Starting from Scratch

Clearing a new plot, first tools to buy, planning beds, dealing with weeds and common mistakes to avoid.

My first plot, was a disaster. It was too big, too inaccessible and the whole place had a generally lonely feel to it. I took it on in 2021 and I was so disheartened by the whole experience that I almost gave up on allotments. I tried so many ways to fall back in love with it but eventually, I decided that I was never going to succeed at this site. I made the difficult decision, to give it up. I popped my name on a waiting list for another site and I waited...and waited...and waited some more.

Then one gloriously sunny August day, just before I left for our annual summer holiday, I learned that a plot had become available and I was invited to see it. Well i've never pulled my wellies on faster let me tell you!

It was a half plot...tick, one gate to go through and easily accessible...tick, and the site was full of existing friends and what I could tell after 20 minutes of being there, many new ones to come. I took it! LESSON NUMBER ONE...make sure you know what you're taking on...and that it's right for YOU!

Two weeks in Spain with the family were spent pen and paper in hand, sketching multiple iterations of 'the dream plot'. I ordered every seed catalogue going so they would be waiting for me when I got home and frankly I couldn't wait to get back to the UK and get going!

The day after I arrived home, I gathered up my fork and spade and my little basket of tools ( and coffee), and set to work.

FIRST THINGS FIRST...WEED CONTROL.

DRaw it out

make plans

physically map it out

weed control