Well done with getting your allotment plot. Some things to consider against that wall perhaps ... - an IBC tank for water collection (cover it with shading material to stop the water going green) - use some of the slabs underneath water storage as a level base - probably put the compost are by the wall but NOT touching as it will rot the wood unless you use plastic ones - put your shed against the wall it does need sun - a potting station would also be good again the wall so you will be partly shaded for part of the day while you work Top right area ... - a green house, poly tunnel etc will need plenty of light so not gainst that wall - that top right hand corner look a good spot for a green house and until you get one make it a patio - don't get rid of any of those slabs they will always come in hand on an allotment plot, always in short supply - as you clear the plot save any bricks allotmenteers best friend along with slabs - make the patio bigger than an 8x6 greenhouse so you have space when it arrives and a seating area when it errected. Lay the foundations now Beds ... - I would be tempted to put my beds across the plot - more smaller beds for single crops v larger beds for mixed crops. Im a more smaller beds, as they are easyier to net possibly three across the plot - consider erecting arch ways between beds utilizing vertical growing space eg peas beans climbing/trailing courgettes, patte pan squash, cucumbers and not forgetting sweet peas. It alsomakes it easier to pick hanging crops. Also leaves the rest of the beds for growing something else - don't make your beds more than 4ft wide you need to be able to reach in from either side with out over stretching, you back will thank you - don't skimp in the width of your paths between beds, peg one out then kneeling down will give you the right width. Get the tallest person to do this - have you considered no dig beds? - at a later date you could convert one bed into a netted fruit cage Paths ... - I'm a wood chip fan. Breaks down over time so every so often add it to the compost heap. Good if your plot is very damp (grass turns to mud) - HAVE A GOOD WONDER ROUND THE WHOLE SITE AND PEER OVER THE FENCES AND SEE WHAT OTHER PLOT HOLDERS HAVE DONE. Take some pictures and pinch some ideas and talk to your neighbours as most hardeners are willing to share I'm sorry to witter on but I'm so excited for you and good luck 🤞👍🤞👍🤞👍
Oh how exciting 🎉 good things come to those who wait 😂😂 but it sure isn’t easy. Enjoy that’s what counts at the end of the day, happy gardening, Ali 🌧️🌦️🇨🇦
Good luck son … take a few photos and when you get older look back … iv had mine 35 years and I’m 70 now just re built my greenhouse and some raised beds it’s great fun and hard work at first 👍👍👍
This is a really good space, the pavers can be used as paths between your beds as this is great when it is wet. They can also be used as bases for your shed/greenhouse. They are expensive to buy and I am sure people around you will be glad of free flags. I love my allotment its my happy place, good luck with yours x
Glad I got this one. Will definitely be re using everything I can. When the funds are available will definitely be getting greenhouse to put on there I think. Thanks so much
Great potential there. I would spend the next few weeks clearing the rubble and planning the plot. Ensure you start with any permanent structures that you want. I would try and source an IBC for under the downpipe and you could lose some of the slabs to raise it on. I e we Phil’s also use some of them to make a little seating/chill out area. The compost bays could also go along the fence/wall line. Look forward to watching the progress.
Thanks yea will be doing that clearing it all and working where the beds are. The ibcs look great I don't drive so it's getting one up there 🤣. Thanks for the input defiantly will be taking the advice
Fantastic. Those paving slabs are so useful. I have a slab path down the middle of my plot and then one slab at the start and end of my woodchip paths, I also had to move them around on my plot but now they are brilliant
Hi there. Congratulations on your new plot. You could use the slabbed area for a greenhouse if you have one. Also, if you are going to have chickens, the slabs would be great as a base for the run to protect from critters digging in. If you are roofing the run (which I recommend) you could put some hemp or other bedding down on the slabs for them to scratch about in. I look forward to seeing how things progress. All the best. Mags
Thanks. I thought the slabs were a bad thing first time seen them now am thinking could be good with the amount of ideas people have for them. Didn't think the chickens would like it thanks for the idea
That's a good plot you've got yourself there. If it were me I'd go with woodchips for the path purely because I couldn't be dealing with cutting grass every 2 weeks plus it will break down over the years and give free mulch/compost. That guttering on the side is super handy.
Thanks My thought with the grass was for extra compost stuff. Wood chip will prob keep the weeds down better. Very happy with the guttering saves me a job
I must say I’ve never heard of allotment-plots, but being a native Texan I guess that’s why. I stumbled across your video & it brought back so many memories of when I scrimped & saved in my early 20’s to buy a piece of property away from the city. Now, at 74, I look back at those years as the best thing I ever did. There’s nothing better than to feel & smell fresh plowed earth, listen to the birds, & watch your children’s amazement at seeing a seed they planted become a delicious thing of beauty. Best of luck with your little slice of heaven, & may God bless.
I am always surprised that America hasn't got allotments or something similar. That sounds amazing. It's my favourite thing to do get into the garden and grow. The kids are already asking to go up all the time and sow seeds. Thank you so much have a great day
I’ve just stumbled across your vlog and of course I instantly subscribed, I’m moving down south in next month or so and wondering about applying for an allotment site before I actually move seeing as my new property is all slabbed over and not really that big, your site looks amazing though I think there may be more work than you are anticipating but all the best to you and your family have lots of fun
Thank you. I would definitely apply for one of you haven't got any green space at your new place. There is definitely alot of work needs doing I have realised that the more I have been up there. Thank you so much hope you get a plot
What a great plot! You could build off that fence for your prep/shelter area and creat easy trellis for your verticle and vining growers. Freeing up more bed space, and would certainly opt for ramil woodchip over grass. Free compost at end of season then just top up in the new season
Thanks. Yea really thinking of using that wall for growing. Think the others have missed a trick not getting my plot. Think wood chip is leading the way
New sub here mate, Congrats on getting your allotment, There is so much potential for you, basically a blank canvas. Woodchip for your paths as it can be used as a mulch, it can even be scooped up and added to your compost bins when its time to renew on your paths. IBC tank under your drain pipe or even a chain of blue barrels connected with pipe so one fills another and so one, to give you a good reserve of water
Thanks yea really good it being blank so I can do what I want. Going to a garden centre tonight who I know has wood chip hopefully can get some off then
Congratulations on the allotment 🎉 yes the plum tree is budding with flowers is it self pollinating? If not you should look into getting another for cross pollination. Hopefully there are other plum trees close by, best of luck moving forward I will be keeping up with the videos now that I have found your channel 😊
Congrats on the plot. Looking at the slabs, you could use them for your paths instead of grass. That would make your job easier and there would be no grass to mow.
Those slabs are super useful. Paths, patio, bases for water Butt's and if you don't use them for any of those you can set them on edge for some raised beds.
You defo have the better plot and as for paths i would defo go with Membrane, Cardboard then Wood Chip. The idea behind my choice is the Rain, if you had Grass i think it would go a bit muddy and i don't think the grass seed would grow much on there as well. Having the Woodchip i think would soak up the rain better and maybe not as muddy, plus you would have a nicer smell with the Woodchip. Take Care. Barry (the Wirral) New Subscriber.
Woodchip paths are quicker to get done but does the site get woodchip deliveries or would you have to buy it yourself? As woodchip breaks down you can compost it. Grass is nice but would take a while to establish I think - unless you turfed.
Weed membrane and woodchip 100% for paths everytime in my opinion. If it was me I would run several pieces of guttering along those large posts on that 'wall' for strawberries.
Yea think I might be going the way of wood chip I just need to source some.I did think of with the strawberries in the wall it should get enough sun so that's another job 🤣.
Okay I need a quick lesson on this. I live in America. I understand that you call what we call garden plots, allotments. What I am not understanding is do you have to purchase them like you would a home or lease them? If so we need to do that here. Here the only people that can have a garden are home owners. If you lease your home it depends on your landlord. With all that being said congratulations on your allotment.
Hi. We lease them so I pay just over £40 a year for this plot of land where you are allowed to grow fruit and vegetables and even keep chickens on. You can pretty much do what you want with them and people can rent them as long as they want
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotmentThat is awesome! I am blessed to have a home and land so I have chickens and a garden but so many here living in apartments etc.. would really love this idea.
My allotment is double size of yours and was all grass, took me two years to realise I need to cover the whole lot. Best thing I did . I got my weed membrane off of eBay. 2m by 25m was 23£ a roll
Years ago the whole area was coal mining. But the site has been an allotment for years now. The guy before had a building on here for his horses don't think they used it for much growing
@@jcreed5967 thanks yea it's always a concern with the guy having live stock on here before me I think it's fine. I would hope the council would have seen anything that would contaminate and get rid
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment you can easily get a rain catchment system there mate, I did one on a small polytunnel (on my channel) and I'm surprised how fast i collected water. And yeah I bet you can't wait get your scates on spring is coming lol
Don’t have grass, it’s hard work especially on a big plot. Stick down weed matting and wood chip. Just cover the whole lot in sheeting. Till you decide what to do, because those weeds will soon take over
That's my worry not wanting to fight the weeds that are already popping up. Looking for the best sheeting now and where I can get wood chip local. Thanks
In the UK the local council/government have bits of land they rent out to people to grow your own fruits and vegetables and flowers. There are long weighting lists because alot of UK homes don't have much space to grow things.
Well done with getting your allotment plot.
Some things to consider against that wall perhaps ...
- an IBC tank for water collection (cover it with shading material to stop the water going green)
- use some of the slabs underneath water storage as a level base
- probably put the compost are by the wall but NOT touching as it will rot the wood unless you use plastic ones
- put your shed against the wall it does need sun
- a potting station would also be good again the wall so you will be partly shaded for part of the day while you work
Top right area ...
- a green house, poly tunnel etc will need plenty of light so not gainst that wall
- that top right hand corner look a good spot for a green house and until you get one make it a patio
- don't get rid of any of those slabs they will always come in hand on an allotment plot, always in short supply
- as you clear the plot
save any bricks allotmenteers best friend along with slabs
- make the patio bigger than an 8x6 greenhouse so you have space when it arrives and a seating area when it errected. Lay the foundations now
Beds ...
- I would be tempted to put my beds across the plot
- more smaller beds for single crops v larger beds for mixed crops. Im a more smaller beds, as they are easyier to net possibly three across the plot
- consider erecting arch ways between beds utilizing vertical growing space eg peas beans climbing/trailing courgettes, patte pan squash, cucumbers and not forgetting sweet peas. It alsomakes it easier to pick hanging crops. Also leaves the rest of the beds for growing something else
- don't make your beds more than 4ft wide you need to be able to reach in from either side with out over stretching, you back will thank you
- don't skimp in the width of your paths between beds, peg one out then kneeling down will give you the right width. Get the tallest person to do this
- have you considered no dig beds?
- at a later date you could convert one bed into a netted fruit cage
Paths ...
- I'm a wood chip fan. Breaks down over time so every so often add it to the compost heap. Good if your plot is very damp (grass turns to mud)
- HAVE A GOOD WONDER ROUND THE WHOLE SITE AND PEER OVER THE FENCES AND SEE WHAT OTHER PLOT HOLDERS HAVE DONE. Take some pictures and pinch some ideas and talk to your neighbours as most hardeners are willing to share
I'm sorry to witter on but I'm so excited for you and good luck 🤞👍🤞👍🤞👍
Thank you so much that is really helpful this comment is getting screenshoted for future reference 🤣. Thank you so much. Very excited too
Excellent advice and covers my thoughts on each aspect, so I hope he takes notice and takes your suggestions into account. 👍
Thank you Gerry, nice of you to say so😊@@gerryheynes5082
New follower, I would say wood chips. Grass would be an extra chore of keeping it cut. Best of luck on your new adventure
Thank you. sounds like more people going wood chip. Thank you again
Oh how exciting 🎉 good things come to those who wait 😂😂 but it sure isn’t easy. Enjoy that’s what counts at the end of the day, happy gardening, Ali 🌧️🌦️🇨🇦
Can't wait to start. Really happy with the one just need it all done to enjoy it
Good luck son … take a few photos and when you get older look back … iv had mine 35 years and I’m 70 now just re built my greenhouse and some raised beds it’s great fun and hard work at first 👍👍👍
Thank you. Wow 35 years bet that's been an adventure. I can't wait to get stuck in.
This is a really good space, the pavers can be used as paths between your beds as this is great when it is wet. They can also be used as bases for your shed/greenhouse. They are expensive to buy and I am sure people around you will be glad of free flags. I love my allotment its my happy place, good luck with yours x
Glad I got this one. Will definitely be re using everything I can. When the funds are available will definitely be getting greenhouse to put on there I think.
Thanks so much
Congratulations! This lot looks like it has a lot of potential!!! 🙂
Congratulations! It's so exciting getting a new allotment. I'm looking forward to watching your progress. ♡
Thank you just seen you have one too can't wait to watch aswell good luck
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment thank you!!
Great potential there. I would spend the next few weeks clearing the rubble and planning the plot. Ensure you start with any permanent structures that you want. I would try and source an IBC for under the downpipe and you could lose some of the slabs to raise it on. I e we Phil’s also use some of them to make a little seating/chill out area. The compost bays could also go along the fence/wall line. Look forward to watching the progress.
Thanks yea will be doing that clearing it all and working where the beds are. The ibcs look great I don't drive so it's getting one up there 🤣. Thanks for the input defiantly will be taking the advice
Super excited for you Anthony! That is a huge plot, you have plenty of room mate 😊🌱👍
Thanks it's feels bigger then when I first saw it can't wait to start growing
Fantastic. Those paving slabs are so useful. I have a slab path down the middle of my plot and then one slab at the start and end of my woodchip paths, I also had to move them around on my plot but now they are brilliant
Also they are +/- £5 each
I just hope they come up easy lol
I agree with you, you’ve got a great plot there, full of potential 😁
Congrats on your allotment. You are so lucky to have a water source. You even have a great view.
Thanks definitely hit lucky for the water. The view is great too be better with nice weather
Hi there. Congratulations on your new plot. You could use the slabbed area for a greenhouse if you have one. Also, if you are going to have chickens, the slabs would be great as a base for the run to protect from critters digging in. If you are roofing the run (which I recommend) you could put some hemp or other bedding down on the slabs for them to scratch about in. I look forward to seeing how things progress. All the best. Mags
Thanks. I thought the slabs were a bad thing first time seen them now am thinking could be good with the amount of ideas people have for them. Didn't think the chickens would like it thanks for the idea
Compared to the others, I think yours is the best.
Nice plot, can’t wait to see how you get along.
Thank you
That's a good plot you've got yourself there. If it were me I'd go with woodchips for the path purely because I couldn't be dealing with cutting grass every 2 weeks plus it will break down over the years and give free mulch/compost. That guttering on the side is super handy.
Thanks My thought with the grass was for extra compost stuff. Wood chip will prob keep the weeds down better. Very happy with the guttering saves me a job
Congratulations on your new plot. I would see if part of the wall area you could put a few climbers. Definitely get the water collection started
There's some nails in the wall so looks like it has been used for stuff before. First thing I am buying is some water collection thanks
Congrats on your new garden.
Thanks
How wonderful
I must say I’ve never heard of allotment-plots, but being a native Texan I guess that’s why. I stumbled across your video & it brought back so many memories of when I scrimped & saved in my early 20’s to buy a piece of property away from the city. Now, at 74, I look back at those years as the best thing I ever did. There’s nothing better than to feel & smell fresh plowed earth, listen to the birds, & watch your children’s amazement at seeing a seed they planted become a delicious thing of beauty. Best of luck with your little slice of heaven, & may God bless.
I am always surprised that America hasn't got allotments or something similar. That sounds amazing. It's my favourite thing to do get into the garden and grow. The kids are already asking to go up all the time and sow seeds. Thank you so much have a great day
I’ve just stumbled across your vlog and of course I instantly subscribed, I’m moving down south in next month or so and wondering about applying for an allotment site before I actually move seeing as my new property is all slabbed over and not really that big, your site looks amazing though I think there may be more work than you are anticipating but all the best to you and your family have lots of fun
Thank you. I would definitely apply for one of you haven't got any green space at your new place. There is definitely alot of work needs doing I have realised that the more I have been up there. Thank you so much hope you get a plot
What a great plot! You could build off that fence for your prep/shelter area and creat easy trellis for your verticle and vining growers. Freeing up more bed space, and would certainly opt for ramil woodchip over grass. Free compost at end of season then just top up in the new season
Thanks. Yea really thinking of using that wall for growing. Think the others have missed a trick not getting my plot. Think wood chip is leading the way
New sub here mate, Congrats on getting your allotment, There is so much potential for you, basically a blank canvas. Woodchip for your paths as it can be used as a mulch, it can even be scooped up and added to your compost bins when its time to renew on your paths. IBC tank under your drain pipe or even a chain of blue barrels connected with pipe so one fills another and so one, to give you a good reserve of water
Thanks yea really good it being blank so I can do what I want. Going to a garden centre tonight who I know has wood chip hopefully can get some off then
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment good luck mate 👍
🐝Thanks for the great video🌻 congratsssss
Congratulations on the allotment 🎉 yes the plum tree is budding with flowers is it self pollinating? If not you should look into getting another for cross pollination. Hopefully there are other plum trees close by, best of luck moving forward I will be keeping up with the videos now that I have found your channel 😊
Thank. Yes the plum tree is self pollinating (just ran outside to check) well very happy about that. Thanks
You could do chip on the paths and make a grassy area to sit and enjoy ❤
That's a good idea why one when both will do
Congrats on the plot. Looking at the slabs, you could use them for your paths instead of grass. That would make your job easier and there would be no grass to mow.
Thanks. Next time I am up there going to see if the slabs can easily be moved if so could try make a path with them thanks
Those slabs are super useful. Paths, patio, bases for water Butt's and if you don't use them for any of those you can set them on edge for some raised beds.
Thanks definitely going to be re using them for something
You defo have the better plot and as for paths i would defo go with Membrane, Cardboard then Wood Chip. The idea behind my choice is the Rain, if you had Grass i think it would go a bit muddy and i don't think the grass seed would grow much on there as well.
Having the Woodchip i think would soak up the rain better and maybe not as muddy, plus you would have a nicer smell with the Woodchip. Take Care.
Barry (the Wirral) New Subscriber.
Thanks. Yea think wood chip is the better option. Just looking where to get it. Definitely some things I haven't thought about thanks for subbing
Good choice no rubble to move normally a mess when you first get a allotment plot , try wood chips.
Thanks yea I am looking into where to get the wood chip from
Good luck!
Thank you
Does "least weedy" mean least fertile. Soil improvement might be needed. Slabs = very useful.
When I have looked at Google earth it looked like my part was used to grow things on the plot next to mine was drive and buildings
Shed and greenhouse can fit on the slabs xx
Good idea Never thought of that when I have the extra funds that could be the plan thanks
Ready made 👍 compost heaps where you get horse manure etc delivered easy access… looking forward to see how you go and if you stick at it
good luck!
Thanks!
Woodchip paths are quicker to get done but does the site get woodchip deliveries or would you have to buy it yourself? As woodchip breaks down you can compost it. Grass is nice but would take a while to establish I think - unless you turfed.
The site gets nothing by the looks of it would have to get some myself
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment Contact local tree surgeons, they have to pay to dump it so most will drop you off a load or 2 free of charge
Look at you planning it all out already without me. 😂 my chicken spot is the first thing to sort 😂
Well get yourself up there. You can have the job of clearing that spot then 🤣
Weed membrane and woodchip 100% for paths everytime in my opinion. If it was me I would run several pieces of guttering along those large posts on that 'wall' for strawberries.
Yea think I might be going the way of wood chip I just need to source some.I did think of with the strawberries in the wall it should get enough sun so that's another job 🤣.
Okay I need a quick lesson on this. I live in America. I understand that you call what we call garden plots, allotments. What I am not understanding is do you have to purchase them like you would a home or lease them? If so we need to do that here. Here the only people that can have a garden are home owners. If you lease your home it depends on your landlord. With all that being said congratulations on your allotment.
Hi. We lease them so I pay just over £40 a year for this plot of land where you are allowed to grow fruit and vegetables and even keep chickens on. You can pretty much do what you want with them and people can rent them as long as they want
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotmentThat is awesome! I am blessed to have a home and land so I have chickens and a garden but so many here living in apartments etc.. would really love this idea.
My allotment is double size of yours and was all grass, took me two years to realise I need to cover the whole lot. Best thing I did .
I got my weed membrane off of eBay. 2m by 25m was 23£ a roll
Thanks will have a look
ah congratulations
Thank you
Don’t have grass use the slabs you have on that plot to make a path and weed suppressant and chipping between beds. Good luck.
Decided to make a path with the slabs and buying more weed suppressant just trying to get wood chip now thanks
What was on the site before it was an allotment? A bit worrying that it could be an ex industrial site.
Years ago the whole area was coal mining. But the site has been an allotment for years now. The guy before had a building on here for his horses don't think they used it for much growing
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment my concern was in case the land could be contaminated.
@@jcreed5967 thanks yea it's always a concern with the guy having live stock on here before me I think it's fine. I would hope the council would have seen anything that would contaminate and get rid
Congratulations mate
Thanks mate can't wait to start
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment you can easily get a rain catchment system there mate, I did one on a small polytunnel (on my channel) and I'm surprised how fast i collected water. And yeah I bet you can't wait get your scates on spring is coming lol
👍👍👍
Don’t have grass, it’s hard work especially on a big plot. Stick down weed matting and wood chip. Just cover the whole lot in sheeting. Till you decide what to do, because those weeds will soon take over
That's my worry not wanting to fight the weeds that are already popping up. Looking for the best sheeting now and where I can get wood chip local. Thanks
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotmentclover.. or another ground cover.. grass is booooooooooo
At some plots they get wood chips dropped off not sure if it’s the council.
I am going to have to ask about. There is some wood chip outside someone's plot did just want to take it 😂. Thanks
do grass if you get chickens do chips if not id wreckon
Thanks I may do part grass part wood then because I will be getting chickens
Y dont you put up a shed on th slabs
Good idea. When I get the funds that could be the plan
What's an allotment?
In the UK the local council/government have bits of land they rent out to people to grow your own fruits and vegetables and flowers. There are long weighting lists because alot of UK homes don't have much space to grow things.
@@JacobsonFamilyAllotment That's great. Sounds like a good way to use vacant lots and raise a bit of money for the town. Good luck with your growing.
There are also privately owned allotment sites available 😊
woodchip 100%
Wood chip hun tbh
Yea definitely the way to by the sound of it