The First Steps | How to Start an Allotment | JB's Beginner Guide - Part 1

[@happydigging]

Most people taking on a plot first need to ask themselves: "Can I commit to spending at least two to three hours a week here, every week, come rain or shine?" If the answer is yes, then you are half the way there! 😊 Great video! 😃 Happy digging 🌱

[@NickSBailey]

100% so many new plotholders think they can do lots of work coming every day in the holidays then leave it for a few weeks or even months and it'll be how they left it when they come back, if only :)

[@JBNat]

Fantastic point this is. I am planning to do basically a whole episode on this but I probably should have mentioned it a little bit more in episode 1!

[@lucybarnard3954]

I was told by my “allotment boss” that I need to spend at least 12 hours a week at my plot!

[@happydigging]

@@lucybarnard3954 seems a tall order! 😬 I suspect your "allotment boss" may not have a full time job, three kids, and a spouse that also works? If only I could spend 12 hours a week on my plot! 😃 Happy digging 🌱

[@46FreddieMercury91]

I've had my current plot nearly a year. 90ft x 24ft, all couch grass and rubbish. I've removed the rubbish to a skip. I've cultivated 12 ft width this year, the rest has been covered with weed barrier since April ready for digging next January when all the grass is rotted down. Sometimes you have to use the head instead of the body. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of rubbish people bring to allotments

[@Plotonthehill]

I finally got my plot after a year and can't wait to get going.. I've followed all your videos, looking forward to this series 👍

[@NickSBailey]

I forgot a tape measure when I took our second plot on but found I could get decent measurements with google earth, because you can see many of the features in place (may be a couple of years out of date) I found I could use it to plan the beds on both plots and more recently to decide where the shed is going lol

[@thelightlysgardenallotment8050]

Haha, having grown veg in my home garden for many years (25), last autumn I was given 3 raised beds in our local allotments just five minutes walk from home. I have a full time job and now having started the spring season I realise I need even more space 😀 I don't do planning apart from very basic stuff, just plant what I grow from seed and that's it. No measuring or drawing plans yet it all work out in the end 😀

[@ladymawa]

Looking forward to this series …. Btw the sun on my plot rises in the east and sets in the west too 🤣🤣 …. I know what you meant but that really made me giggle. Good luck with your new plot! X

[@JBNat]

Hahahaha I realised I'd said that when I was editing 🤣

[@ladymawa]

@@JBNat good luck tomorrow with the potty club 🤣🤣 think they might pull your leg a bit with that lol x

[@helenhawkins4054]

I will never have an allotment, for many reasons but I know I will so enjoy watching your progress.😊👍✅

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much Helen

[@JanesGrowingGarden]

This is a great idea JB - people are always asking how to get hold of an allotment and what to expect when they get there! I must admit I just went around looking at completely the wrong things saying oh wow a lot - love it though! Thanks for the mention - I'm waving at you from a distance now! Well done!

[@JBNat]

hahaha thanks so much Jane! That is great to hear

[@stephenblaze4571]

That's a bit of good advice to new allotment holders looking forward to the rest of the series

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much Stephen! If you thought it was good advice then it must be pretty decent!!!

[@colinchick2692]

A video where nothing went wrong - unusual for you JB. Seriously a great video for people starting out. I dont and never will have an allotment but I do have a large garden and your comments are just as valid for me.

[@lindacano437]

lol

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much Colin! There's a first time for everything isn't there 😂

[@lindacano437]

I wish we had the opportunity to have our own allotment plots here in Kentucky (and a way to get back and forth to them everyday.)

[@bluumz-n-veg]

Fantastic series, I look forward to viewing future episodes! So much good and sensible info in this first one, too. Large garbage/trash receptacle: UK "skip" = US "dumpster" String trimmer: UK "strimmer" = US "weed wacker"

[@jerrygallagher-y9n]

I have been an allotment holder for many years this man is giving the best advice for new allotment holders that ive heard for many a year i still look back at old photos of when we first started great advice from a man who doesnt mind publicity i could give advice on most things but choose to listen to others listen to this man and you cant go wrong

[@JBNat]

@@jerrygallagher-y9n wow thank you, that is very kind!

[@Stayhumblefootieguy]

currently 43 and my mates just said take over his allotment as he is too busy for it needs a lot of work done but be a challenge

[@Carol-oc7mx]

I wish you luck on my local allotment site plot can't be passed on to friends or relatives as the contract is with the person that signed the allotment agreement and once that person no longer works the plot it will be offered to the next person on the list.

[@JBNat]

Good luck with it!

[@Carol-oc7mx]

A great video I'll be interested to see how things progress 👍

[@jennyjohnson9012]

Brilliant start to the series JB. Lots of very useful tips. Cant wait for the next video!

[@darrybush5293]

JB, very well done, this should be interesting, even though I don’t have an allotment plot, only back and front yard here in Southern California.

[@majordog2399]

Hi JB , allotment waiting lists in Edinburgh where I stay are brutal. They say it's an average 10 to 14 years but a study shows that in real time it works out to an incredible 90 years due to the huge waiting lists and nobody giving up their plots. Councils all over the country are just not prioritizing allotments in their plans.

[@JBNat]

Holy cow I've heard about some long waiting lists but that is next level.

[@WhirlyMerlin]

I second that the book, allotment month by month, is brilliant. 👍

[@gloriadavidson8599]

Good advice also really interesting, enjoyed the video 👏👏👏👏

[@Zin-yp3di]

Hi, literally been offered a plot today. Going to look at it hopefully tomorrow. So excited!

[@JBNat]

Wooo good luck! Hope this video gave you some useful tips 😁

[@Zin-yp3di]

@@JBNat your advice is really useful. Have made a list to take with me. Hopefully there will be other plot tenants to speak to when i go.

[@wildchook745]

I'm impressed by how well you pitch this series, JB. It's time to get the mowing going before the weeds take off as the soil warms. You inherited some lovely fruit trees and plants. In addition to being young and fit, I'm sure you'll whip your plots into shape in no time. These days, my joints squeak when I bend over, and I use my shovel to get me back up....Haha!

[@debbiegallett1125]

You did an excellent job.

[@JBNat]

Aw thank you Debbie!!

[@sharon1615]

Brilliant vlog JB 🥰

[@JBNat]

Thank you 😁

[@Roo-s_Life]

What a cracking, well presented and information packed video for anyone starting out. BRILLIANT!

[@JBNat]

Ahh wow, thanks so much Roo that means a lot coming from you!

[@debz_vegplot]

Fantastic video 👌

[@gardenerchris9369]

Great video JB looking forward to seeing more

[@ourallotmentdays]

Great video taken notes for our new allotment

[@simplifygardening]

Great 1st episode for the series JB ]

[@JBNat]

Thanks so much Tony!

[@tim8602]

I just got that email that one is free, but no idea where to start!

[@JBNat]

Go down and have a look first and see if it feels right :) hopefully this video helped a bit.

[@mamasoasisallotment6152]

Nice video- giggling though as I was sat in Lincolnshire watching your video wondering what I’d just seen blow past the window ( it’s a bit breezy today!) and 1 min later you said or you could be in Lincolnshire where it’s windy - spooky timing jb - it’s generally fab growing here though so can’t complain too much - just thinking about the time of year it would be a good idea to have a little sightseeing in summer I think too

[@johngoldthorpe1056]

It's looking good has you take on another plot JB looking to the future Getting ready to plan your next venture.has always another good video. Ps when you decide to have a couple of kids, You will have all the help on your plots lol. Take care john.

[@MaxVliet]

Im currently number 27 on the waitlist for an allotment where I live... I'm so excited lol!

[@JBNat]

Ooooooooooooh!! Depending on how fast the list moves that might be really close, or still quite far away, either way - good luck!!

[@jencannon1084]

Did you get there yet?🤞

[@MaxVliet]

@@jencannon1084 I did! I got it a month ago and have been busy digging and weeding and planting since!

[@spookess]

Great video. Even though I've had a plot for 2 years now, I'll be watching to see if there's anything I missed doing! Also - funnily enough, the sun rises in the east for me too 😉🤣

[@JBNat]

Hahahaha I really laughed at myself when I realised I said that in the editing.... doh!

[@laurastone3211]

How are you not a Blue Peter presenter JB, or at least on Country File?!! I've just been given my allotment and this video was super helpful. Looking forward to following along. take care, Laura

[@JBNat]

Hahaha maybe one day! Really glad you found it helpful 😁

[@lucybarnard3954]

Thanks I’ve just got my first allotment, lots to do it’s an exciting journey x

[@JBNat]

Fantastic Lucy!! Best of luck with it!

[@stephenterry6262]

Very good. Thanks JB.

[@stevethompson3153]

Great advice thank you 😊

[@julieneary5271]

Ah JB love your enthusiasm in the talk, but now it’s time to do the walk, it’s a nice day. If I were looking at your new 2nd plot for the first time I would be listing the jobs to do Strim it all completely, am I keeping them beds where they are, look around for anything worth keeping write it down, what’s going to be thrown out write it down. Take photos from every angle, go home after signing for it. Next visit, take a chair and your list, strim the lot, start on the plot putting things into piles for keeping, throwing away, measure your plot from all angles and write it down. Sit down have a cuppa a visualise your plot. Draw a wish list, shed, compost x 2/3, Greenhouse/poly tunnel, wildlife pond, wooden side beds or beds dug, grass paths or wood hip paths, do you want to do some-vertical growing include all this in your lists. Go home and do a rough sketch on how you would like it to look at least in the first year. Exciting having a plot to sort out. Because plot holders like to chat to one another, go with a list of jobs you want ticking off on each visit rather than just turn up, if you organise your time, it comes together quicker than being disorganised, above all sit drink and admire your handy work and progress, take as many photos as you can. Let’s see some progress JB.

[@irenesmith5676]

What about fires 🔥

[@mariusmarius4832]

Excellent 👍

[@JBNat]

Thank you!

[@jillturner8680]

What's an IBC? Thank you for this, just what I was looking for!

[@JBNat]

I don't know what it actually stands for, but it's a gigantic water container with a kind of metal cage outside for support!

[@jillturner8680]

Aaahh we have one on our allotment. I had no idea it was called that. Thank you for much for replying@@JBNat your channel is fabulous!

[@JBNat]

Ahh thank you so much! That is so kind

[@offgridnorthern]

Gosh! If I looked at that mess I would be totally discouraged. It wouldn’t be just the poor state of beds but looking at neighbours it appears that green houses and fencing aren’t maintained.

[@wildchook745]

Authenticity is the key here, and it’s better to be honest about your struggles and efforts instead of pretending to be something you're not just for the sake of KZbin content. Yes, it's a bit messy and it won't be easy, but JB's excited about the challenge and the opportunity to learn.

[@lindacano437]

@@wildchook745 I do better when I start with a disaster because it makes me happy to see how much progress I've made and keeps me going to get the garden even better.

[@JBNat]

If you think that plot is bad, you should have a wander around our site! I will be touching on the techniques I recommend to keep you motivated and engaged on your allotment later in the series..

[@Superutubeking]

Make sure you have time to do the work and maintain it

[@aaronkeeble2808]

Most importantly where did you get your jacket from 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@JBNat]

A TK Maxx special 😅 absolutely love it as its fleece lined.

[@susangarner9290]

What happened to the other one. No more please. Just concentrate on the first one.

[@JBNat]

hahaha the other one is still there and there will be plenty of videos on it Susan, don't worry!

[@LisaMay_HomeAndAway]

Brilliant advice thank you sooo much

[@JBNat]

Thanks for watching!