Starting an allotment from scratch?

[gnipper 5,945]

I've just got an allotment and as I don't know what was grown on it previously other than a block of leeks can anyone recommend what to grow on it to get us started that won't be susceptible to any parasites or ailments left by previous crops?

 I was thinking corn, onions and probably more leeks to get us going?

[forest of dean redneck 11,183]

Potatoes help break the ground up,peas help put nitrates in, how overgrown is it? 

Mine was not to bad ,I dug it over and kept on top of the weeds ,didn’t manure it till second year. As didn’t want the weeds to go mad .

[gnipper 5,945]

It's not overgrown at all it's been in use up until recently but I just don't know what was grown there last year. There was a patch of straggly leeks left so I know what was there and another bit has a couple of mini celery plants.

[forest of dean redneck 11,183]

Ah well just grow what your like then,just remember to rotate crops don’t grow same stuff in same patch apart from the obvious stuff like fruit /rhubarb etc

[Bushhound 50]

Get some well rotted horse muck on there and double dig,then you can grow what you want then,double digging is for deep rooted veg patato , listen to what redneck said about crop rotation.personally I wouldn't bother with corn a waste of time,if we have a crap summer you will be late harvesting and I tell you now when the top is ready the bottom will be black once stripped.

[Arry 18,510]

I Love growing purple sprouting easy to grow but takes about a year to get from seed to harvest, if you use different types you can pick from December to March. If your going to grow Carrots or Parsnips don't dung that area or you will get fork root. Leeks area good they love some dung. Any brassicas I use plastic water pipe bent in hoops and cover with butterfly netting to stop cabbage whites also stop the wood pigeons. Just start your crop rotation next year it will be fine unless there is already a problem with the soil.

Cheers Arry

[ollieollie 766]

Don’t try and fill it all as the huge task can be off putting. Build it up year on year. Grow green manure in the spare spaces to improve soil

[jok 3,035]

 Get down there and watch and listen to the old boys. You'll soon find out they grow the most, the biggest and the best. Lol. Early potatoes need going in now but ridge them up as you set the rows or else that late frost will bite them. Broad beans should have been in by now but not too late. Peas can be soaked for 24 hours and they can then go in. Cabbage, Durham Early, if you have or can get some plants are ok. If you like your corn then get them soaking for a couple of days and then pot them up either in the greenhouse or certainly under a fleece. Towards the end of the month everything will get going, especially the weeds. Keep on top of them and you'll be ok. Also, as I've mentioned on here before now, soil conditioning is very important. If you have a micro brewery anywhere near you, try to get some used spent hops wit h which to dig in pre planting. Chicken muck (provided it is over a year old) is marvellous. As is soot which ideally be more than 2 years cold.(I did mean cold). As mentioned on here, both cow and horse muck is about as good as it gets. Over the years I have used it both as a general fertiliser but also surface dressed to prevent weed growth. This also makes weeds spindly and very easy to take out. This could go on for days but suffice to say, just enjoy your allotment. Get the kettle and bacon Sarnies going with a beer on a Sunday morning and let us all know come Harvest Festival time how you got on. Look out for Terry d on here as well. He knows a thing or two. Good luck. Jok.

[jok 3,035]

First pic was of a nice covering of spent Brewers hops which as said is a good soil conditioner. 3rd pic, as has been said, water pipe with scaffold net covering. The other pics are just bragging. Jok.

[j j m 6,479]

some nice pics there

[gnipper 5,945]

Just got back from planting a few bits down there. 

 Still a lot to do down there and I've got a lot to learn but we'll get there. 

[gnipper 5,945]

Me and the eldest brat just had an hour down there. I'l put the net on the frame in the week and grab a few more canes from work.

[Rabid 1,936]

Looking good, put something over the ends of the cane so they don't rip the net

[The one 8,395]

That looks nice soil no heavy clay or sand you should be fine for growing most things in there 

[gnipper 5,945]

It's quite sandy compared to most of our local soil which is peat moss but at least it's nice and soft to work with.