growing on wasteland

[green thing]

My 45m2 of plot was stuffed full with veg last year and I'm looking to extend this year over the wall
been told by the council that we can't grow on the wasteland around the site
so I'm thinking of doing some weeding over the wall and accidentally dropping
some seed potatoes in the holes
they don't know what knotweed looks like so hopefully they won't recognise a potato plant
the only concern I have is with the wild life
we have a plague of rabbits around the site moles and I've seen badger tracks and poo near my plot
should go over the wall and risk having potato crop eaten and my plot taken off me by the veg police

[Florence Fennel]

If your plot's at risk I wouldn't do it. Can't you grow anything at home, in containers if you've no garden? Good luck whatever you decide.

[green thing]

thanks florence
we only have a small back yard which is full of containers already strawberry's on top of the walls
can't fit anymore in
we had eaten virtually everything from the plot within 3 months
we need double the size at least to make it worth while

[Alison]

That is a teeny plot I have sympathy for you. However, I'd be nervous about the council putting weed killer all over the wasteland in and attempt to clear it up . Are you on the waiting list for a proper sized plot or are they all that small round your way?

[Hilary B]

I can't see the council taking your plot away if you don't admit to any connection with 'stray' veg over the wall, but as Alison says, there is a risk of loss, whether to weedkiller, wildlife, or simply theft!
Of the wildlife you mention, rabbits are the most likely to be troublesome, and I suspect spuds would be off their menu (mostly at least).
The alternative is to decide which veg will give you most meals/eating satisfaction per sq ft of your plot, and grow more of those, and less of the others.

[green thing]

That is a teeny plot I have sympathy for you. However, I'd be nervous about the council putting weed killer all over the wasteland in and attempt to clear it up . Are you on the waiting list for a proper sized plot or are they all that small round your way?

thanks alison
I had been on the waiting lists for years when I heard about this site when I first enquired about a plot I was told they had all been taken
Had to kick up a fuss to get a plot
then I was offered the smallest plot on the site
I was told that's it take it or leave it
whilst other people had there pick of plots on the site
once you take a plot that's it your remove from the waiting list
your only allowed one plot

plot range from 50m2 some about 70m2 and a few 120m2
single pensioner has 120m2, family of six offered 45m2 plot
some are covered in hardcore ? some grassed over with a few raised beds
slides and swings on them

Hilary B
The alternative is to decide which veg will give you most meals/eating satisfaction per sq ft of your plot, and grow more of those, and less of the others.

I've just been growing the basics which we eat the most off
I think I planted the spuds too close together last year as they got
blight very quickly
my thinking is that they take up a lot space moving them to the other side of the wall
will free up a lot of space to grow other thing
and non of the wild life seems to eat them

[Two_Sheds]

once you take a plot that's it your remove from the waiting list
your only allowed one plot

Can your spouse/parents/partner apply?

I think I planted the spuds too close together last year as they got blight very quickly

You won't avoid blight if it comes in, it's on the wind. Trying to keep the foliage dry will help avoid it, as will growing first earlies, which are usually out of the ground before the blight comes along

[green thing]

Can your spouse/parents/partner apply?

tried that a few years ago and was told no
except for some who are will in and have!!TWO PLOTS!!!
thinking of putting my 4&5 year old on the list at grandmother address
so when they leave school they will be near the top of the list

Two_Sheds
as will growing first earlies, which are usually out of the ground before the blight comes along

ta TS

we got the key for the plot in mid may last year so didn't get the spuds in until the end may / june last year so I think I was a little bit late putting them in
didn't bother chitting them last year just put them straight in they seem to do ok
got my first earlies all ready to go in will see if chitting makes any difference this year

[jackie j]

Will they let you swap with someone who finds a bigger plot too much. Its what we do except now all full plots are being made into half plots.

[jackie j]

One way round it then ( read back properly ) is to maybe join the committee

[Nicos]

Have you considered growing upwards???

ie climbing beans, tumbling tomatoes/strawberries etc by creating a fence type structure??

If other peeps on the plot have permanent frames for runner beans ( or sheds)then it might be worth constructing a few along the Northern aspect of your plot ( facing South) so as not to put the rest of your plot in shade.

You could create an interesting 'wall' using pots attached to the frames. Yes- they'd need a lot more watering- but maybe that's your answer for now??
I certainly wouldn't risk planting on the wasteland and risking your plot

I'm sure between us we could come up with some interesting ideas for a 'vertical lottie'!

[green thing]

Will they let you swap with someone who finds a bigger plot too much. Its what we do except now all full plots are being made into half plots.

I've asked some of the plot holder who have done very little on there plots and they
all want even bigger plots we have lots of unused plots which have been allocated and are not being used

I'm on the committee but we have no control over the wait list or plot allocation evictions

Nicos
Have you considered growing upwards???
I'm sure between us we could come up with some interesting ideas for a 'vertical lottie'!

thanks nicos you can read my thoughts
I'm moving my french beans doing away with an A frame and fixing trellises to the fence.

for the strawberries been collecting 2 ltr milk bottles cutting the bottoms off and sliding them onto 2x1 timber batten by the handles than fixing to the fence with a bit of plywood

I've had a few problems with the tomatoes or lack of then last year put your cup of tea down the OH kept picking the flowers off

As for my winter onions got picked and pickled when I was away visiting relations

been looking at climbing the courgettes I've seen it done on holiday in Spain

As for interesting ideas my greenhouse on frame above my shed just to wind them up

anymore ideas would be welcome

[Two_Sheds]

tomatoes or lack of then last year ... OH kept picking the flowers off

That's so funny

[Mikey]

My dad, runs their local allotment site, being a councillor, he has influence over the secretary and is very selective over who gets a plot.

You might be on the list, but if he knows you and thinks you are a waste of space, then you will only get an overgrown plot if its available.

He saves the best plots when they become available for what he determines to be true gardeners. These are people who have proven themselves on the site first, they get offered to upgrade to a better spot, before their plot becomes available to the waiting list.

I'm not saying this approach is correct before anyone shoots me down in flames. I will say though that there are only two relatively poorly tended plots on his site, and they are being reallocated this year.!!

[Two_Sheds]

Mikey, I think that's a rather good policy. Good plots quickly run to ruin if the no-gooders get hold of them