That time of year again!

All the seed catalogues have landed on the door mat and it's time to decide on next years' plan of action. Usually no problem but we're hoping to have our new allotment site ready in spring 2011!

I basically know what I want to grow in my back garden and I have a good idea of what I want to grow on the allotment BUT will the allotments be ready in time?

I want to get my seed potato, onion seed and pepper seed order in early but how much should I order?

Our Allotment site at present is totally overgrown with brambles and saplings, we have approximately 30 plots buried beneath!

Do I take the chance that all the volunteers pledging to tackle the clearance materialise?

I'd be far more confident if I just had "my" patch to clear :(

 

In worst-case-scenario your veg seed will keep until next year, don't you think?

Some things such as Parsnips are very short lived, so perhaps buy seeds for anything short-lived at the garden centre later and only if the Allotment is all done on time?

 

I'm not that bothered about actual seeds, sowed old parsnip seed this year with great results, it's things like seed potatos and asparagus crowns, not cheap to buy but I don't want to miss out on my preferred varieties and I don't hold much faith in our local garden centres stocking the varieties I am keen to grow! :(

 

Ah! Not possible to keep them back until next year, I agree.

I grew my Asparagus from seed, kept them in 2L pots the first year, and planted out the following Spring - saved me a year and my plants had far more spears than folk who posted pictures of their bought-in crown. So if you have a year to kill that might be an option if you can look after the pots through the Summer.