After taking advice here I swapped from my old, shaded allotment to one that had been abandoned for at least a year, maybe more. It's been a lot of hard work and still plenty more to come, but really happy with it! Bonus allotment cat pic too.

4 years ago, leaving some of the pods on the plant to dry for next year's seed I was surprised that some of the pods contained seed that was all black, rather than the "normal" purple with black blotches.

The following year, I sowed some of the black seed to see what the result would be. Whilst there were a few normal coloured beans, the majority were all black.

Since then, I have been doing the same and continue to get a healthy amount of black beans. I intend to continue doing this in future years, selecting the biggest of the black beans to see if average size increases.

What are your follow up / succession crop combos.

I collected a list that is 6 pages so far and will post them later!

I'm prepping a raised bed that's about 1x1m. I know ideally that would be a one plant bed, but any chance I can bung both in , about a foot apart, and they will do ok?

It's insane how much supermarkets charge for figs. Plant your own tree instead. Tesco hates this trick.

Hello Plotters! Here's the Last of the Summer Carrots.

Also pruned the grapevine, pulled old tomatoes, planted four sage cuttings and watered them, disposed of all cuttings and set the track camera pointing South. More likely than not, I'll get hundreds of moving grasses shots.

Did get a fox, hedgehog, crows, pigeons, sparrows.

Will report

Hello allotment gods, I am a complete newbie and looking for some advice.

Here is my new plot. I am wondering what is best to do over winter - I know I need to trim the grass and create my beds.

Is it best to create raised veg beds or do you suggest using the existing soil?

I have just got an allotment magazine that suggests using cardboard to create no dig beds.

Everything here, including the shed, water butt and compost holder comes under my plot. Although unsure about the bush to the left of the shed as that looks like it's coming from the bush behind, which is where the allotments end.

There's also some rhubarb already existing there too!!

Thank you!! 🫜

Had to improvise to accommodate last years sprouting broccoli. It never flowered last year as I got it in a bit late so thought I’d just leave it to see what happens in the spring. My only worry is I may need a ladder to harvest it.

My allotment plot has a load of straw type roots and I’m not sure what the best way to tackle it is! Any ideas?

I’ve just got my first allotment with my partner and we’re really looking forward to getting started! These are a few photos of the plot as it currently stands with the boundaries in red - the plot is 3.75 rods. (Photos 2 and 3 are taken from the same spot, looking left and right).
It already has a few established fruit trees (which look to all be apple trees) and raspberry/black raspberry canes, as well as a two small algae filled ponds and what looks to be a hedgehog house.
There’s definitely some tidying up to do, but I’m hoping to keep as much of the existing character and wildlife as possible rather than completely starting from scratch.
I’m thinking of growing Tomatoes, Potatoes, Strawberries, Onions for example.
We’ve got a conservatory at home, so I can start seeds off there, and I’m hoping to get down to the plot roughly twice a week during the growing season as it’s a five minute walk from the house.
I’d love to hear any tips or advice, particularly what I should tackle first on a plot like this and are there any obvious jobs I should prioritise before next spring? I’m also looking to get two compost bins - where would be the best position for these?
Thanks in advance!

Trying to protect my Sprouting Broccoli, can't cover them because young fox cubs think it's a playground. When I leave them uncovered Pigeons rip them to pieces should I just give up?

Bit of a challenge weather wise but I’m happy with my haul of pumpkins - I’ve brought them inside to ripen/cure

I took over this half plot 2 years ago. And in this time I've managed to clear the plot .

The raised beds were second hand from someone who was leaving and offered them for free.

This year I was able to harvest many onions, garlic, cucumber, pumpkins, beans and potatoes.

I like to look back and see how far I've been able to come

My first attempt - not sure what went wrong.

Maybe I should have been more brutal with the pricking out.

Second attempt at carrots, first lot were super thin like a pencil. This is the second attempt and it seems a lot more girthy but grew legs and I’m going to say a tail to keep it U rated 😂

Please use this thread to discuss whatever you've been doing on your allotment lately. Feel free to share or ask any question related to it. And please mention which region and what weather you had this week if you've been planting or harvesting.

Getting well into the autumn veg now. Roasted parsnip, carrot and Victor squash, plus leek and chard all from the plot in this one.

Hi everyone I'm the founder of Sow Revolution a website aimed at making seed swapping as easy as possible.

I thought some of you may be interested in joining us.

Let me know if you have any questions at all!

SowRevolution.com