You're excited to get started. The idea of getting your hands in the soil and tending your crops is the focus of your thoughts. But when you get there and see the empty beds it can be a daunting task. Knowing what to grow takes experience and that will only take time.

If you haven't dig out or created your vegetable beds yet then you might want to start with our Starting vegetable garden from scratch article.

After a couple of years you'll know what you like and have a stock set of vegetables that you like grow year on year. Until that time we recommend you try these 6 plants that every beginner vegetable grower should try. All are easy to grow and likely to give you very good harvests in your first year.

Many people toy with the idea of taking on an allotment. The thought of spending days or evenings pottering around or the dream of eating homegrown veggies is on the wish list of many. So why do so many people stop there? Is it the thought of all that work, or not feeling like they know enough to make a success of it?

People have many preconceptions of working an allotment. Some are accurate but most are not or can easily be avoided. In this article, I run through the main reasons for and against taking on an allotment and what you really need to consider when deciding if allotment holding is for you.

It is easy and quick to add paths and patios to your VegPlotter plan.

To find out how either read the article or watch the video below. If you have a path made out of a type if material that isn't available in VegPlotter. Then let us know here and we will add it for you.

There is a lot to take in when you receive the 'keys' to an allotment. It may have been lovingly taken care of right up to handover, or more likely, has been left to mother nature for 6 months or more. We are here to help, maybe not with the digging :) but certainly with advice and support to help you on your way to a very productive allotment.

This guide is intended for those who have already decided to take on an allotment or have just received the keys.

The traditional method is by far the most popular style of allotment in the UK. It's simplicity and costs to setup are it's key strengths. In this guide we describe the approach and talk through the steps and options in creating an allotment or vegetable garden in this style.