I've only just got my allotment straight and the soil is a bit ropey in places. What are the best things to put in the rough spots?

Two crops are ideal for ropey old newly-cleared areas, couregttes (plus the squash family) and potatoes.

You'll still find seed potatoes around and you should be able to get them for next to nothing (10p a pack in B&Q last time I looked). It doesn't matter whether you choose a main crop or an earlt as we have a good long season here, but if you see one which is recommended as 'blight-resistant' that is a big plus when you are planting later than usual.

Don't worry about 'chitting' your seed potatoes (seen on the right) when planting late, just put them straight in.