Plot Planning for Spring by Kelly-Jane Leach @dirtygardenhoeuk
As the colder weather and longer nights are upon us, it’s an ideal and mindful time to plan for your next year at the allotment. This period of opportunity is one I have learnt to relish, and I can’t wait to see what possibilities are in store, taking this time to also make changes to my allotment layout. If you have just taken over an allotment space, this is now your chance to make it your own. Don’t panic, it’s your blank canvas! If you’re a seasoned allotment-eer, then the reflection on the previous year is a vital and annual process. What worked and didn’t work for you? Are you thinking about trying something new? Every growing year varies, and we learn from our experiences constantly, so it’s now the time to apply that wonderful knowledge to be better gardeners for the future.
Plant selection Allotments aren’t just limited to annual produce, and there’s a whole host of delights you can include. Perennial vegetables are a great option as some produce a constant crop, some even throughout winter, such as the perennial Asturian tree cabbage. Herbaceous perennials, 18
artichokes in this example, are a great addition to an allotment and require very little care. They’re also very popular with pollinators when they are left to flower and have one of the richest blue flowers I have seen. Spring flowering bulbs are a great addition for a needed pop of colour, and they’ll also give you something to look forward to. Bulbs like Alliums and Narcissus multiply too, so the show is different and fuller each year. It’s a great time of year to buy in plants bare root. Raspberries, currants, roses, fruit trees, hedging, and much more. Bare root plants are typically in their dormant phase for winter, so are sold with their roots exposed, and with no foliage. You get more for your money, shipping is cheaper and easier, and these bare root plants are planted in the colder months. You might also want to take this
opportunity to move dormant plants in your space too.
Soil preparation & maintenance Your soil type will dictate when you can cultivate your soil, but
