Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: flynn95 on April 30, 2013, 15:16
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I've just found out I can visit a plot at an allotment near to where I live on Saturday which I'm very happy about!
So, any tips on what to look for, questions to ask or points to note? I will take photos and measurements as well.
Thank you
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Look at the plots around to give you a general idea about how busy/active the place is. Lots of uncultivated plots means lots of weed seeds for you.
Ask about water onsite.
Ask about flooding/drainage.
Ask about the rules for things like putting up that shed or greenhouse that you want. What if you don't want that tree that someone else planted, or want a tree of your own?
Is there a shop?
What's the access like if you want a load of manure delivered?
I'm sure I could think of more. Basically, have an idea of what you want to do and when you're there imagine yourself doing it. Is there anything there/not there that makes it hard to do what you want? If so, ask.
Good luck and I hope it's what you're looking for.
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Is there old carpet or lots of glass? Both are soul-destroying to sort out from the soil.
More important - do the people down there smile or scowl at you? I am on a wonderful site with friendly and positive people. I know other people who are on sites with surly and obstructive people. It will really make a difference to how you view your time down there...
sav
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I never thought about the people. The ones on my site are nice so it never occurred to me some people might not be.
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Also think about how near a hedge or trees might be - too near and you've got a possible shade/root/dry earth problem. Then again, unless they're very close they could be OK if they provide shelter from the prevailing wind - check what direction that is before you visit (and take a compass with you to confirm the orientation of the plot).
Don't be too put off by an overgrown plot. I'd rather take on an overgrown one in a perfect position than a pristine one in a poor place.
Good luck.
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I never thought about the people. The ones on my site are nice so it never occurred to me some people might not be.
My neighbours are tolerable - to the left, just annoying, to the right and interfering pain in the ***! :D
We're all sociable enough though!
There's plenty of really nice peeps and those who don't have anything to do with the association and just keep themselves to themselves.
I'm in the social association gang - and friends with the resident tea maker! ;)
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The ideas are great below, I however didn't look at any of it, I was so excited it could have looked like a right dump and I would have said yes. It's on a hill which now causes problems with a wobbly toddler but we still love our mini hill of peace and quiet. We can't all be perfect that's why I married hubby.
I stood on the grassy hill and grinned and said it's all mine. :wub: maybe let your head rule your heart.
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I stood on the grassy hill and grinned and said it's all mine. :wub: maybe let your head rule your heart.
That is how I got my plot!
I could see it would be hard work but as you say 'it was all mine!' :D
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I stood on the grassy hill and grinned and said it's all mine. :wub: maybe let your head rule your heart.
That is how I got my plot!
I could see it would be hard work but as you say 'it was all mine!' :D
All the old boys said, ahh no-one wants that plot but somehow, something just said don't say no and I am so glad we took it and the one next door when it came up, and I am glad my dad took the one on the other side recently when that came up too lol it maybe hilly but it still grows good veg :lol:
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I stood on the grassy hill and grinned and said it's all mine. :wub: maybe let your head rule your heart.
Me too :) :) :) Because I had waited so long I was just grateful and even though I knew I had my work cut out for me I decided to leave the blinkers on and deal with each bit as I went along.
I'M GLAD I DID ::) ::)
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Our plots are all on a hill - the lower ones are quite steep.
One of my chicken chums built raised beds on his slope so effectively terraced it.
Hard work, but he will be able to garden well into old age as he won't need to crouch down to garden. ;)
My plot on the upper slope is a little less steep.
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Hello from one slope to another lol. I have something they don't .......... A slope. :lol:
I need to post some photos again as I can't find my old post from the start, I have been rubbed out ::)
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No-one wanted my plot, which is why I got it. It was alleged to be so badly infested with wireworm that 'everything turned to mush' and it looked like a field of clay dotted with huge stones.
Just embarked on our third year here, rarely see a wireworm these days, soil is workable in most beds and crops are just fine
Luckily we are slightly above the flood plain too.
Position is the most important imho, including being overshadowed by mature trees/hedges, followed by distance from a water source and then stuff you can do something about, like weedy, stony, shed/no shed etc
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All good questions if you have a choice of plot. I suspect most of us get a choice of one plot, take it or leave it. So, how bad would it have to be to walk away and be prepared to go to the bottom of the waiting list again?
Question would be. "If I turn this one down, would I got to the bottom of the list, or still stay at the top?"
I would only turn down a plot if it was in deep shade under the trees. Everything else you can sort of cope with. (except persistent vandalism - which you wont find out until too late :( )
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Thanks for all your replies everyone, much appreciated.
To be honest I think I'll take it regardless of the conditions because waiting lists are long here, although the issue of overhanging trees could be a problem I suppose
Lots of things for me to mull over and discuss when I go on Saturday. Is it presumptious to take the fee with me? :)
I'll let you know what it is like. I'm off to excitedly read a couple of allotment books I downloaded on the Kindle this afternoon and get inspiration :)
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We got our half plot last year after a very long wait so I know what you mean about taking the plot regardless. Have a wander round the site and see what's going on, ask (the site rep?) what others find easy to grow/not grow so you can get going with some stuff that will keep you inspired through the hard work. Get a feel for the site and as others have said you will 'know' if its for you.
We have a real mixture of people on our site. Old timers (next to us on one side) - ladies who have had their plots for 30+ years, the menfolk who are 'unsure' of us 'young(ish) wimmen' who have got plots now - they want their plots to get away from us! Hee hee! They can be found supping their cider on a Sunday morning. Always very helpful though. Loads of young families have got plots on our site (us included).
Honestly, you'll love it! Let us know how you get on. Hope you've got The Essential Allotment Guide by John Harrison on your kindle ;) ;) :D :D. We have found it and this site invaluable for everything allotmenteering.
Enjoy!!! :D
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I paid for mine on the spot. I was luck to have 4 to choose from.
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Well we took it! It's a half plot, slightly ramshackle greenhouse and shed which we were ecstatic about, large bed which we'll split into raised beds, compost area and a fruit bed containing gooseberries, raspberries, some form of currants and a mystery tree which I need to find out about. There is a lot of debris and junk at the back of the plot but it's of the useful variety so that's ok. Haven't got the key yet but I'm allowed to go down and start ground clearing whilst I wait for it. Went down today with my 3 year old son and cleared a small fraction. He really enjoyed digging and was filthy by the time we finished!
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Congrats! now the fun starts! :D
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Mine was and still is a ramshackle shed!
Hoping for a new one in the next few weeks ;)
I've had it 10 years - someone else may want it now though :D