Vegetables from a typical sized allotment.

[DWSmith]

I'm reading that the typical allotment size is around 250 square meters.

Is this size based upon providing enough vegetables for the average sized family at the beginning of the Dig for Victory program? If so, what size family can be supported with a 250 square meter vegetable plot?

Thanks!

[Bigmallly]

I would imagine a full size plot could keep a family going all year round with surplus.

[ESBkevin]

BM is about right but of course the skill of the gardener (and available time) plus an element of good fortune from weather and pests play no small part.
A good diverse mix of crops and a practical planting regime to maximise the seasons and more that a passing interest in preserving to bounty to keep you going through the leaner cold months.

Lots of people used to do it, but by no means everyone. As a nipper fresh veg always grew at home.

[Thelma Sanders]

Unfortunately the site that has the full set of Dig For Victory allotment plans, is currently not available.

Try a Google image for DFV allotment plans and enlarging them to a readable size. You can see what veg were being grown at what spacing etc. They were to feed a family of 4, but didn't include many of the modern crops we now take for granted

[DWSmith]

Unfortunately the site that has the full set of Dig For Victory allotment plans, is currently not available.

Try a Google image for DFV allotment plans and enlarging them to a readable size. You can see what veg were being grown at what spacing etc. They were to feed a family of 4, but didn't include many of the modern crops we now take for granted

Thanks Thelma! Family of 4 is what I'm looking for. Now I need to know what size the DFV allotment would have been. I'll assume the 250 square meters until I find out otherwise.

[Cadalot]

I have two plots one is 75m2 and the other 100m2 they are deemed half plots, a lot depends on how you decide to work the plot, I could not do the clearing and sowing rows and rows without a path structure. I favour 8ft x 4ft or 2.4m x 1.2m beds, but I find that better for me to cope with and like the infrastructure of paths and a hose pipe system so I don't have to drag the hose around. but it means I have less area to grow within.



It supplies my wife, two daughters & one of their partners, plus my sister and her daughters with spuds beetroots, then my sister in law with various excess crops.

[Thelma Sanders]

I found this

The first official use of the phrase ‘Dig for Victory’ was on leaflets issued by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries in November 1939 calling for ‘500,000 allotment holders’ as part
of the Government’s Grow More campaign. An order was made granting urban authorities
wide powers to take possession of land which they could either cultivate themselves or let
out to individuals, generally one tenant to a 10 square rod (90x30ft.) plot.

here https://stannsallotments.files.wordp...archlatest.pdf

[JanieB]

I actually read about allotments, the statuary requirements to provide, sizes etc this evening at our Town council meeting. The article was in our county councils monthly magazine. Unfortunately I can't remember the details as I was trying to concentrate on the meeting at the same time.

I'll try and go to our council offices tomorrow and have another read. And take notes.

One thing I already knew was that we are obliged to provide them as long as there are 6 of our electorate needing them. What they don't legislate for is the money to buy or rent the land and that the people who own suitable land would sell or lease it anyway.

[Thelma Sanders]

One thing I already knew was that we are obliged to provide them as long as there are 6 of our electorate needing them. What they don't legislate for is the money to buy or rent the land and that the people who own suitable land would sell or lease it anyway.

If 6 or more residents, who are either on the electoral register or who are liable to pay council tax, in any one borough, urban district or parish make written representations to the council as to the provision of allotments, the council is under a duty to take their representations into account when deciding whether there are a sufficient number of allotments available.

However, where a council is of the opinion that there is demand for allotments in their borough, urban district or parish, they are not under an obligation to make land available for allotments within a specific time limit.

Allotments and the law: Provision, letting and sale of allotments - InBrief.co.uk

So yes, they need to note the demand for allotments, but not really obliged to do anything about it.

[Snadger]

250 square metres is deemed a full size plot and should feed a family of four (two adults and two children.) To do this the plotholder would need to be knowledgeable and devote a lot of hours to its upkeep to maximise cropping.
Maximising tasteless crops is not a priority for most folk these days as the taste of fresh vegetables and fruit and growing stuff that is expensive to buy in the shops is usually the priority.

[Alison]

I have a full sized plot and am totally sufficient in veggies all year around but not fruit. There are only two of us but I give to my mum and various friends too plus make preserves etc for gifts. I grow for all seasons and all veggies and am always confused when people have the space but only use their plot in summer - the phrase "putting it to bed for winter" always seems odd as t least half my beds have harvesting crops in deepest winter and the remaining ones contain stuff coming in for spring or green manures. So long as you plant out at the right time it isnt actually much work.

[Alison]

Maximising tasteless crops is not a priority for most folk these days as the taste of fresh vegetables and fruit and growing stuff that is expensive to buy in the shops is usually the priority.

Whilst taste is important to me my main drivers are reduction of food miles and the removal of chemicals from my diet.

[DWSmith]

250 square metres is deemed a full size plot and should feed a family of four (two adults and two children.) To do this the plotholder would need to be knowledgeable and devote a lot of hours to its upkeep to maximise cropping.

There are both parts to what I was looking for. Thanks Snadger!

I have the space but lack the knowledge. I'm working on the knowledge part.

[vixylix]

Yes it was 90ft x 30ft - so roughly 250 metres squared!

[Miss Mousetrousers]

There is plenty of knowledge to be had on here, but every gardener is different as to their soil, aspect, available time and money, personal preferences for certain veg etc and we never stop learning, so use this year as a trial for your plot area with this caveat - don't set your sights too high (as in don't expect to fill your tummies, fridge or the freezer this year). First, prepare your soil well by double-digging and incorporate as much well-rotted manure, compost (including mushroom compost), sharp sand and grit if it needs it for drainage. Secondly, make a diary of what you sow, when, how it's doing, and how you could improve things for next year. Thirdly, watch it like farmers do with their animals, having a look as often as you can and getting a feel if something isn't right. Fourthly, just enjoy the whole learning process and treat yourself to a trug to bring your harvest home. No matter how small it may be, you will gain a sense of pride and so will your family.
enjoy