Citrus peel soaked in water makes a good aphid deterrent, and caterpillars can be picked off by hand. We touched on this briefly, but knowing the correct way to lay out your allotment plot will really help your gardening efforts and produce a wealth of beautiful plants and flowers. It may seem tedious, but cut your weeds back to stubble height and then dig them out, also regularly hoeing in dry weather is the best way to kill off weeds.

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With some luck, you’ll be next to someone who keeps their plot tidy and helps with advice when you need a hand. With luck, patience and hard work, you'll be rewarded with delicious, home-grown crops, not to mention the satisfaction of having raised them yourself. The mad rush to get your seed in is over and now it’s time to hope the sun stays to finish ripening everything! I know those that laugh and tease (in good spirit) those who have seating areas in their allotment, considering them a waste of time. Not only will you have the satisfaction of producing your own home-grown veggies, you get plenty of light, fresh air, and exercise.

Net your fruit bushes against birds but make sure you check the netting regular for trapped wildlife such as hedgehogs, slow worms, frogs and the birds themselves. It is also worth considering what type of crops you intend to grow, as some will take years to establish and will need a bed to themselves for the duration of their life (and as such will not be included in the rotation system) – for example, asparagus beds can last up to 20 years, cane and bush fruit are long term fixtures, requiring cages and netting, while fruit trees can outlive many generations of plot holder.

Allotment: getting started / RHS Gardening

I took all the information about the allotment from all the other people there, what I could see thrived there, what people had done to cause them trouble and also what I wanted to grow let my brain play with it then came up with a design – several actually. When it comes to planting your crops, take into account the companion planting tips we discussed above. Once this is done, you can then finish off with turf or wood chips, depending on which you find most appealing. To make sure you know exactly what to do, step by step, we’ve put together this ultimate beginners guide to starting an allotment.And, if you're worried about stiff joints from bending down to use a hand weeder, our bumper guide to the best garden kneelers will help you pick one to make the job more comfortable. November– Lettuce under cover and broad beans can go in now – I always plant broad beans on armistice day. If you've got the space, you could even add in a bench or chairs to create a 'chill and relax' area with some outdoor furnishings. You can use commercial sprays on insects, eggs, and larvae, but its possible to use organic methods. Allotment design is all about making sure you focus on a few essentials so that your garden has the best opportunity to thrive.

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The layout of your allotment actually has a really important role; the way you arrange your crops can affect the way in which they grow. A weed-resistant membrane with wood chipping works well too, and don’t forget the stones you dug out from the planting beds – they can be used to build up a pathway as can patio slabs, roofing tiles, and old bricks. If you have been given a plot which is partly or totally in shade, choosing fruit and vegetables that tolerant these conditions is essential. If you have the luxury to create your own allotment wherever you want to, then you should choose a sunny spot .Many allotments don’t supply water, but allotment holders get around this by installing a water butt. Allotment pests include slugs and snails, aphids, caterpillars of the large and small white butterflies, and birds. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If you’re offered a plot in winter, or you’re in no rush, try laying cardboard or polythene over weedy areas. Before you put blades and spades anywhere near the plot, you may have to get rid of broken glass, metal, stones and the previous allotment holder’s junk.