What to grow in your first allotment year

By the Tilthwick team

Sources awaiting check

Draft: preview builds only.

In your first year, grow things that cope with less-than-perfect soil, don't need daily attention, and give you a harvest you'll enjoy. Here's a starter list, grouped the way you'd rotate them.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a classic first crop on cleared ground. Chit the seed potatoes first, then plant earlies from around March and maincrops a little later. Earthing them up as they grow keeps the tubers covered.

Onions and garlic

Onion sets (small bulbs) are simpler than seed: push them into the soil in spring, or plant overwintering types in autumn. Garlic is usually planted in autumn, as most types need a cold spell to form bulbs.

Broad beans and runner beans

Hardy broad beans can go in during autumn for an early crop, or in spring. Runner beans are tender, so they go out after the risk of frost has passed, up canes or a wigwam.

Courgettes, beetroot, chard and salads

  • Courgettes: a couple of plants is usually plenty.
  • Beetroot and chard: sow direct from spring.
  • Lettuce and salad leaves: sow little and often for a steady supply.

What to leave until year two

Crops that need a lot of space for a long time (such as Brussels sprouts) or careful timing are easier once you know your plot. Permanent crops like asparagus need ground that's completely free of perennial weeds.

Use the planner below to see how your chosen crops fit your beds and rotation.

FAQs

What's the easiest thing to grow on an allotment?

There's no single answer, because soil and weather vary. Potatoes, onion sets, broad beans and courgettes are popular first crops because they're forgiving.

When should I start planting on a new allotment?

Whenever you get it. In autumn you can plant garlic and some onion sets and broad beans; in spring almost everything starts.

Allotment plot planner

Worked example

For a half plot (5 poles, about 126 m²), a quarter already clear, 4 hours a week, a shed and compost bays:

  • 10 beds of 1.2 m with 45 cm paths, beds running across a plot about 19.5 m by 6.5 m
  • Rotation: 8 beds in four groups, moving one step each year
  • Broad beans: room for about 64 plants; Onions (sets): room for about 256 plants; Cabbage: room for about 56 plants; Carrots: room for about 1480 plants; Potatoes: room for about 86 plants; Courgettes: room for about 14 plants
  • Clearing: about 95 m² to clear, roughly 12 weeks at 4 hours a week (our rule of thumb of 2 m² an hour)
  • A 5 cm compost mulch over all the beds: about 3.9 m³, or 78 bags of 50 litres

Based on: National Allotment Society (NSALG), RHS. Crop spacing from RHS grow-your-own guides.

Sources

  • National Allotment Society (NSALG): A traditional full allotment plot is 10 poles (rods or perches), about 250 square metres awaiting check
  • RHS: RHS crop rotation: group crops (legumes and onions, brassicas, potatoes, roots) and move each group to a new bed every year to limit soil pests and diseases checked 24 Oct 2026
  • RHS: RHS: chit seed potatoes before planting; earlies and maincrops are planted from about March to May awaiting check
  • RHS: RHS: onion sets can be planted in autumn (overwintering types) or spring awaiting check
  • RHS: RHS: garlic is usually planted in autumn (most types need a cold spell to form bulbs), or in early spring awaiting check
  • RHS: RHS: hardy broad bean varieties can be sown in autumn for an earlier crop; otherwise sow in spring awaiting check