crops if you give them a good soaking once a week rather than a sprinkle every night.