A Beginner’s Guide to Starting and Maintaining your Allotment

Keen to embrace the allotment lifestyle? Gardening has long been associated with helping us unwind, so it’s no wonder that they’re in in high demand in the UK. Having good knowledge of growing vegetables and other reproduce is a great starting point, however, owning an allotment means you’ll need to be strategic.

Choosing the right tools and equipment

Here are some examples of the equipment you’ll need to set up and maintain your allotment:

• Border spade: These are smaller in size and sharper, which allows access into tighter areas so you can keep edges neat.
• Border fork: A more compact version of a digging fork, these are perfect for lighter gardening tasks such as weeding.
• Rake: These are used to prepare seed beds by smoothing out a surface that’s suitable for planting seeds. They’re also used to help separate clumps in the ground.
• Trowel: You can use this tool to access weeds with long roots as the blade is sharp enough to dig deep into the ground. Its narrow shape means you can do this near other plants without causing disruption.
• Rotavator: These allow you to break up the soil with the help of rotating tines. This way, you can weed efficiently and prepare the ground for planting or sowing.
• Cultivator: These work similarly to rotavators but are best used across smaller patches.
• Wheelbarrow: This can be used to collect waste or transport items from place to place.
• Watering can: Keep plants well-watered with a robust watering can onsite.

Try to invest in good quality tools, otherwise you’ll end up replacing them if they’re more prone to breaking. After all, they’ll endure plenty of wear at tear if you use them frequently. You may also want to consider gloves and a kneeler to ease the strain on your knees.

Planning your allotment layout

Before you go to town with planting, take time to plan your layout. There’s a logic to gardening and it can be time-consuming to undo decisions you’ve rushed into.

Think about pathways and bed sizes, taking into account the level of access you might need to certain areas. Next, consider plant placement and whether certain varieties need more surrounding space than others.

It’s sensible to observe the sunlight and see how it moves throughout the day. Some plants require more sun than others and won’t like it in the shade. Meanwhile, shaded spots can be reserved for vegetables such as carrots and beetroot.

Preparing the soil

Having healthy soil is key to successfully growing produce. Start by removing weeds debris and any old roots and shoots.

You’ll need to consider pH levels too, as these can determine how well certain crops will grow. Luckily, this can be tested easily using two soil samples. Add vinegar to one sample to see if it reacts. If it does, this means it’s more alkaline and has a high pH. Meanwhile, baking soda can be added to another sample to see whether it’s more acidic and has a low pH. Alternatively, you can also buy testing kits.

You can also improve the structure by adding organic matter like compost to improve its fertility and drainage. If you’re using heavy clay soil, you can incorporate sand and grit, which helps to prevent waterlogging. Raised beds are another option to contain soil and improve water runoff.

Choosing and planting your first crops

Use your gardening experience to determine which crops you should plant first. You may want to consider easy-to-grow vegetables to start off with. Some common examples include potatoes, onions, beetroot and leeks. Meanwhile, low-maintenance herbs include rosemary, mint and oregano.

Maintaining your allotment

There needs to be an ongoing commitment to your allotment plot to keep it in good shape. Reduce the risk of pests with pest control solutions such as netting or cages. A polytunnel can be used to protect crops and extend the growing season by covering and supporting growing vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Make sure you’re watering plants and weeding frequently so your plants aren’t competing for nutrients.