How To Start An Allotment Plot For Beginners

Are you tired of paying exorbitant prices for fresh, organic produce at the supermarket? Do you long for the satisfaction of growing your food? Starting an allotment might be just what you need! Allotments are spaces where individuals can rent a plot of land to grow their own fruits, vegetables, and flowers. They're a great way to get outside, connect with nature, and reap the rewards of your hard work.
However, if you're new to gardening, the idea of starting an allotment may be daunting. Fear not! In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to get started on your journey to collecting baskets of fresh vegetables. From selecting the right plot to choosing what to grow and how to care for your plants, we'll take you step-by-step through the process of starting your own allotment. So grab your gardening gloves and let's get started!

Once you’ve cleared and prepared your plot, taken the time to carefully plan your crops and are in a position to either sow directly out or transport and plant out developing plants you will need to factor in regular maintenance and care to keep your plot in check. Weeds can be relentless in Spring as the temperatures rise and rainfall is still plentiful, failing to keep on top of these will make the job feel more and more overwhelming whilst also thwarting the overall health of your plot. You should be aiming to check and act on weed growth regularly.

As important as this is ensuring that you are spending enough time at the plot to ensure your developing plants are getting enough water, it may be that mother nature takes care of this on some weeks but with increasingly long dry spells during our British Summer making sure there is a source of water on the plot for you to keep your plants hydrated is critical.

So there you have it, folks! We hope this beginner's guide to starting an allotment has given you the confidence and knowledge to take the first steps towards getting started with your brand-new allotment plot. Remember, gardening is all about trial and error – don't be discouraged if things don't go perfectly at first. With time, patience, and a little bit of elbow grease, you'll soon be reaping the rewards of your hard work. So grab your seeds, roll up your sleeves, and let's get planting!

At Feel Good we have developed a range of polytunnels and cold frames that enhance your ability as a gardener by helping to protect and create the right environment for your veggies to get growing. A good polytunnel can ensure your season starts well ahead of everyone else's and last much longer, perfect for maximising as many hours outdoors as possible.

1. Beetroot – Can be sown outdoors from Mid April and can be ready in as little as 7 weeks.
2. Chillies - Perfect for pots or on sills if you have a greenhouse or cold frame on your allotment plot.
3. Bush Tomatoes – These do not need quite as much attention as the cordon variety and can also be grown well in pots or baskets.
4. Potatoes – One of the easiest crops to grow in either the ground or growing bags, we love growing smaller salad potatoes for a spring harvest.
5. Peas – These are easy to grow from seed crops, they are a delicious crop during spring and early Summer before it gets too hot for them to grow good quality produce.
6. Salad Leaves – Perfect for pots, make sure to keep them watered in hot spells but enjoy picking them every few days and remember to keep sowing seeds for an ongoing supply.
7. Courgettes – Once the frost has passed these are great, quick-growing veg for beginners.
8. Rocket – quick growing and easy to keep a continual supply of fresh leaves.
9. Squash & Pumpkins – Growing winter squashes can give you a supply of stored veg over winter months, a good amount of space is needed for these crops though.
10. Radishes – easy to grow with no thinning out needed, you can usually be eating them within a few weeks!