[rachelsco]

my lovely sister just been to see her allotment. its not in a bad state, they have free pig manure delivered, free compost but no water tap on site, (tho they do have water butts and can obtain water at the other allotments over the road).  she wants to grow a few dwarf fruit trees and have 4 beds for rotation.

Do others think that this is going to pose a problem  (i mean the lack of a tap)...chance would be a fine thing, lol,
thanks rachel

[Beetroot queen]

People do cope without taps not sure I could but I would if I have too.

[snowdrops]

No you can transport water My other allotment site didn't have water so it was water butts all round. I was able to get an IBC tank cheap it held a 1000 litres I think,then everyone started getting them,we were on a slope so I moved 2 water butts down the slope 1 1/2 way down & 1 at the end, when I got there I used to connect them with a hose & transfer the water downhill to save me walking so far to fill the watering can.

[Beetroot queen]

We shouldn't be asking this after last years weather, no shortage of water last year and non in the last 48 hours either. Lol maybe we should stop cursing it. 

[sunshineband]

One of our local sites has no water available, and when the water butt supplies run low, folk transport it from home in large plastic bottles like drinking water comes in for water fountains, and those soft polythene bags with a tap on them that you can buy for wheelbarrows.

They seem to get by well enough

[RJR_38]

One of our local sites has no water available, and when the water butt supplies run low, folk transport it from home in large plastic bottles like drinking water comes in for water fountains, and those soft polythene bags with a tap on them that you can buy for wheelbarrows.

They seem to get by well enough

All well and good if you have a car! As a non-driver I would struggle on a site like that

[Kajazy]

We don't have water at our allotment site. It teaches you good practice:

Collect as much rain water as you can
Water seedlings in well, then leave them to find their own water deeper in the soil
Mulch well after rain
If/when you do water, water a LOT on fewer plants rather than drips and drabs over a large number of plants - this encourages the roots to go down rather than remain shallow.
Keep adding organic matter to your soil - it helps retain moisture
Space your plants further apart if necessary.

[rachelsco]

thanks for you replies everyone.  of course she will manage, where there is a will there is a way also she has transport.  how much watering will the fruit trees need to get them established? sound advice from kajazy, thanks for that at least i wont have to dedicate half my plot for her spuds for chips lol

[Beetroot queen]

thanks for you replies everyone.  of course she will manage, where there is a will there is a way also she has transport.  how much watering will the fruit trees need to get them established? sound advice from kajazy, thanks for that at least i wont have to dedicate half my plot for her spuds for chips lol

My fruit trees got hardly any, mine you they went in the same year it rained and rained and rained and rained. I would only worry about the first month or so giving them a bit of extra tlc after that they can get on with it.

[toasted]

she might find this method pretty handy
http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/#movie

[snowdrops]

Put the fruit trees inin the Autumn/Winter. Possibly as bare root plants.