1. Keep it short
Keep long grass down and encourage neighbouring plots to do the same. This will reduce slug damage because long grass is a breeding ground for slugs.
2. Carrot carefully
Carrots are an allotment favourite, and deservedly so. However, the big risk when growing carrots is carrot root fly. There are three easy ways to reduce carrot root fly damage: firstly, by growing resistant varieties like resistafly; secondly, by growing carrots under permanent, 17g fleece; and thirdly, by growing them in containers above 2ft high.
3. Seed swap
This is a fantastic way to exchange excess seeds for vegetables you don’t currently grow in March (NB this can be done via post). You could also do a plant swap around late-April.
4. Succession plant
Succession planting is perhaps the most powerful thing you can do to increase harvests, and it’s not as common practice as it should be. If you plant winter vegetables after spring and summer harvests, for example, you’ll have fresh food 365 days of the year.
5. Water first
Try and water early in the morning rather than at dusk, which will only encourage slugs towards your seedlings for the night.
6. Slug out
If you do suffer from slug issues, try and raise as many salads and brassicas in modules on the windowsill as you can. Let them grow as big as possible and then transplant them. Larger plants are less appealing to slugs and they stand a far better chance at survival.
7. Give shade
Grow leafy greens like kale and lettuce in the shadier areas of your plot. This will allow sun-loving crops like potatoes and squash to flourish in brightness. Growing lettuce in shade also reduces the chance of early bolting, allowing you to enjoy harvests for longer.
8. Save time
Dedicate a patch of your allotment to runner beans and squash. These two vegetables do not require rotation and will save you a lot of preparation time in the long run.
9. Less is more
If your time is limited, grow only 4–5 of your favourite crops such as potatoes, squash, runner beans, beetroot and leeks. They will be much easier to batch and result in huge gluts of produce which you can then store.
10. Take note
Keep a notepad and pencil with you during the growing season to make note of things you’d like to improve – maybe the raised beds are too long or the compost bins are taking up a prime sunny spot. Then, come winter, you can work on these improvements.
11. Mix it up
Try a few new vegetable varieties every year. This will help you work out which ones to grow again and which ones to blacklist. Push yourself to try unusual vegetables which you’ve never grown before… this year I’m growing chickpeas, with great success!
12. No dig
If you haven’t yet, give no-dig gardening a go, as it doesn’t require huge amounts of compost and makes weeding much easier. This is because the method avoids digging un-germinated weed seeds to the surface to sprout.
13. Branch out
If you have a small space like a tiny patio, balcony or garden where you live, use it to grow salads and herbs in containers. That way, you won’t have to go to the allotment for every harvest. Cut and come again lettuce is fantastic for this and frees up space in your allotment for longer term crops.
14. Flower power
Grow flowers around the boundary of your allotment. For example, marigolds and nasturtiums are great companion plants: not only do they attract beneficial insects to help pollinate your plants, but they also help to combat pests. I also love growing sweet peas for a fantastic show of colour and fragrance – a real treat for any allotmenteer!
15. Stay positive
My final tip is to focus on your successes. Every gardener experiences failure, but the fabulous thing is there’s always next year. Don’t dwell on failures. Instead, recognise what’s happened for next year and then enjoy the things which did work.
