The First Steps | How to Start an Allotment | JB's Beginner Guide - Part 1

Really keen to hear what you thought of this one. Hopefully you enjoy it and get something out of it. There's so much I cut from this to stop it from being huge, but let me know in the comments if you think I missed anything massive. I did of course wonder about whether or not to include a 'what is an allotment' section, but I figure if you're watching, you already know!

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Common Allotment Weeds:

Allotment Month by Month:

Allotment Costs & Budgeting:

Some great Youtube channels for beginners to watch:
@LizZorab
@GreenSideUp
@marksallotmentplot
@TonyCSmith
@JanesGrowingGarden
@niallgardens

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Every week the Potty Mouth Garden Club goes live. A fun garden show hosted by @Tony C Smith .
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:54 - 4 Things to bring
02:50 - Important questions
04:24 - Allotment conditions
06:30 - Allotment infrastructure
07:22 - So many questions!
09:15 - Your neighbours are amazing
09:57 - Get to know some weeds
11:09 - Get excited!
12:13 - Size it up
13:50 - Allotment budgeting

The First Steps | How to Start an Allotment | JB's Beginner Guide - Part 1

[happydigging]

Most people taking on a plot first need to ask themselves:

"Can I commit to spending at least two to three hours a week here, every week, come rain or shine?"

If the answer is yes, then you are half the way there! 😊

Great video! 😃

Happy digging 🌱

[NickSBailey]

I forgot a tape measure when I took our second plot on but found I could get decent measurements with google earth, because you can see many of the features in place (may be a couple of years out of date) I found I could use it to plan the beds on both plots and more recently to decide where the shed is going lol

[Plotonthehill]

I finally got my plot after a year and can't wait to get going.. I've followed all your videos, looking forward to this series 👍

[thelightlysgardenallotment]

Haha, having grown veg in my home garden for many years (25), last autumn I was given 3 raised beds in our local allotments just five minutes walk from home. I have a full time job and now having started the spring season I realise I need even more space 😀 I don't do planning apart from very basic stuff, just plant what I grow from seed and that's it. No measuring or drawing plans yet it all work out in the end 😀

[ladymawa]

Looking forward to this series …. Btw the sun on my plot rises in the east and sets in the west too 🤣🤣 …. I know what you meant but that really made me giggle. Good luck with your new plot! X

[helenhawkins]

I will never have an allotment, for many reasons but I know I will so enjoy watching your progress.😊👍✅

[gmantoon]

currently 43 and my mates just said take over his allotment as he is too busy for it needs a lot of work done but be a challenge

[JanesGrowingGarden]

This is a great idea JB - people are always asking how to get hold of an allotment and what to expect when they get there! I must admit I just went around looking at completely the wrong things saying oh wow a lot - love it though! Thanks for the mention - I'm waving at you from a distance now! Well done!

[majordog]

Hi JB, allotment waiting lists in Edinburgh where I stay are brutal. They say it's an average 10 to 14 years but a study shows that in real time it works out to an incredible 90 years due to the huge waiting lists and nobody giving up their plots. Councils all over the country are just not prioritizing allotments in their plans.

[colinchick]

A video where nothing went wrong - unusual for you JB. Seriously a great video for people starting out. I dont and never will have an allotment but I do have a large garden and your comments are just as valid for me.

[stephenblaze]

That's a bit of good advice to new allotment holders looking forward to the rest of the series

[wildchook]

I'm impressed by how well you pitch this series, JB. It's time to get the mowing going before the weeds take off as the soil warms. You inherited some lovely fruit trees and plants. In addition to being young and fit, I'm sure you'll whip your plots into shape in no time. These days, my joints squeak when I bend over, and I use my shovel to get me back up....Haha!

[julieneary]

Ah JB love your enthusiasm in the talk, but now it’s time to do the walk, it’s a nice day. If I were looking at your new 2nd plot for the first time I would be listing the jobs to do Strim it all completely, am I keeping them beds where they are, look around for anything worth keeping write it down, what’s going to be thrown out write it down. Take photos from every angle, go home after signing for it. Next visit, take a chair and your list, strim the lot, start on the plot putting things into piles for keeping, throwing away, measure your plot from all angles and write it down. Sit down have a cuppa a visualise your plot. Draw a wish list, shed, compost x 2/3, Greenhouse/poly tunnel, wildlife pond, wooden side beds or beds dug, grass paths or wood hip paths, do you want to do some-vertical growing include all this in your lists. Go home and do a rough sketch on how you would like it to look at least in the first year. Exciting having a plot to sort out. Because plot holders like to chat to one another, go with a list of jobs you want ticking off on each visit rather than just turn up, if you organise your time, it comes together quicker than being disorganised, above all sit drink and admire your handy work and progress, take as many photos as you can. Let’s see some progress JB.

[lindacano]

I wish we had the opportunity to have our own allotment plots here in Kentucky (and a way to get back and forth to them everyday.)

[bluumz-n-veg]

Fantastic series, I look forward to viewing future episodes! So much good and sensible info in this first one, too.
Large garbage/trash receptacle: UK "skip" = US "dumpster"
String trimmer: UK "strimmer" = US "weed wacker"

[darrybush]

JB, very well done, this should be interesting, even though I don’t have an allotment plot, only back and front yard here in Southern California.

[Carol-ocmx]

A great video I'll be interested to see how things progress 👍

[laurastone]

How are you not a Blue Peter presenter JB, or at least on Country File?!! I've just been given my allotment and this video was super helpful. Looking forward to following along. take care, Laura

[Zin-ypdi]

Hi, literally been offered a plot today. Going to look at it hopefully tomorrow. So excited!

[WhirlyMerlin]

I second that the book, allotment month by month, is brilliant. 👍