Bradley Fold Allotments

Jobs for spring on the allotment

Spring is the busiest, most rewarding time on the allotment. From sowing under cover to preparing beds and planting out early crops, this guide covers what to do each month and practical tips to get the best start to the season.

Quick safety & site notes

  • Wear gloves and sturdy footwear; use sun protection on milder days.
  • Keep tools clean and sharp to reduce disease spread.
  • Respect site rules, water points and communal compost areas.

What to sow now (indoors / under cover)

  • Tomatoes (early varieties) — March
  • Peppers & chillies — March (warm, steady heat)
  • Aubergines — March (warm)
  • Leeks — March for transplanting later
  • Early brassicas (calabrese, small cabbage types) — March under cover
  • Early salad leaves and microgreens — continuous indoor sowing

What to sow now (cold frames / unheated greenhouse / early sowing)

  • Broad beans — sow March for early crops
  • Peas (early varieties) — March if soil workable; use pea sticks/frames
  • Onion sets / shallots — plant from late Feb–March if soil is dry enough
  • Early carrots, beetroot, parsnips — late March into April in light soil
  • Spinach and spring greens — sow March–April
  • Potatoes (early varieties) — chitted and planted from late March depending on frost risk

What to direct-sow outdoors (later March–May)

  • Salad leaves, radishes — March–May succession sowing
  • Runner beans & French beans — wait until soil warms (late May in cooler sites)
  • Courgettes, squashes, pumpkins — sow under cover in April/May and transplant after last frost or direct sow late May
  • Sweetcorn — late May (soil warm)

Preparing and improving the plot

  • Clear debris and old plant material; compost healthy material and remove diseased remains.
  • Add well-rotted compost or farmyard manure to beds in early spring.
  • Fork or lightly dig beds where needed (no-dig: top dress with compost is fine).
  • Check and repair beds, paths, tool store and water system.
  • Improve drainage in heavy soil with raised beds or organic matter.
  • Mark out crop rotations to avoid repeating families in the same place.

Planting out and hardening off

  • Harden off seedlings for 7–10 days before planting out: gradually increase time outside and reduce watering.
  • Plant out brassicas, onions, early potatoes and peas when soil is workable and after last severe frosts. Use cloches or fleece to protect tender plants.

Pest & disease tips

  • Control slugs and snails early: hand-pick, use traps or iron phosphate pellets where allowed.
  • Protect brassicas with netting to prevent cabbage white and birds.
  • Rotate crops to reduce soil-borne disease; avoid planting the same family in the same place year-on-year.
  • Remove and destroy heavily infected plants; practice good tool hygiene.
  • Encourage beneficials with insect hotels, flowering strips and minimal pesticide use.

Watering & mulching

  • Mulch beds after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds (straw, bark, well-rotted compost).
  • Water young seedlings regularly, ideally early morning or evening; use rainwater when possible.
  • Check irrigation taps and hoses for leaks.

Compost & fertility

  • Use well-rotted compost or manure to build soil structure and fertility.
  • Apply balanced organic fertilizer if needed, based on crop type.
  • Consider a soil test for pH and nutrient needs.

Tools & equipment checklist (spring)

Fork, spade, hoe, rake, trowel, secateurs, gloves, wheelbarrow, watering can/hose, cloches/fleece, seed trays/propagator, plant labels, twine and pea stakes.

Community tips for plot-holders

  • Share surplus seedlings and seed packets with neighbours.
  • Join group tool or water rota if available.
  • Report site maintenance issues to the committee early.

Month-by-month checklist (March–May)

March

  • Clear beds, repair structures, check tools.
  • Sow tomatoes, peppers, leeks, brassicas under cover.
  • Plant onion sets, early potatoes (chitted).
  • Sow broad beans and peas if soil workable.
  • Begin mulching and compost application.

April

  • Harden off seedlings; plant out early brassicas and leeks under protection.
  • Sow carrots, beetroot, radish, spinach and salad outdoors in lighter soils.
  • Watch for slugs; protect young plants.

May

  • Plant out tomatoes, courgettes, squashes after last frost or under cloche.
  • Sow runner and French beans (late May when soil warms).
  • Continue succession sowing of salads and carrots.
  • Keep up watering, weeding and earthing up potatoes.

Quick wins for new plot-holders

  • Start small: focus on a few high-value crops you like to eat.
  • Grow fast salads and radishes for early satisfaction.
  • Invest time in soil and compost — this saves work later.
  • Label everything and keep simple records of sowing dates and varieties.

Further resources

  • RHS website for detailed crop timing and variety advice.
  • Fellow allotmenteers for site-specific tips and shared experience.
  • Seed packet instructions and local garden centres for plant hardiness ranges.