Allotment Tips for Beginners

• It is useful to make a plan before starting to plant anything, you need to take into consideration the type of soil you have, the amount of sun your plot gets and the direction of the wind. These all have an impact on what you are trying to grow.
• If you need to clear your site of weeds before planting, avoid using a rotavator as this can encourage weeds to spread and multiply in the long-term. We recommend taking the time to cut your weeds back and dig them out manually.
• Rotating your crops each year will help keep the soil in good condition and keep away certain types of pests and diseases.
• Consider what crops you want to grow; some will take much longer to become established and will need long term fixtures such as cages and netting.
• If your soil isn’t very good for growing you could create raised beds. Make sure you do your research about which soil to use, there are various options including top soils, compost mulch and soil conditioners, all of which provide different benefits.