All prices are displayed inclusive of VAT.

Here in the UK we are just entering the prime planting season – and for many that means working on your allotment in preparation for the months ahead. However, many dedicated allotment sites now have long waiting lists; there are more than 150,000 would-be gardeners waiting for a plot to become free in England alone.

One way around this is to create a vegetable patch in your own garden. Here Lumberjacks, who provide garden sleepers in Ipswich and around Suffolk, outline the key steps you can take to ensure you have plenty delicious home-grown produce on your dining table.

Plan Your Allotment Space Ahead of Time

This isn’t just where you are going to put your vegetable patch, but also applies to its larger position within your garden. You need to think about things like the amount of sunlight and shade it’s going to get, and the quality of the soil.

There’s also the issue of actual size, and the spaces between the various crops, and around the allotment itself; you need to have a pathway nearby to ensure you don’t end up treading on (and destroying) your various crops. For pathing purposes, we stock an extensive range of paving options which you can browse here.

You may also want a garden shed or similar close by so you don’t end up carrying tools up and down the garden – we have a number of compact storage units which can help you in that department.

And, to check that all the measurements for your allotment are accurate, at Lumberjacks we stock this tape measure.

 

Clear the Area

Before starting work on your allotment, you need to make sure that the plot is completely clear of any weeds and unwanted debris. This can be long and laborious work but the more effort you put in the more you will be rewarded in the long run.

We stock plenty of high-quality digging tools, including forks, spades and hoes to help with the hard labour. We are also a licensed supplier of Ox tools in Felixstowe and the rest of Suffolk, meaning we have everything you need to get your allotment project started.

 

Get the Structures in Place

For many allotments, you could consider installing raised beds to maximise your planting area – our range of garden sleepers can help if you want to go down this route. (They include reclaimed oak sleepers, which we can also supply to customers in Needham Market, Stowmarket and across Suffolk).

You could also lay down some wire netting to protect your crops from pests, particularly in their early stages of growth. We stock chicken and rabbit wire netting which may be helpful in deterring any unwanted (and hungry) visitors.

You may need some sort of defined boundary around the edges of your plot (as well as a path up to it) – check out our various edgings here; we have a wide variety of styles available to match any garden design.

 

Get Planting

Obviously, the most important thing to do when planting your produce is to follow the instructions on the seed packets – they are there for a reason and will help guide you on where and how best to plant them.

The Royal Horticultural Society points out that some of the cheaper vegetables to buy (carrots, onions, cauliflowers) can be relatively cheap to buy from seed but will take up a lot of space in your allotment once they begin to grow. Other options may be easy to grow (and comparatively small), such as lettuce, herbs, Brussels sprouts and soft fruits, but the packets may be more expensive.

Some vegetables, such as leeks, cabbages, kale and parsnips, should be able to withstand the worst a British winter can throw at them, so you should be able to grow (and eat) your own produce all year round with some smart selections.

 

Garden Sleepers in Ipswich from Lumberjacks

As well as all the various product categories outlined above that can assist you with creating your own allotment, don’t forget to check out our special offers section here.

If you have any questions, you can call us on 01473 461394 or click here and fill in the online form.