The plot measures a standard 10 metres wide by approximately 20 metres long, running north south. Although enclosed on 3 sides by existing fence, the front of the plot was open, so the first task was to erect a rabbit proof fence of chickenwire to keep the marauding hordes out.  Next was to define a series of compost bins as well as an area to put manure. I'd already decided that raised beds would be best for the site.  The idea with these is that because you don't walk upon them, they don't get compacted.  So once the initial outlay of materials and preparation is over you can employ the no-dig method, giving them an annual dressing of compost or manure and letting the earthworms mix it all up. The soil was heavy clay, and as you would expect in January, was severely waterlogged and difficult to dig.  Ideally you dig over your beds in autumn and let the winter frosts break down the clods for you, but I didn't have the luxury of time.  Despite incorporating a few bags of compost and sand per bed, digging my first few beds resulted in huge balls of clay that dried rock solid - not the most ideal of growing conditions.  Not wanting to spend subsequent weekends smashing up big clods into smaller clods with a sledgehammer, I made a mental note to find what labor saving devices were out there.

Plot 37 that I had taken over last belonged to a retired police officer who never really got to grips with it.  For the last year it had remained fallow under a cover of plastic sheeting, so I was spared waging war against grasses and annual weeds that new tenants normally battle with.  I wish that I'd taken a photograph of the site at the beginning, but I didn't get round to this for another 8 months or so.  I can only say that under the sheets most of the plot resembled a muddy quagmire.