UK Allotment Gardening

Has anyone ever had an Allotment before? Do they even exist anywhere other than here (in the UK)?

I'm getting an Allotment this weekend and am looking forward to growing my own fruit and veg over the summer.

It's my first time growing food (rather than flowers....or smoke) so I'm looking for some advise on what are some hardy, beginner friendly plants to grow.

I'm currently thinking Tomatoes, Cucumber, stawberries, beans (soy, kidney and runner), leeks, potatoes.

I should have 210 - 300 sq/yds to work with so potentially a lot can be done with it.

Any advise, suggestions or experiences to share would be welcome, doesn't need to be on an allotment but anyone who has grown (and enjoyed growing) their own food.

If this thread doesn't get much action I might turn it into an Allotment Grow Journal.

I suggest you do a lot of 'companion planting' to deter aphids etc. (marigolds and borage are great and plant your alliums amongst the rest of your veg)
Tomato variety's that we found to be very successful are Gardeners delight,Tigerella and sweetie.
Cucumber - Marketmore ....fantastic
Potato - Charlotte,Maris bard,Rocket and Swift (earlies and xtra earlies)
Lettuce - Little gem...fast cropper
Pea's - Petit Pois - Waverex
Cabbage - Red Drumhead

I'm also a fan of companion planting. Plant tomatoes with carrots, basil, borage and marigold.

Here's a link to a great companion planting guide.

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

Happy gardening.

loads and loads of spuds they will brake the soil up for following years crop if the soil is very hard and not been turned over in years. while your at it get some lowryder seeds and sick them in the middle of some stingy nettles they are small and will not be seen and they will finish off before the nettles die off.

EXCELLENT link thanx

misshestermoffitt

Cheers for the advise, I'll definately be trying me some companion planting.