Welcome – New Tenants

Welcome to your new plot at Roding Road Allotments.

Starting an allotment is exciting — and sometimes a little daunting. This guide is here to help you make a confident start and understand what to focus on during your first year.

You don’t need to achieve everything at once. What matters most is steady progress and visible cultivation.

Getting Started

When you first take on your plot:

• Start with a manageable section rather than clearing everything at once.
• Remove perennial weeds carefully (such as couch grass or bindweed).
• Get something growing as soon as possible.
• Keep paths and plot edges tidy and accessible.
• Early momentum makes a big difference. A partially cultivated plot with crops growing is far better than a fully cleared plot left unplanted.

What To Do Depending on the Season

One of the most common questions is:
“What can I do right now?”

Here’s a simple seasonal guide.

Winter (December – February)

Winter is preparation time.

Focus on:

• Clearing debris and overgrowth
• Digging and removing perennial weeds
• Adding compost or manure
• Planning your layout

You can plant:

• Garlic
• Broad beans (weather permitting)
• Onion sets (late winter)
• Bare-root fruit bushes

Winter work sets you up for success in spring.

Spring (March – May)

Spring is the easiest time to build momentum.

Focus on:

Preparing good seed beds

Sowing little and often

Keeping weeds under control early

You can sow:

• Potatoes
• Onions and shallots
• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Peas
• Spinach
• Salad crops
• Under cover (if available):
• Tomatoes
• Courgettes
• Squash
• Sweetcorn

Getting crops established early shows active cultivation and helps you stay ahead of weeds.

Summer (June – August)

Summer requires consistency.

Focus on:

• Clearing manageable areas
• Regular weeding
• Watering during dry spells
• Mulching to retain moisture

You can sow:

• French beans
• Beetroot
• Chard
• Spring onions
• Lettuce
• Turnips
• Late carrots

Even mid-season, you can establish productive beds for autumn.

Autumn (September – November)

Autumn is about preparing for next year.

Focus on:

• Clearing and covering beds
• Adding compost or manure
• Repairing structures
• Improving paths and edges

You can plant:

• Overwintering onion sets
• Garlic
• Broad beans
• Spinach
• Green manure crops

Autumn preparation makes spring much easier.

Your First Year & Plot Inspections

All new tenancies include a first-year probationary period.

During this time:

• Plots are included in routine inspections.
• We look for evidence of active cultivation and steady progress.
• Standards are applied consistently across the site.
• Progress matters more than perfection — but inactivity or unmanaged plots will be followed up.

If you are struggling, please contact the committee early. Open communication makes it much easier to support you and avoid problems.

Common Early Pitfalls

New tenants sometimes:

• Clear everything but delay planting
• Take on more than they can realistically maintain
• Install structures before establishing cultivation
• Stay silent if they fall behind

The key is steady, visible effort.

Getting Involved Early

One of the best ways to settle in is to get involved.

Joining a working party or helping with small site tasks helps you:

• Meet other plot holders
• Learn from experienced growers
• Feel part of the wider community
• The allotments work best when we all contribute in small ways.

If you’d like to help — just speak to a committee member.

A Final Word

Your plot does not need to look perfect.

It does need to show:

• Care
  
• Effort
  
• Active cultivation
  
• Consideration for neighbours

Every thriving allotment began as rough ground.

We are delighted to welcome you and look forward to seeing your plot develop.