Spring Allotment Preparation: Getting Your Plot Ready for the Growing Season

Spring is the most exciting — and busiest — time on the allotment. What you do in early spring sets the tone for the entire growing season. Good spring preparation isn’t about rushing to plant everything; it’s about soil readiness, timing, and smart early decisions that make the rest of the year easier.

This guide walks you through what to do first, what to delay, and how to prepare efficiently, whether it’s your first year or your tenth.

🌱 1. Why Spring Preparation Matters

Spring prep helps you:

• warm and prepare soil for planting

• reduce weeds before they establish

• avoid compacting wet soil

• get crops off to a strong start

Poor spring prep often leads to:

• stunted plants

• wasted seeds

• constant firefighting later in summer

👀 2. First Job: Inspect the Plot

Before doing anything physical:

• Walk the plot and check winter damage

• Look for waterlogged areas

• Inspect paths, beds, and structures

• Note what survived winter

👉 This prevents working soil that isn’t ready.

🌾 3. Preparing Soil for Spring Planting

Don’t Work Wet Soil

If soil sticks to boots or tools, leave it alone. Working wet soil causes long-term compaction.

Light Soil Preparation (Best Practice)

Instead of heavy digging:

• Gently fork compacted areas if needed

• Rake beds level

• Remove large weeds while small

If beds were mulched in autumn:

• Pull mulch aside to allow soil to warm

• Return it once crops are established

Feeding the Soil

Spring feeding should be gentle.

Best options:

• sieved compost

• well-rotted manure (light layer)

• homemade compost

Avoid heavy feeding too early — seedlings don’t need it yet.

🌱 4. Sowing & Planting: Timing Is Everything

Early Spring (Feb–Mar, weather dependent)

• Broad beans

• Onions and shallots

• Peas

• Early salads

Mid-Spring (Mar–Apr)

• Potatoes

• Carrots (with protection)

• Beetroot

• Spinach

Late Spring (Apr–May)

• Beans

• Courgettes

• Sweetcorn

• Squash

👉 It’s better to sow a little later into warm soil than rush into cold ground.

🌬️ 5. Protection From Spring Weather

Spring brings:

• late frosts

• strong winds

• heavy rain

Use:

• fleece for cold snaps

• cloches for early crops

• windbreaks for exposed plots

Remove protection on mild days to avoid overheating.

🐛 6. Dealing With Early Pests & Weeds

Weeds

• Remove weeds while small

• Hoe on dry days

• Mulch once soil warms

Pests

• Slugs target young seedlings

• Birds pull up new plants

Early prevention:

• barriers

• netting

• careful watering

🛠️ 7. Tools, Water & Infrastructure

Spring is the time to:

• clean and sharpen tools

• check communal water access

• repair beds and supports

• set up compost bays

Doing this early saves time later.

📋 8. Planning & Pacing Yourself

Avoid the spring burnout trap:

• Don’t plant everything at once

• Leave space for succession sowing

• Expect weather delays

A half-planted plot in good condition beats a fully planted plot that’s struggling.