Advice on which plot to choose

Hi,

I am just about to take on my first allotment plot and have a choice of two to choose from. I have experience growing but only on a small scale in the backyard so have a lot to learn.  I would appreciate advice on which of these plots to choose before I start.

Plot 1 - they think it has topsoil in it, but has a large (approx 1m x 5m, and 1m tall) overgrown compost heap to clear, and is a little smaller than plot 2.

Plot 2 - little information given, its a slightly bigger than plot 1, does not need clearing, but has had a fire on it.

I am leaning towards plot 2, the larger size and not needing clearing, although I am unsure about the soil and the fire. 

I would appreciate your input as I don't want to start and realise I should have chosen the other! Thank you for you advice in advance.


Plot 1 images:
and


Plot 2 images:
and


(Picture links edited to prevent other imgur images being visible.)

plot 2 for me

Who would strip good topsoil from a plot? Nobody!

There's absolutely no reason, (except to try and eradicate couch and stuff like that, but that takes hard work) so, try and ask who the previous tenant was, and if he or she was elderly, then perhaps, they just chucked all the compostibles on the Plot 1 heap as it was an easier option for them!

I'd look seriously at Plot one, as the greenery on the top is just a scrape off with maybe a bit of couch and a few big weeds built in, but when you return the good stuff to the rest of the plot, you'll be digging it all out anyway, so you can sort out the nice stuff from the nasty stuff!

In fact, thinking further, I'd go for the first one definitely. There are signs of individual beds, so it wasn't just a place to chuck veg down, but a thoughtful allotment, with a burning bin as well - always a good sign. You really need to find out more from the others down there, and they'll probably give you several stories, but you're clever enough to know who is right - aren't you!

Best of luck and good wishes; take Plot 1, take out the heap, and you'll be quids in, but be prepared to have a largish job on your hands - like we all have here..;0)

Compost heap on plot 1 may not be just compost!
On our old site several plots had "compost" heaps, full of wood, metal, plastic, carpets, etc.
You may be inheriting a skips worth of heap.

I would personally go for plot 2.

Other thing to think about is which if any gets more sun as that can't be added and which if any dries out quicker or floods less.

Happy growing no matter which you choose, you'll get there with hard work and enjoyment.

Andy

If it was me I'd take plot 2 you don't know whats under that compost heap 

I would always prefer compost heap. They might have removed the weedy top layer and added lot of top soil and compost. The other I have taken with less weeds and couch dint resulted as better plot than my overgrown, full of couch roots plot