[jmc1949]

Congratulations on getting your plot and welcome to the site. As others have said take the full plot, you don't have to work it all in one go and if you can't cope with it then you can give it back.

[clairebeau]

Well I've been back for another look and I've decided to follow your advice and have written another email to let them know I'll have the whole plot.  Bet they think I'm a right pest changing my mind.  So I feel happy to blame you lot if I can't cope ha ha ha. Only joking, you'll be a lifeline!

I met the neighbour on the next plot and she's lovely and encouraging.  Her husband popped his head up from out of a bush and gave me a wave    They were getting excited about the newts in their pond so I've come home excited too as a pond is on my lads list of things to build.  I'm worn out already!

I can't remember if I told you that the site is owned and run by the parish council, they can charge what they like. Plus, if I was a resident in the village I'd get a reduced rent, and if I was 25 years older    There is NO water but the other plot holders that I've spoken to said that it doesn't cause them a problem    We can have a shed and  light bonfires so we'll be using that spare bit of plot as you've suggested, along with composting and somewhere for our dog to keep watch over the whole affair. Oh, and the BBQ and a bench or 2.  I think I'd best win the lottery!

Well...there we go.  Thanks for all that help and advice, you've all been so friendly and I'm very grateful!  I've only used this site for my chickens in the past but now I hope to read everything and no doubt will find it more useful than any book I could buy.

Thanks guys.

Claire. x

[Hesse2509]

Can I just ask what you experienced guys regard as a 'full plot'? On the allotment where I have taken my first plot this week, I had the choice of taking on a 2.5, 5 or 10 perch plot (approx 65 sq yds, 130 sq yds or 260 sq yds). I went for the 5 perch option, which although it has a nice shed  requires a hell of a lot of work; and am starting to think from reading this that I may regret not getting 10 perches in the time to come.

[Benandbill]

clairebeau, congratulations, we are very happy for you!  It's very exciting indeed when you first get your plot.  By the time the excitement wears off (IF it ever does - mine doesn't seem to have 18 months later) you will have the new excitement of going there and seeing the lovely tasting produce growing out of the ground and taking it home and cooking it for Sunday dinner 

Our life has been transformed by having our allotment as we only have a small back garden with loads of pots and baskets of flowers.  I have my little plastic greenhouses to help nurture the veg to a stage where it can be planted out in the allotment.

[Growster...]

Can I just ask what you experienced guys regard as a 'full plot'? On the allotment where I have taken my first plot this week, I had the choice of taking on a 2.5, 5 or 10 perch plot (approx 65 sq yds, 130 sq yds or 260 sq yds). I went for the 5 perch option, which although it has a nice shed  requires a hell of a lot of work; and am starting to think from reading this that I may regret not getting 10 perches in the time to come.

Round here Hesse, a half plot (different positioning due to a carve up some years ago), is about 124 s.y. gross, excl paths between plots).

We also have a full plot (again, different shape), which is 293 s.y. gross (excl paths between plots).

So we garden just under 14 rods.

If you want to grow fruit, then you'll probably want more space at some stage! Can you get  another half and still use the one you've started on and has a good shed?

[Hesse2509]

Round here Hesse, a half plot (different positioning due to a carve up some years ago), is about 124 s.y. gross, excl paths between plots).

We also have a full plot (again, different shape), which is 293 s.y. gross (excl paths between plots).

So we garden just under 14 rods.

If you want to grow fruit, then you'll probably want more space at some stage! Can you get  another half and still use the one you've started on and has a good shed?

It sounds like I have a half plot then, but that's fine for my purposes for now I think, as I don't really have any interest in growing fruit other than the row of raspberry canes that appear to already be in place. The thing is Growster I had to wait 3 1/2 years to get what I have, and I'm not sure that if I wanted a full plot I'd be able to skip the waiting list as a current tenant; or if indeed I would have to join the queue all over again.  Maybe that's something to look into after I've spent this morning trying to reclaim the compost heap from a rampant bramble!?!? 

[Yorkie]

A traditional allotment was 10 rods / poles i.e. 300 sq yards.

[Growster...]

Hesse, you'll have great fun organising your half plot. We had, until by sleight of hand (i.e. we pushed the parish council on the demand for another plot through just a teeny weeny bit because it had been uncared for for years), just a half plot, and I'd drawn up the plans for next year, with everything in it's place.

You'll be fine on half a plot, and with no spare space, it'll be a dream to work on!

As you don't need fruit, (apart from the raaas) I'd be quite happy now!

Started digging yet...;0)