[moonrakermagpie]

Hi,

If it is not a taboo subject, could I ask your opinion?

With reference to an allotment, or two to be more precise, but owned by separate people.
If you were unable to manage more than half of the allotment for “your favourites”, what in your opinion would be the best return per given area.

I mean which plants would you consider would give you the best return for the least upkeep? In particular the least amount of watering and weeding.

Can be edible of non edible, just the best return…if you see what I mean!!!

Cheers Steve

[gypsy]

Onions are fairly self caring.

[digalotty]

runner beans and courgette are big croppers and cut and come again leaf and swiss chard

[Ice]

Why do you ask Steve?

[moonrakermagpie]

Why do you ask Steve?

Well rather than leave it unused I would prefer to try and fill it with "something". Have considered some stinging nettle for eating and for the compost heap.

Cheers

[Aunt Sally]

On our site anyone who cannot manage to upkeep all of their plot has half of it taken away and let to someone on the waiting list. 

Allotments are in such sort supply nowadays and the waiting lists so long that unproductive plots are not acceptable.

[gypsy]

On our site anyone who cannot manage to upkeep all of their plot has half of it taken away and let to someone on the waiting list. 

Allotments are in such sort supply nowadays and the waiting lists so long that unproductive plots are not acceptable.

That is a good idea, it takes the pressure off the people who want a plot but it is just too much for them to cope with, but do the new comers not get a bad reception sometimes from people who were reluctant to give up some of their plot even though they did not cultivate it.

[Aunt Sally]

No not usually as we give them a choice - Lose all the plot or only half.  They are usually quite pleased to be allowed to keep half of it.

[Pompey Spud]

I'd suggest Squashes/Gourds.

Lots of growth to supress weeds. Just needs water.

Don't go with the nettles. Hard to control and may annoy neighbours when they spread.

[tosca100]

We were asked if we wanted a whole or half, and as there is just us we said half as things like salad and tomatoes I will have at home. That's if the council ever get they're ****** in gear and get the site up and running!

[zazen999]

Why do you ask Steve?

Well rather than leave it unused I would prefer to try and fill it with "something". Have considered some stinging nettle for eating and for the compost heap.

Cheers

I'd cover it with cardboard [with a mulch of manure underneath if I had any]. Then plant through it with main crop spuds and beans [to be left until dry and used as dried rather than as green beans]. One or two days work and you can leave them to it until August/Sept. And the odd winter squash in the corners to roam all over the place. Plus when you dig it over, all the weeds will be weaker and the soil richer from the cardboard.

[Jodie A]

Spuds are good, as are parsnips and leeks if you want to take up space for several months. 

Best return for the pocket is that which is easily storable, pumpkins/squashes. or if you have a large freezer, runners and french beans, mangetout, sweetcorn.

I'm guessing you're round Devizes way, so you should have a long enough season for the pumpkins if you get them going now-ish.

[moonrakermagpie]

Just out of interest.......how can you work out where someone posts from, as I cannot remember quoting where I live when I regestered?

[barbarella]

Perennial herbs - chives always come up again.  Rhubarb.  How about flowers for cutting?  I always try and find a space for sweet peas.  And wallflowers and sweet williams which can raise from seed and use to fill spaces in the garden to flower the following spring.

[Jamie Butterworth]

Just out of interest.......how can you work out where someone posts from, as I cannot remember quoting where I live when I regestered?

Where are you from?