It's a new year which means new beginnings and time for a fresh start!

Running an allotment can give you exercise, an opportunity for a private outdoor space and of course that all important access to fresh produce. That said, it can easily become a chore, and before you know it, the plot falls into disrepute.

Last year, I set out to build and do certain things to improve the plot, but life got in the way, and I've not achieved them.

So, with a new year upon us, I'm looking at things a bit differently, and so forth, here are my allotment goals.

Keep goals simple

Rome wasn't built in a day, and this is also true for allotments. Many times I've heard and muttered platitudes like "getting there”, “I think I'm making progress..." or "there's light at the end of the tunnel..." This mindset can make an allotment feel like it's never complete. The truth is, it's never complete, so best to give up on the show gardens of our imaginations.

When visiting an allotment, go with one goal in mind, complete that simple task and then walk away. Completing these goals will spur you on for the next visit and one day, you'll look around and see how far you've come.

Grow what you like

This is a simple one, but so gratifying. If there's a piece of fresh produce that's hard to come by, is better than what you get in the shops, or just grows better in your area - grow it.

For me, this is true of runner beans. Steamed with lashings of butter, these are a taste of summer. Runner beans you get in the shops are (in my opinion) never as good, are bony and are limp by the time they reach the kitchen.

It's great to sit down at the table and say to one’s self - I grew that!

Keep a diary

I keep a blog called Carrot Tops Allotment, whereby I share victories and losses as I go, but you can track whatever it is you do on any platform you prefer, be it an app, a social media channel or good old-fashioned pen and paper.

Looking back on how far you've come every now and again and seeing what mistakes have been made can make for a better gardening experience further down the line.

Waste nothing

Times are tough at the moment - but that doesn't mean life can't go on. It's amazing what you can do with very little. Plastic yoghurt pots are great to use as pots, vegetable peelings and garden waste can be composted and if you're feeling experimental, you can even grow from garden scraps.

The list of things we can reuse goes on and on. Before binning anything, take another look and ask yourself, "Can this be of use at the allotment?"

For example, one thing I want to try next year is to save up some yoghurt pots, or anything that can hold compost and give my garlic and onions a head-start indoors before planting them outside.

This can be done with bulbs too, getting them ready for spring. It's worth having flowers around here and there as this will encourage pollinators into your allotment or green space.

There we have it, let's see how the year goes, but in the meantime - let's say goodbye to 2022 and raise a glass to 2023. Best of luck to all you gardeners out there!

Did you like this blog? We asked Adam from Carrot Tops Allotment to give his top tips on planning and prepping allotments for 2023. 

Read more of Adam's musings and expert advice on his blog, Carrot Tops Allotment, or follow him on his Instagram to keep up to date with his allotment adventures!