Allotment plots are often surrounded by grass paths, and it is likely to be the responsibility of the plot holder to maintain these. If this is the case, a trimmer can be an excellent time saving investment, and is able to cut grass in areas than a lawnmower cannot reach.

Scissors are extremely useful for opening bags of compost, cutting twine, and tidying up crops before taking them home, for example removing the leaves off beetroot or carrots. I like to use biodegradable weed fabric at the allotment to reduce the amount of weeding I need to do, and scissors allow me to cut this to the required width and length. When growing vegetables at home, finding space for a couple of compost bins, or a wormery, is a good way of recycling garden and kitchen waste to produce nutritious compost, that can be used around a garden to feed plants, or as growing media in plant pots. The bins should be positioned in a sheltered spot in your garden. Forks are indispensable for breaking up the soil, and for levelling soil that has been freshly dug. It is sometimes easier to dig with a fork than a spade, as the sharp points of a fork more easily penetrate hard ground. RakeI have a full time job, a preschooler and a primary schooler. Using some of the tips from this book I’ve managed to also juggle a 5 pole allotment by gradually cultivating it in short bursts little and often. For larger seeds like broad beans, garlic, and shallots, I cut squares into the fabric at the right spacing and push the seeds into the soil. Because of the raised sides of a no-dig bed, it is very easy to protect the plants with a net, particularly useful for crops like cabbage, broccoli, and kale that are loved by birds. My Results Using No-Dig Beds A nursery is a practical way of starting crops earlier in the growing season, and keeping important growing space free for other crops until the seedlings are ready. Four stars as I wanted greater depth of information. Useful nevertheless. Classic DK publication with clear, concise articles to give you ideas about where to start, varieties to grow, troubleshooting guide and illustrations on how to do things.

Access to water, and how easy it is to water crops during the height of summer, is one of the most important considerations when planning an allotment. If available, choose a plot near a tap or water pump. This will save considerable time and energy. Are you an allotment dummie? Well, this book Allotment Gardening For Dummies is the book for you. From the popular book range, they now have a book for new gardeners out there or people who would like to learn more about allotments and gardening, as there is always something new to learn. In this book, you will learn about how to get your allotment, decide what to grow on your allotment, and advise on how to store and cook the produce that you have grown. You certainly will not be an allotment dummie after reading this book. Plants are grown in columns north to south (ie vertical). This is to allow maximum light for each row of plants. Because they base it on a busy life, which let’s face it most of us have, it gives advice on the plants and fruits that are best for this type of growing. Which ones to avoid. Whether to use seed or pre-grown plants. This is a great starting point to make your decisions from giving you a better control of your time and space. This is especially important if you have a tiny plot like mine.With crop rotation of vegetables, the distance from the water source to thirsty plants will change every year. However, some perennial plants with permanent positions on a plot, like fruit bushes and fruit trees, can be positioned far away from a water source. The roots of these plants will go deep, and therefore will not require frequent watering. Soft fruit like strawberries, and especially raspberries, have shallower roots and will need watering more frequently. Positioning these plants near a water source can save effort. Book:- RHS Step-by-Step Veg Patch: A Foolproof Guide to Every Stage of Growing Fruit and Veg About the Book:- Low maintenance paths around no-dig beds save a lot of time. An alternative is grass paths, but this will give you a grass cutting job, and will likely lead to grass growing underneath your wood frame and growing inside your no-dig beds. Watering plants at an allotment is one of the most frequent tasks for a plot holder. If there are a choice of allotments available, choosing an allotment near a water supply can save a considerable amount of effort.