What is the very first thing you should do on a new allotment?

Often people ask when they get their new allotment “what should I do first, any tips?” as they are overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead of them, the huge list of jobs and want to get started but do it right. So we’ve put together a nifty guide to help you get started. This won’t cover everything, but where possible we’ll link to other blog posts to help you maneuver through our website to find out all the tips and tricks.

Inspect the site for potential hazards or obstacles, such as broken glass, abandoned structures, or unsafe trees. Remove any of these before proceeding with any work

It's essential to inspect your allotment before starting working on it to ensure that the site is free from potential hazards or obstacles. Here are some steps you can take when inspecting the site:

Walk around the allotment and look for any broken glass, rusted metal, sharp objects, or other hazardous materials that might pose a risk to you and others.

Check for any abandoned structures that might be unsafe, such as old sheds, greenhouses, or frames. Make sure to assess their stability and remove any that may collapse or fall.

Look up and assess the trees for any broken or dead branches that may fall over and cause harm. Ensure that any overgrown branches are trimmed or removed.

Examine the ground and soil for potential hazards such as hidden holes, broken or sharp sticks, or other obstacles that might cause injuries.

Determine the water source's location and ensure that it's reliable, clean, and suitable for watering plants.

The importance of inspecting the site for potential hazards or obstacles is to prevent accidents or injuries from happening. An allotment with broken glass, abandoned structures, and unsafe trees can pose a risk to anyone working on it.

By inspecting the site beforehand, you can identify and eliminate any potential dangers, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for you and others working on the allotment.

Assess the soil quality and nutrient content; determine if any soil improvements are necessary

Assessing the soil quality and nutrient content is an essential step in allotment management. It helps you determine the type of soil you have, the amount of organic matter, and the nutrients it has. This way, you can identify the type of crops that grow best in your soil and what changes need to be made for optimal growth. Nutrient-rich soil is essential for crop development and can help you save cost on fertilizer and other soil treatments.

To determine the nutrient content of your soil, you can take advantage of inexpensive techniques such as observation and soil texture analysis. An experienced gardener can tell the type of soil by observing its color, structure, and drainage. Soil texture analysis involves feeling the soil between your fingers to determine its texture. Sandy soils have a gritty feel, while clay soils are sticky and moldable. If a certain plant does well in specific conditions, consider planting a seed and monitoring its growth before starting a whole bed of crop. For example, tomatoes need nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, potash, calcium and magnesium along with others... Finding out whether you can give your tomatoes what they need before trying to grow a whole garden of them is important. If you want to find out about tomatoes and what ferlisers you can make for them head over to our how to tomatoes post, where we have all of this information written down for you.

It is also crucial to assess if any soil improvements are necessary on your allotment. This can be done through composting, adding organic matter, and adjusting the pH. By doing so, you will improve soil quality and help your crops to grow better. Some inexpensive tools that can be used for this purpose include compost bins and homemade fertilisers. Additionally, planting different crops each season helps maintain soil fertility and prevents soil-borne diseases.

If you think, borage and comfrey are great for drawing up nutrients from below the top layers of the soil, as they have large tap routes. Potatoes are great for breaking up soil for future planting. So planning ahead and using crops to help you out in the long run is a good tip!

Assessing soil quality and making the necessary improvements may be time-consuming, but it is beneficial in the long run as it ensures healthy and bountiful harvests.

If you have clay soil, come find out what to do here.

Create a plan for the garden's layout, taking into account factors such as sunlight, wind patterns, and foot traffic

Creating a plan for your garden's layout is crucial in order to ensure that your plants thrive and reach their full potential. One of the most important factors to consider when planning your garden is sunlight. You'll want to make sure that you're positioning your plants in areas where they'll receive the necessary amount of direct sunlight throughout the day.

Another important factor to consider is wind patterns. Plants are vulnerable to damage if they're exposed to high winds, so it's important to consider the direction and strength of the wind in your garden.

Finally, you'll also want to consider foot traffic in your allotment. You don't want to plant delicate or easily damaged plants in areas where people will be walking frequently. Additionally, you'll want to make the most of the space available to you, so consider using techniques like intercropping and companion planting to maximize what you can grow in your garden.

By taking these factors into account when creating your garden plan, you'll be setting yourself up for a successful and thriving garden.

Install paths and borders to create clear delineations and prevent foot traffic from damaging delicate garden beds

When starting a new allotment, it is crucial to install paths and borders to create clear delineations within the garden.

Not only do paths help you to navigate around the garden but they make it easier to maintain and improve your plot. Without paths, accidental trampling can occur, leading to damaged soil and vegetation. This can be particularly problematic during the early stages when the soil and plants are fragile.

Additionally, without clear borders, it can be difficult to distinguish between planted areas and pathways, leading to plants growing haphazardly and making it harder to properly care for them. Installing paths and borders from the outset allows for a more organized and structured plot, enabling you to dedicate certain areas to specific types of plants or produce.

Overall, having clear pathways and borders is an important step in creating a well-organised and productive garden.

Consider adding raised beds to the garden to allow for better drainage, less invasive weeds, and easier access to plants

Raised beds offer numerous advantages for those who have an allotment. First and foremost, raised beds provide excellent drainage, preventing waterlogging and root rot. This is especially important in areas with heavy rainfall or clay soils. Additionally, raised beds provide a controlled environment for plants, with optimal soil conditions and improved access to sunlight.

They are also beneficial for gardeners who experience difficulty with mobility, as they allow for easier access and gardening without the need to bend or kneel. Raised beds provide a method of crop rotation by allowing you to concentrate your crop in one area while planting something else in the rest of the garden. Another advantage of raised beds is that they allow for more intensive planting, which can lead to higher yields per square foot.

They also provide an easier method of weed control, as you can focus your efforts on a smaller area. Finally, raised beds have a neat and tidy appearance, which is essential for an allotment where space is limited, and aesthetically pleasing beds can bring delight to the eyes.

Set up a system for irrigation, such as drip hoses or spray sprinklers, if necessary.

Drip irrigation, water collection and plant watering methods are all extremely beneficial for an allotment gardener. They help to conserve water, reduce the amount of time and effort needed for watering, and ensure that plants receive the correct amount of water without wasting any. Drip irrigation is particularly effective for growing crops in raised beds or rows, as it delivers water directly to the plant roots without saturating the soil. This leads to less water loss due to evaporation or runoff, resulting in more efficient water usage.

Water collection is also essential for an allotment gardener, especially in areas where water is scarce or expensive. Collecting rainwater using a barrel or cistern is a simple and cost-effective way to ensure that plants receive adequate water, while also reducing your dependence on municipal water sources. Additionally, using plant watering methods such as a soaker hose or porous pipe can help to distribute water evenly throughout your garden at a low cost. Simply placing these hoses or pipes directly under the soil and covering them with mulch helps prevent water from evaporating before it reaches the plant roots.

To do all of this on a budget, you can use recycled or repurposed materials such as old buckets, containers, or barrels to collect water, and use a simple drip irrigation system made from PVC pipes or plastic bottles. You can also look for deals on soaker hoses and porous pipes online or buy them in bulk to save money. Additionally, you can reduce your water usage by choosing drought-tolerant plants that require less watering, and by adding mulch to your garden beds to retain moisture in the soil.

We have some great irrigation aids in our Gardening store, some have a look!

Create a compost heap, which will provide a steady supply of organic matter to enrich the soil

Having your own compost heap on an allotment comes with many benefits. Firstly, it is an affordable and eco-friendly way to enrich the soil and improve plant growth. Composting involves breaking down organic matter into a nutrient-rich substance, known as compost. This compost can be mixed with soil to enhance fertility and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. All the organic waste from your allotment can be turned into compost, including vegetable and fruit scraps, dead leaves, and plant trimmings.

Furthermore, composting also helps reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. By composting, you are diverting organic waste from the landfill, where it would decompose and produce methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment and surrounding ecosystems. By making your compost, you have control over what goes into it, ensuring that it is chemical-free and safe for your plants and the environment. Overall, having your own compost heap on an allotment promotes sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices while improving soil fertility and plant growth.

We have a special guide to help you with making your own compost!

Start planting, choosing varieties of vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees that are appropriate for the soil, light conditions, and climate of the garden

Take into consideration the local climate and environment: Before deciding on what plants to grow in your allotment, it's important to consider the local climate and environment. Certain plants thrive in certain climates, temperatures, and altitudes, so make sure to choose plants that can grow well in your area.

Assess the light conditions of your allotment: The amount of sunlight your allotment receives should be considered when selecting plants to grow. Cut down trees or other structures that shade your allotment too much. Choose plants that require full sun, partial sun, or shade based on the amount of sunlight your allotment receives.

Test the soil: Testing your soil is important when determining what plants to grow. The type of soil you have, the pH levels and other nutrients can all influence the growth potential of certain plants.

Consider crop rotation: Planning crop rotation helps avoid the buildup of pests and diseases in the soil. Plotting crop rotation involves mapping out what you will be planting in each bed in sequence over the course of the year.

Grow what you actually eat: Finally, while it may be tempting to grow a variety of plants to experiment with, make sure to grow what you actually eat. It's important to grow things that you will enjoy harvesting, cooking, and eating. Take stock of your diet and plan accordingly, adding in new types of vegetables or herbs if you're looking for a little variety.

Keep the garden tidy and free of weeds by regularly hoeing, raking, and mulching around plants.

Weeding in a no-dig allotment can be done in a few different ways, but the best approaches involve minimal disturbance to the soil ecosystem. The first method involves simply pulling weeds by hand, being careful to remove the roots as well. Another approach is using a hoe or cultivator to disturb the top layer of soil just enough to uproot the weeds, but not so much that it disrupts the soil structure or kills beneficial microorganisms. It's crucial to avoid digging or tilling the soil, as this can destroy soil structure, decrease water retention, and damage the complex network of underground microorganisms that help make organic gardening possible.

Weeding is essential in any garden or allotment, but it's especially important in a no-dig system because the lack of disturbance to the soil means that weed seeds aren't buried where they can't germinate. By removing weeds before they go to seed, you can prevent future infestations and ensure that your soil stays healthy and stable.

Additionally, weeding allows the plants you want to grow to have access to nutrients, water, and sunlight without competition from unwanted weeds. Overall, the best way to weed in a no-dig allotment is to use gentle, minimally invasive methods that preserve the soil's health and structure.

For all things Mulch, follow on with another good read!

Install trellises or structures for plants that need support, such as peas, beans, raspberries, or tomatoes

Once you’ve planned your allotment, and you know what you want to grow, where you want to grow each crop and the overall layout you can start building trellises or structures for plants that need it.

Trellises are an essential tool for allotment gardening. They provide support systems for climbing and sprawling plants, allowing them to grow vertically, which saves space and makes it easier to harvest. The benefits of trellises include increased crop production, improved air circulation, easier plant maintenance, and added beauty to the garden. Making trellises on a budget requires only a few materials, such as bamboo poles or straight tree branches, and twine or wire to bind them together.

The trellis design can be simple or complex, depending on the plants being grown and personal preferences. One cost-effective option is to create a teepee-style trellis using three or four poles, tied together at the top and splayed out at the base. Another option is to build a horizontal trellis using wire strung between posts or fences. With a little creativity and ingenuity, anyone can construct an attractive and functional trellis to enhance their allotment garden.

We have some great trellis aids in our Gardening store, some have a look!

Maintain good soil fertility by rotating crops, adding compost and organic matter, and do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides

Maintaining good soil fertility is an essential aspect of successful gardening on an allotment. By rotating crops, adding compost and organic matter, and avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you can ensure that your soil remains healthy and productive.

Crop rotation involves growing different crops in different areas of your plot each year to help prevent soil-borne diseases and pests from becoming established. This also has the added benefit of enriching the soil as different plant species have different nutrient requirements, and successive crops can help replenish soil nutrients.

Adding compost and organic matter to the soil is also important, as it helps improve soil structure and texture, aids in water retention, and provides essential plant nutrients. Organic matter can be added through the use of compost bins, manure, or green manure crops such as clover or rye.

Finally, avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is vital for maintaining the long-term health and productivity of your soil. Chemical fertilizers may provide a quick fix for soil nutrient deficiencies but can also lead to an imbalance in soil chemistry and decrease overall fertility. Similarly, pesticides can disrupt soil microorganisms, leading to soil degradation and reduced plant growth in the long run. By practicing natural and sustainable methods of soil maintenance, you can ensure a healthy productive garden for years to come.

Check our our blog post on Pests and weather, for more information about fertiser and pests!

Enjoy the labor of your efforts by harvesting fresh, healthy produce that you have grown yourself!

And most importantly, remember to enjoy your hard work!

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What is the very first thing you should do on a new allotment?