[Tinbasher]

It is exciting isn't it. I am very jealous as I am on the waiting list for an allotment. I am pretty certain of getting one this autumn/winter as some new ones are being created. But as with all these things it is taking much longer than expected. So I can't place my seed order until I get it even though I know exactly what I want   . .

I can't wait!

I've just taken on a new and recently created plot on a new site set up by the council.  Its only 12 x 12 yards, though I aim to have two at some stage in the future.  There are 14 plots in all.  Cos of time spent waiting, as in your case, and as each stage has been done and with all the wet weather this year (though it would have still happened whether or not), each plot became heavily weed-infested.   They were only put out to rent in late July this year having been 18 months in the making.  Already with a lot of labour, the soil is far from ideal. There's still loads to do in the way of digging and enrichment.  Don't bank on getting a new plot that's going to be plain sailing and perfect ground, especially at the beginning.

I've wondered about seeds and things, along with excited co-tenants, but have counselled caution and not to overdo things, especially with every variety of everything.  Loads of weeds are ready to pop back up for ages yet.  I'm aiming just to work a third, or maybe a half of the patch, and if I can get that amount single dug (hopefully) and a third of it manured, I'll be satisfied.  Two thirds of it is now covered with black plastic and if it has to stay that way for a year, then so be it.  I can keep rolling it back as I get round to working it.  Spuds and leeks are all I'm going to plant next year, maybe a few beans if I can get round to digging out a decent planting hole for them.  I'm not planning to go for too much, new site or not, to avoid disappointment.

[muntjac]

you wont need to wait that long matey ,leave the plastic down for a week and lift then kill what weeds are there with hoe or poison .recover and then leave another couple weeks as you turn the soil over more weed seeds wi come up just carry this on til feb and then look to plant ,leave plenty of space between rows as i do then hoe when needed

[Tinbasher]

you wont need to wait that long matey ,leave the plastic down for a week and lift then kill what weeds are there with hoe or poison .recover and then leave another couple weeks as you turn the soil over more weed seeds wi come up just carry this on til feb and then look to plant ,leave plenty of space between rows as i do then hoe when needed

Tisn't just the removing weeds as also a realism about how much ground can be dug and improved before (a) any ground frosts and (b) before early Spring.  I've strung out a third N to S and covered the rest.  Already, a billion green shoots are poking back out of the uncovered bit.  I may just basically go over this bit by hand and with a fork or rotovate again.  This coming weekend definitely, it's supposed to be dry.  I'll only realistically get enough manure (if that) and time to properly dig over this one third before next season.  At least if the rest is covered it's not going backwards again.  If I can get more worked, of course I will.  The placcy has been on about 3 weeks now after a good rotovate.  Are you saying maybe uncover it and rotovate again?  And then cover it again?  And poison too eh?  Just Death, that's what I want, whilst introducing Life piecemeal.

[Oscar Too]

yep thats the best way imo get to know the lettings manager, i know because i am the lettings manager for our plots and if i can see the person is keen and willing to do the work then i will sneek them in faster rather than chance somebody i have never met and hasent taken the time to come and introduce themselfs. maybe its the wrong way but its my way and so far nobody has let me down YET lol

As someone who has waited over 18 months for a plot I'm afraid I take exception to nepotism winning over waitng lists.  The wait list is there for a reason and the only fair way to allocate plots is to use it.  Fine if there is no wait list but if I'd discovered people getting plots ahead of me simply because they showed up on site and pestered or because they know the holder of the wait list there would be hell to pay.  It's one thing to help out a current plot holder but to get your own plot you should go through the existing set up and if thats a wait list then you should have to have to wait.

It's only nepotism if you are related to the plot manager  

Seriously though, there's a mismatch between incentives which you can exploit to get your plot.  By turning up and getting to know people, and accepting a half-plot, you are showing some commitment and stick-to-it-iveness.  This reassures the plot manager that you're not someone who is going to do one weekend and then let it go to weeds.  They like people like that as it makes their job easier.

The wait list system in my area is over-subscribed with people who thought it would be a good idea but are not longer interested, or have moved away, or whose circumstances have changed.  The chap in the council doesn't have the time or inclination to go through the list leaving messages and waiting for people to bother to get back.   As a result the list is terminally clogged while plots lie vacant.  The only influence I used was a winning smile and a bit of politeness and flexibility, and everyone has a result.