How to Rebuild Your Allotment in Bristol with Little Gardening Experience

Posts

• AnniD Posts: 12,585

  March 2023

  Until a forum member with the practical experience hopefully comes along, l found this which may help.
  
  https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-start-an-allotment/
  
  

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• Allotment Boy Posts: 6,774

  March 2023

  Start with a list of what you like to eat, and what you want to grow. Look at your site, see where the sun rises and sets, this will determine the positions of certain crops. Start by clearing a section,  don't try to tackle it all at once, little and often is the way.  Over many years I've seen too many people start with all guns blazing to then get injured or put off by the amount of work.  There is loads on line and in many books. , the RHS,  the national Allotment Society.  Too much to list in one reply. There is an Allotment thread on here,  we will try to answer specific questions. 

  AB Still learning
  
  

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• Joyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

  March 2023

  Make a list of family favourite fruit and veg. and another list of family hates, just to remind yourself of what not to buy as well as what to try and grow.
  Talk to other allotment holders. They will already know what the soil is like, what it needs and which fruit and veg. grow well locally. 
  As already suggested, start clearing your area in small sections, start a compost heap and possibly buy an incinerator if there lots of pernicious weeds. Check byelaws re bonfires, the other allotmenteers will help you with info. Find out the possibility of having a greenhouse/cold frame on the site. Very useful for sowing from seed and not starting crops off at home. What do the other tenants do? Do they do seed and plant swaps? Do they belong to a group who bulk buy compost, seed potatoes, etc? Allotment groups are often connected to a Horticultural Ass. or group with a shop somewhere. Much cheaper than buying individually. Think of dividing your plot up into sections with paths between for ease of access. The plot in the corner has raised beds, is this an essential or is the tenant older and not wanting too bend down so far any more? Where is the water stand pipe? Would it be useful to put a couple of water butts/old bath on site to save carrying water around? Start a 5 year diary of what you do and when, which varieties do well or not, etc. so you do not make the same mistake twice and to remind you of your successes. I can guarantee, you will forget!
  Good luck and enjoy.
  
  
  hungry6b18WNfB27AK said:

  Hi everyone,

  I recently acquired an allotment plot in Bristol, England, but I have little experience in gardening. I'm excited about the opportunity to grow my own fruits and vegetables, but I'm not sure where to start. I would appreciate any advice or tips on how to rebuild my allotment plot.

  Here a pic of the allotment.

  
  

  
  

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• sharanshrubs Posts: 74

  March 2023

  Hi, I enjoy watching 'Emma's Allotment Diaries' on YouTube:
  
  https://youtube.com/@emmasallotmentdiaries
  
  She has some great videos including:
  Advice for new allotment holders
  and
  How to plan your first allotment garden.
  
  Enjoy!

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