Lessons I’ve learnt on the allotment and my goal of running a successful smallholding.

Karen Goldsmith, Senior Account Handler, Smallholding Team

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Since 2020, more of us have begun to realise that our life goals might have shifted. Many now aspire to a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Coupled with the rising cost of living we’re experiencing today, this has led an increasing number of people to explore the “grow your own” route.

With so many articles out there on “how to be self-sufficient,” it can feel quite overwhelming to even know where to start. Questions often swirl: I’ve never grown anything before, what if I don’t know what I’m doing? What if I can’t manage to grow anything? What if it’s too exhausting and I have to give up? What if I just don’t enjoy it? Do I have enough time to do it properly?

It’s a mix of excitement and apprehension. I certainly felt this way when I decided to embark on my own gardening journey in 2022.

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Getting started

I was determined, but I also didn’t want to bite off more than I could chew and risk ruining the experience so I decided to start small. My first step was to reach out to my local allotment association and put my name down.

I was allowed to visit and see the layouts, so I could assess the space each offered. Deciding what I could realistically manage was next. Growing up with parents who had a large garden and grew their own fruit and veg, I knew the basics, but I wasn’t sure how I’d find it myself. I felt most comfortable starting with a quarter plot, knowing I could always upscale later if I wanted to.

Since these plots were brand new, my first task was turning a bare patch of grass and weeds into something usable. Here are some lessons I learned along the way:

Lessons learned:

1. Make a plan. Measure your space and sketch out a few layout ideas. Even if you change things later, having a plan helps keep you organised.
2. Protect your hands. A good pair of gloves is priceless, espicially when battling thistles and stinging nettles.
3. Document your progress. Take before and after photos. It's a great morale booster to see how much you've achieved, espicially when your hands and arms are protesting.
4. Set small goals. Don't try to do everything at once. Dedicate a couple of hours, set achievable targets and then take a break, perhaps with a cuppa and biscuit. Remember to stay hydrated, especially if you don't have easy access to water.

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Making progress

Once the ground was cleared and the growing areas defined, I realised how much could fit into a 7.5 by 9-meterspace if I was careful. I found a second-hand greenhouse nearby, repurposed some fence posts to create a small fruit cage, and used old barn roof trusses to make edging for my beds. I even turned a large bucket into a wildlife pond and found a tiny bench to sit and enjoy my work. It was all coming together!

Next, I had to decide what to grow based on the season. I didn’t take on my allotment until May, so I had sometime to prepare. Although I started some seeds at home, I knew I’d need to be strategic. I also spent time chatting with experienced allotment holders, they know the ground and had years of practical tips to share.

Lesson Learned:

1. Potatoes are perfect for breaking new ground, especially when your soil is very compacted. In an ideal world, I'd plant them earlier but I found some great deals on seed potatoes, making them an affordable and easy way to get started.
2. Talk to people. You never know when you'll pick up some golden nuggets of advise and it's also a fantastic way to make new friends. I was on a plot with a path right next to me so many fellow gardeners stopped to chat. This led to me receiving surplus plants and sharing tips. Allotments have a wonderful 'sharing' mentality. If you don't need something, someone else might and you may get lucky with a freebie in return.
3. Brassicas are versatile. Many varieties can be sown througout the year. For example, you can sow in July and enjoy a winter crop of cauliflowers or spring greens.
4. Not everything has to cost a fortune. Check out your local Freecycle groups or Facebook Marketplace. Get creative, why buy an expensive fruit cage when someone nearby is giving away good fence posts and ground spikes? Repurposing material can save you money and add a personal touch to your garden.

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A year of growing and learning

After a year, including a winter with a greenhouse to start seedlings, I truly fell in love with my allotment. It became my escape, a peaceful place to switch off. Even in winter, I’d be there sowing seeds and enjoying the quiet.

I’ll admit, I got a bit carried away and bought nearly every seed I could find, eager to try everything. The challenge was finding space for all of them. In spring, I tried to cram in as much as possible, growing runner beans up arches, installing a pallet wall for salads, and experimenting with companion planting. But I soon realised I was trying to do too much in a small space. As summer went on, I decided it was time to upscale.

Lessons learned:

1. Enjoy the process. Gardening should be fun, not stressful.
2. Think about your space. Experimenting is great but make sure you have room to grow your plants on.
3. Get creative. Use vertical growing methods and co-planting to maximise limited space.
4. Starting small is smart, expicially when you're new. It's perfectly ok to outgrow your initial plot and move on to bigger spaces.

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Onwards to a “New” beginning

I started searching for a new plot by reaching out to my allotment association. I was provided with a list of upcoming vacancies as well as some plots that had been handed back or were no longer being used. Since no directly connected plots were free, I had to decide whether to manage two separate plots or move everything to a new one. I evaluated the options based on their features and quickly realised I’d be taking on a full plot and moving.

 I considered a potential plot that had been empty for months, overgrown with weeds and brambles but with a shed and three mature fruit trees. It had some great features, but would require a lot of work to make it usable. After a final walk-through and a fresh perspective I noticed that a lot of weed membrane had been laid over the area. Although the weeds looked terrible, they were easy to pull out since they had just sprouted through the gaps in the membrane. The brambles looked like the biggest challenge, but most of their stems appeared to be on the neighbouring, also empty, plot. If we could cut through them, there didn’t seem to be too many large roots to dig out.

Despite feeling a bit nervous, I decided I needed to take a chance and give this plot my best shot. I confirmed with the allotment association that I would take the new plot, but I requested some overlap to allow time for moving everything.

Lessons learned:

1. Consider all options. Sometimes what you think you want isn't the right choice but the best option often reveals itself.
2. Don't rush decisions. It's ok to take your time and weigh your options carefully.
3. Get an extra set of eyes. Others might offer valuable insights or perspectives you hadn't considered. A reality check can highlight potential issues or boost your confidence by reminding you of what you've already achieved.
4. Give yourself time. That three-week overlap to move everything was incredibly helpful. It was still busy balancing work and other commitments but it would have been much more stressful without that extra time.

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