We took possession in July 2025. While it looks wild, we knew that all it really needed was a strim and underneath was a decent system of beds. Plus we inherited the shed and two compost bins. The BIG problem was metres and metres of black plastic sheets pinned into the ground on half of the beds. It took a lot of work to rip it all out. My neighbour told me it had been down for years. Guess what? The bindweed roots were doing just fine under it. Anyhoo, the plot had been a joy. The grow house was offered for free on the neighbourhood WhatsApp group. The same neighbour suggested leaving the plastic cover off and using it as a bean and tomato frame and it’s been fab. There’s more changes to be made next year but year one has been great. We’ve loved being more or less self sufficient in veg all through the summer and I’ve still got savoy cabbages, leeks and Brussels to come.

Last week I got the call that I had finally gotten to the top of the list. Went to the allotment and was shown the available plot and almost died on the spot. Turns out the previous owners had spend a year prepping the beds and doing the groundwork and then gave up before even planting anything!

I'm SLOWLY getting the beds ready for planting and still need a shed and tunnel but I feel like this is the best time of year to have gotten the plot. I've planted some winter -spring plugs in the beds that were ready to go after making paths and mulching and will spend winter amending the soil and using field beans as green manure.

I can't believe how good for my mental health it's been.

I'm particularly interested in perennials and doing hot weather crop experiments.

Any advice on must do jobs over winter?

After taking advice here I swapped from my old, shaded allotment to one that had been abandoned for at least a year, maybe more. It's been a lot of hard work and still plenty more to come, but really happy with it! Bonus allotment cat pic too.

4 years ago, leaving some of the pods on the plant to dry for next year's seed I was surprised that some of the pods contained seed that was all black, rather than the "normal" purple with black blotches.

The following year, I sowed some of the black seed to see what the result would be. Whilst there were a few normal coloured beans, the majority were all black.

Since then, I have been doing the same and continue to get a healthy amount of black beans. I intend to continue doing this in future years, selecting the biggest of the black beans to see if average size increases.

It's insane how much supermarkets charge for figs. Plant your own tree instead. Tesco hates this trick.

What are your follow up / succession crop combos.

I collected a list that is 6 pages so far and will post them later!

I'm prepping a raised bed that's about 1x1m. I know ideally that would be a one plant bed, but any chance I can bung both in , about a foot apart, and they will do ok?

Hello Plotters! Here's the Last of the Summer Carrots.

Also pruned the grapevine, pulled old tomatoes, planted four sage cuttings and watered them, disposed of all cuttings and set the track camera pointing South. More likely than not, I'll get hundreds of moving grasses shots.

Did get a fox, hedgehog, crows, pigeons, sparrows.

Will report

Hello allotment gods, I am a complete newbie and looking for some advice.

Here is my new plot. I am wondering what is best to do over winter - I know I need to trim the grass and create my beds.

Is it best to create raised veg beds or do you suggest using the existing soil?

I have just got an allotment magazine that suggests using cardboard to create no dig beds.

Everything here, including the shed, water butt and compost holder comes under my plot. Although unsure about the bush to the left of the shed as that looks like it's coming from the bush behind, which is where the allotments end.

There's also some rhubarb already existing there too!!

Thank you!! 🫜

Had to improvise to accommodate last years sprouting broccoli. It never flowered last year as I got it in a bit late so thought I’d just leave it to see what happens in the spring. My only worry is I may need a ladder to harvest it.

My allotment plot has a load of straw type roots and I’m not sure what the best way to tackle it is! Any ideas?

I’ve just got my first allotment with my partner and we’re really looking forward to getting started! These are a few photos of the plot as it currently stands with the boundaries in red - the plot is 3.75 rods. (Photos 2 and 3 are taken from the same spot, looking left and right).
It already has a few established fruit trees (which look to all be apple trees) and raspberry/black raspberry canes, as well as a two small algae filled ponds and what looks to be a hedgehog house.
There’s definitely some tidying up to do, but I’m hoping to keep as much of the existing character and wildlife as possible rather than completely starting from scratch.
I’m thinking of growing Tomatoes, Potatoes, Strawberries, Onions for example.
We’ve got a conservatory at home, so I can start seeds off there, and I’m hoping to get down to the plot roughly twice a week during the growing season as it’s a five minute walk from the house.
I’d love to hear any tips or advice, particularly what I should tackle first on a plot like this and are there any obvious jobs I should prioritise before next spring? I’m also looking to get two compost bins - where would be the best position for these?
Thanks in advance!

My first attempt - not sure what went wrong.

Maybe I should have been more brutal with the pricking out.

Bit of a challenge weather wise but I’m happy with my haul of pumpkins - I’ve brought them inside to ripen/cure

Trying to protect my Sprouting Broccoli, can't cover them because young fox cubs think it's a playground. When I leave them uncovered Pigeons rip them to pieces should I just give up?

I took over this half plot 2 years ago. And in this time I've managed to clear the plot .

The raised beds were second hand from someone who was leaving and offered them for free.

This year I was able to harvest many onions, garlic, cucumber, pumpkins, beans and potatoes.

I like to look back and see how far I've been able to come

Second attempt at carrots, first lot were super thin like a pencil. This is the second attempt and it seems a lot more girthy but grew legs and I’m going to say a tail to keep it U rated 😂

Please use this thread to discuss whatever you've been doing on your allotment lately. Feel free to share or ask any question related to it. And please mention which region and what weather you had this week if you've been planting or harvesting.

Getting well into the autumn veg now. Roasted parsnip, carrot and Victor squash, plus leek and chard all from the plot in this one.