Starting Your Allotment: A Short Guide for Beginner's

Starting an allotment is exciting — and a little daunting. New plot holders often feel pressure to do everything at once, but the most successful allotments are built gradually, with observation, planning, and realistic goals.

This guide shows you what to do first, what can wait, and how to avoid common mistakes, whether your plot is tidy or completely overgrown.

🌱 1. What to Do First (Before You Dig)

Visit, Observe, and Take Notes

On your first few visits:

• Walk the whole plot

• Note sunny vs shady areas

• Locate water points and paths

• Identify weeds and existing structures

• Take photos (great motivation later)

👉 Resist the urge to start digging immediately.

Check Rules & Expectations

Every allotment site is different. Check:

• Bonfire rules

• Structures (sheds, greenhouses)

• Water usage

• Livestock or bees

• Inspection standards

Knowing this early avoids wasted effort.

🧹 2. Clearing a New or Overgrown Plot

You do not need to clear everything at once.

Best approach for beginners

• Clear ¼–½ of the plot in year one

• Cover the rest with cardboard, membrane, or green manure

• Focus on manageable areas

Clearing methods

• Digging: fast but disruptive

• No-dig: slower but improves soil

• Covering: easiest for heavily overgrown plots

Choose the method you can maintain, not the one that looks fastest.

🗺️ 3. Planning Your Allotment Layout

Good layout saves time and effort later.

Key planning principles

• Standard beds (1–1.2m wide)

• Permanent paths

• Access to water

• Space for composting

Don’t over-design — allotments evolve.

🛠️ 4. Essential Tools (Start Small)

You don’t need everything at once.

Core essentials

• Spade or fork

• Hoe

• Trowel

• Watering cans

• Gloves

Buy quality basics and add tools as needs become clear.

🌾 5. Choosing What to Grow First

Start with reliable, forgiving crops.

Beginner-friendly crops

• Potatoes

• Onions and garlic

• Beans

• Courgettes

• Salad leaves

Avoid crops that:

• take a long time

• need specialist care

• take up lots of space early on

Early success builds confidence.

🌱 6. Understanding Your Soil

Most allotment soils start off poor or compacted.

What to do in year one

• Add compost or well-rotted manure

• Avoid walking on beds

• Mulch bare soil

• Don’t chase perfection

Soil improves with use, not neglect.

⏳ 7. Setting Realistic Expectations

Your first year is about:

• learning your site

• understanding seasons

• building habits

It’s normal to:

• lose some crops

• feel behind mid-season

• change plans often

A productive allotment is used, not perfect.

🧠 Key Principles for New Allotment Holders

• Progress beats perfection

• Small wins matter

• Healthy soil solves many problems

• You can’t learn everything in one year

Photo by david hughes on Unsplash