Don't lose the plot. Part II.

If you have been lucky enough to rise to the top of the waiting list and have just taken over the tenancy of an allotment, congratulations. Now is the time that you should be planning in some detail what you are going to do with the plot and, as soon as the weather permits, making a start on clearing the site. Don't leave the planning or the clearing until the start of the growing season, you will never catch up, and don't underestimate the amount of time involved in cultivating an allotment.

I don't intend to go into practical advice on growing as the net is full of it and there must now be almost as many books on gardening published as cookery books. In fact there is almost too much information available and it can be quite confusing for the first time veg grower. Remember that there is more than one right way of going about it. Whether you decide to go for 1940s style allotmenteering or trendy, fully organic raised beds is up to you but don't be to influenced by what you see on TV. The neighbour on the next door plot with thirty years experience will almost certainly know more than any bloated celebrity chef/gardener on the box.