New Allotment

[BeardyMan]

So I had the chance to take over an allotment last month , the en we decided against it... then I thought, WTF? What on earth was I thinking... so made a call today and we're in. Biggest patch on the site apparently going to be sharing it with the wife's granddad. This is ideal, cause he knows what he's doing but can't physically do it any longer, and I've got no idea what I'm doing but i'm happy to take orders and do the manual labour. Beats going to the gym too.

Sooo, what would you lot recommend for an amateur to start with? There's things there now, but will be rotovating the site in the next few weeks so it a blank canvas. Obviously not much is going to happen over winter, as far as I'm aware there's not much to be planted at this time of year?
Got lots of books to read through on what to plant and when, anyone got any suggestions for different methods, like the straw bale thread, that's nice and easy for a beginner like me?

Cheer guys 'n gals