A little introduction - the humble beginnings!

Back in November time, after 6 months on the waiting list we got out hands on plot 68 and joined the ranks of allotment owners the world over.  Our great plot measures 25m by about 6m and has never officially been used as an allotment plot before.  Its 5 minutes walk from home and we're sharing it with our neighbours down the road.

Unofficially some of our allotment neighbours have been planting a few bits and pieces but when it came to digging, weeding etc, their work was lacking!!  In reality what this means is a decent sized plot covered in longish grass with no real structure.  After a few chats we have found out we have plum trees, damson trees, a good sized fig tree, possibly a walnut tree and a splattering of artichokes.  What we also have is undug heavy clay soil and lots of grass to get rid of.

After some reseacrh I now know the following

1.  Artichokes are easy to grow

2.  Fruit trees like clay soil

3.  Raised beds maybe a better option for the clay soil

4.  Digging is hard work!

So far, other than said shed we've started pruning the trees back a bit and are gearing up for a day of digging at the end of Feb, the soil is very wet and heavy at the mo.  General advise seems to be leave it for a bit!

This is how it looked at the start