If you are a beginner gardener looking for advice on how to start an allotment, then this article is just for you! We will discuss the basics of starting your allotment and provide some tips that will help you get started, from what vegetables (and indeed flowers) grow well in small spaces to how much work it takes. So sit back and read our beginners guide on how to start an allotment below!
Table of Contents
- What is an allotment?
- How big is an allotment?
- Who owns allotment land?
- How much does an allotment cost to rent?
- Can you buy an allotment plot to keep?
- Can you live on an allotment?
- How do you plan an allotment in scratch?
- How do you clear an allotment fast?
- How do you maximise allotment space?
- What tools do I need for my allotment?
- How deep should I dig my allotment?
- What should I grow in my first allotment?
- How often should you visit your allotment?
- Weed control
What is an allotment?
An allotment is an area of land typically rented either from a local authority or a private owner. This land is used for growing vegetables, fruit and other plants.
Dating back to the Anglo-Saxon era, allotments were originally established in England as part of a social reform movement. They provided an opportunity for poor people to grow their food with limited resources.
How big is an allotment?
The size of an allotment varies, however, most are large plot of land which is then split down into smaller sections that different people nurture.
Who owns allotment land?
The local authority usually owns allotment land; however, some private landowners also offer allotments too.
How much does an allotment cost to rent?
Renting an allotment can often be funded in one-month periods, usually with a contract period (e.g. 12 months), while some plots may need to be paid in advance for the rental period.
The rate is dependent on the size and can also be impacted by the potential additional benefits that customers may receive, such as fertiliser, power and other resources.
Can you buy an allotment plot to keep?
An allotment is usually rented; however, some can be bought. That said, plot acquisition is generally considered by the most committed allotment goers who are perhaps interested in having more control over their plot.
Given the high demand and low availability of allotment space, most local authorities only rent out plots rather than sell them. Periodically, this gives more people a chance to try their hand at nurturing a plot.
Can you live on an allotment?
The sole purpose is for gardening, not a place to live, so officially speaking, no, you cannot live on an allotment.
The local authorities can’t permit you to live there; however, there are some stories where it has (allegedly) been overlooked.
How do you plan an allotment from scratch?
The most common way to plan an allotment is with a grid.
Most people will have six rows and twelve columns, resulting in sixty-four squares of land where crops can be planted.
With this kind of planning, you must make sure each square has enough space for the plants or vegetables you will grow to get trampled on by other plants when they become bigger.
Not planning your plot effectively could cause problems as there may not be enough room for variations among different crops.
With planning your plot, it’s also essential to consider crop rotation through the seasons, year to year. This will ensure that one crop doesn’t suffer from a lack of nutrients in the soil while another thrives.
This would happen if you planted a row of tomatoes, for instance, and then followed it with rows of lettuce; since they consume differing amounts of nitrogen at different rates, their rotation may mean one will thrive where the other suffers.
Planning your planting well could also help cut down on pests as most prefer certain plants over others, so by rotating crops through adjacent spaces during successive seasons or years, you are less likely to encounter problems.
So plan ahead when starting your allotment! What kind? You’ll find out soon enough…
How do you clear an allotment fast?
When you have your plot, it’s worth getting it cleared before you plant anything – this will make sure that your plot is suitable for planting.
One of the most time-saving ways to clear an allotment is by using a heavy-duty brush cutter; these are powerful, but they can be noisy, so if you’re working in close proximity or a small area, then it’s best to use something quieter like hand tools such as rakes and scythes.
Some methods may work better than others for larger areas, depending on what type of ground cover is present. For example, mowing machines can be used where grass has been left uncut for years, while rotary cutters might suit woodland with lots of brambles etc…
How do you maximise allotment space?
Maximising your plot means that you have the most space for growing your crops, which is key to making your allotment as productive and enjoyable as possible.
To do this, you need:
– To start with a tidy plot so that it’s easier to work in; ideally, there should be no long grass or weeds left on the ground
– A good idea of where crops are going before they’re planted (this will depend on what type of crop and how much space)
– Access to water if necessary – many vegetables require watering at least once per day during summer months when grown outside. If you don’t have access, then consider putting up a drip system or using containers instead.
Considerations about soil quality also come into play here too – most vegetable varieties want deep soil to develop sturdy roots.
– Compost, which is key to making your allotment as productive and enjoyable as possible. It provides nutrients for the soil and has a terrific side effect of reducing weeds! Adding compost also means that you don’t usually need chemical pest control on vegetables because organic matter deters pests like slugs or wireworms from attacking plants. If you’re going with containers, then remember that this compost will need more frequent watering than if it was applied in the ground – so make sure you’ve got access to water, too, before putting down pots indoors.
You’ll need to conduct some research into what’s best suited for your plot size (some crops take up less space than others) and carefully plan what you have the time and energy for.
The final point concerns what kind of crop you want: make sure that they’re appropriate, taking some time to consider how much work it will be compared to other vegetables or fruits. – If a small area has been allocated to potatoes, then don’t grow raspberries there!
A few good choices are broad beans, which can provide lots of food on a relatively small patch, and runner beans which grow fast but should only be planted once per season because their root systems deplete the soil.
What tools do I need for my allotment?
Having the right tools can have a significant impact on how well your plot thrives. This doesn’t mean you need clever gadgets or an abundance of different tools for different tasks. Having the right tools can mean the difference between a job that takes less than an hour and one which may take much longer.
Tools for digging: Spade (a sharp, heavy tool with a square blade) or garden fork;
Tools for sowing / planting: Seed tray, potting composts, seeds of choice;
Tools for making beds: Spade or shovel to shape bed and remove weeds before planting. A rake can be used afterwards to level soil surface if needed;
Tools for watering: a bucket and / or water butt;
Tools for weeding and hoeing (hoe): spade, rake, hoe – depending on the scale of your work.
How deep should I dig my allotment?
If you’re gardening on clay soil, you’ll need to dig much deeper than if the land is already loose and sandy. The best way to find out how deep your allotment needs to be dug is by checking with a local expert or asking at your nearest garden centre for advice about the local soil.
What should I grow in my first allotment?
As a beginner, it’s worth trying vegetables that are easy to grow and will be ripe in the first year. Carrots, lettuce, peas, beans and potatoes are considered some of the easiest crops to start with.
– Carrots: These root vegetables are easy to grow but need a lot more space than other plants. The ideal time to plant carrots is from November onwards before the soil freezes over and it becomes too hard for them to germinate.
– Lettuce: As these are quick growing crops that like cool weather, they’re perfect for an early start on winter gardens when there’s less chance of frost damage during December or January – which is crucial if you want a full harvest come springtime! This leafy green crop prefers to grow in light soils with plenty of organic material such as manure or compost added prior to planting time (which means it won’t work well in the typical allotment soil).
– Peas: These are another quick crop that prefers to grow in a cool environment. Plant peas from January onwards and sow them every two weeks for a continuous supply of these tasty vegetables!
– Beans: These are long-term crops that will take up more space in your allotment, as they are best grown with other plants such as peas or corn. Beans like to grow in soil rich in organic matter and prefer warmer temperatures than most vegetables do – beans would ideally be planted from early spring onwards.
– Potatoes: These are easy to plant but need relatively high levels of soil moisture, so they’re not always ideal for allotment gardens – unless you’ve got the time and patience to hoe over potatoes after each rainfall or irrigation session. You can also grow potatoes in large pots, maximising the harvest potential on your plot with other crops.
How often should you visit your allotment?
More is better; however, the level of attention required is dictated by what kind of crops you’re growing. Some vegetables or flowers are higher maintenance than others.
A great rule of thumb is to plant fewer plants in a single row than you think should be there, and then periodically check for weeds that need to be pulled or pests that have crept up on your plot – the allotment equivalent of going through all your closets at home every few months.
Weed control
Avoid walking in rows where possible to minimise disturbance to roots when cultivating weeds out with a fork. This is known as “stacking”. Always use sharp tools to penetrate deep enough into the soil surface to do their job correctly.
The key benefits from nurturing an allotment go further than growing crops. The act of gardening in itself is very therapeutic. It’s been found to lower cortisol levels, reduce stress and anxiety, and provide increased energy.
You may benefit significantly from the peaceful mind space of nurturing a plot, or you can also buddy up with friends and family as a collaboration project.
Growing your crops can help anyone become more aware of their food sources and how they are grown or prepared for consumption, which many people still need reminding about these days. There’s a lot of work that goes into harvesting crops, rather than just grabbing a bag of salad from the supermarket!
So, find a plot suitable for cultivation, clear the land, collect tools and get cracking!
