making progress with derelict allotment

[Doctor Deb]

Did the glyphosate, worked fairly well but by no means 100%, then strimmed and raked off as much as possible, then rotovated (WHAT a palaver renting a rotovator for the day turned out to be!....)
Anyway, allotment looking like a possible source of veg for next year. Ive planted some onion sets and have garlic and shallots to go in later. Also got some peas to try over winter. Any advice for these? Am expecting delivery of raspberry canes at time of year I won't feel lke making supports, so could anyone suggest an economical and simple way to do this now? The plot has no fences, and is all but derelict except for two stalwart neighbours who have been in residence for decades, neither of whom is growing raspberries. Is this a clue?....
I've been searching the "interweb" for brassica plants, because my forward planning ended in three failed attempts to germinate spring cabbage and brussels sprouts beyond the seed leaf stage, despite following KG's Andrew Tokeley's advice (almost) to the letter. Anyone know of a supplier?

[Jenny Green]

I can only really help with the peas question I'm afraid. They will susceptible to pests over the winter so need to be as protected as possible. Mice and slugs come to mind. To protect from mice I would germinate and grow them on in pots. I use woodash to protect against slugs but to keep this in place all winter you'd need to cover the peas with cloches.
An easier crop to overwinter is broad beans.

[John]

Hello Deb
I'd be inclined to give the brassica sowing one more go. I know its getting a bit late. You and I live at about the same level and latitude and I've sown this late in previous years and got away with it. Sow in small seed trays, transplant into modules then finally plant out during a mild spell.
As far as raspberries go, do make sure that your bed is as weed free as you can possibly make it. They are shallow rooting plants and if you get stuff like bindweed in the bed its very difficult to get rid of. Also think carefully about where your bed is going to be as raspberries will be there hopefully for ten years or more. Get as much well-rotted organic matter into it as you can.

John