"Kim Bewick" wrote in message
...
Hi Folks
Well I've finally gone and got myself an allotment (125 sq meters) but
haven't got a clue what I should really be doing at this time of year.
It's fairly weed free thank goodness and was treated with Round-Up last
autumn (will this affect anything I may want to plant)?
Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm in Cardiff, where it's fairly
mild
compered with other parts of the UK at the minute.
Regards
Kim

Welcome Kim.

It's a great time to get an allotment as things are about to kick off big
time. I would talk to the other allotmenteers on your site about where is
the
best place to acquire seeds, seed potatoes and all the other stuff. Are you
lucky enough to have an allotment shop on site? They will also tell you
about local soil and weather conditions and all sorts of other useful stuff
if they're anything like my neighbours

I don't personally use chemicals, so I will leave the matter of the round-up
to others.

This is very nearly time to get your seed potatoes in, and most people have
started chitting(sprouting) them, one person I know has planted already, I'm
leaving it a week or two yet. If you're late, don't worry, they'll catch up.

If you have a greenhouse it would be great to start off loads of seeds now.
It's also time to be sowing parsnips outdoors, they need a good while to
grow, and as it's mild where you are I would go for it.

Marking out beds and deciding on compost areas, water storage etc, visiting
your nearest
industrial estate where most places will gladly let you have pallets, going
to the library and get a couple of books on the subject to read in the
evenings when it's dark and you can't see to do any more at your plot.

And check out other peoples allotment/garden sites, here's ours, I'm sure
others will also post theirs. I'm sure they will also find plenty of other
things for you to do. You're going to be busy!

Enjoy.

Steve