Not sure whether to accept this plot or wait for another....

[Nerdofprey]

Does anyone know how to estimate how much sun a plot of land will get? I have been allocated an allotment but I saw it for the first time today and it is right in the top corner of the site so it has a 6m tall hedge along the top and side. The plot itself is small, about 5m by 12 metres and is long and thin.

If I stand at the top of the plot with my back to the top hedge the plot is west facing, in that position the other hedge is on my left. I know that west facing can be good for afternoon sun, so I think I am ok with the top hedge but I want to know the other hedge won't then block out all the light.

I could reject this plot and wait for another but allotment waiting lists are long and i could be waiting years! The corner position could make it quite nice and private if the light is alright, I would want at least a good 5hrs of sunlight on a summers day. I don't want a completely shady plot as I am mainly in it for the summer crops , I want to grow squashes, beans, sweet corn etc, not wait until the hedge dies back, and just do winter planting!

[Martin H]

If you are facing West with your back to the top hedge, you'd be facing South with your back to the side hedge, so light shouldn't be a big problem.

But I would be much more worried about such a tall hedge sucking all the moisture and nourishment out of the ground, which would make growing a struggle.

Can you turn this one down without upsetting the committee and losing your place on the waiting list? If not I'd accept it anyway, give it a go while keeping my eyes open for a less problematic space.

[Chestnut]

https://www.suncalc.org/#/40.1789,-3...09.29/08:46/1/

http://astro.ukho.gov.uk/nao/services/ais58.pdf

Try these, plus find your plot on google map to work out where north is in relation to your plot.


https://empressofdirt.net/shade-vegetables/

Then, this one to get some ideas of what you might plant.

Don’t forget that the bits of your plot furthest from the hedges will get less shade, so grow your sun loving crops in that corner!

[Jay-ell]

If you are facing West with your back to the top hedge, you'd be facing South with your back to the side hedge, so light shouldn't be a big problem.

If your back is against one hedge and you're facing West with the other hedge on the left then this second hedge will be on the south side of the plot.

6m tall - thats 20 feet. Martin is right about the hedge sucking the moisture up. It's roots will run in towards the centre of the plot for quite a few feet.

[Martin H]

If your back is against one hedge and you're facing West with the other hedge on the left then this second hedge will be on the south side of the plot.

Oops yes, my bad. I don't like the sound of this plot at all, now. I'd be looking for a polite way to hold out for something more promising.

[Chestnut]

Or take the plot and politely ask if you can have first refusal on the next polt which comes available?

[veggiechicken]

Hi Nerd and welcome.
Whose hedges are they? What are the plants in them?
Can they be cut down to a reasonable height - say 6'.

[Jay-ell]

or even 6"

I've a hawthorn hedge on the east by north east side of the plot - sucks up moisture and gives morning shade in the summer but also shelters the robins and thrushes and produces berries for them.

[Nicos]

Why not pop along and speak with the Peeps on the adjacent plots and see what their thoughts are.
For all you know it could be a brill plot.
They are likely to understand the ins and outs of it -on most sites neighbour's enjoy a chin wag, bit of gossip, a moan or two

If you are still unsure ask what they would do. Maybe speak with the site manager to see if you keep this plot going and another one comes up would they give you first refusal and offer this one to the next person?
For all you know this is exactly how this one came up for grabs.
Weekend is the best time to meet the neighbours...they'll be starting to clear their plots whilst the weather is good....

[Nerdofprey]

Thanks for all the advice, I went back to the plot today 3 times to assess the light(obsessive)9am, 11.20 and 3pm. In the morning the majority of the plot was in shade, at lunchtime at least 2 thirds was in the sun, by sat 3 it was half and half sun and shade, but the shade was mainly caused by the hedge on the long edge (very tall hawthorn which overhangs the fence). I noticed that the plot opposite was less affected as the hedge was only fence height there, so maybe I can get the council to sort out the hedge on my end too? The hedge is outside the allotments.i did speak to some allotment owners and they swore that there wasn't an issue with shade in these allotments in the summer, I was just seeing shade because the sun is lower at this time of year.

Its frustrating as I really want an allotment but I don't want to sink time and money into an allotment just to be wanting to switch ASAP. My village only has about 15 quarter plots available total, so there isnt lots of choice and the waiting list is slow. These are also allotments that only allow basic veg growing, no chickens, no dogs, only tiny sheds, no polytunnels arc etc

[Nerdofprey]

Why not pop along and speak with the Peeps on the adjacent plots and see what their thoughts are.
For all you know it could be a brill plot.
They are likely to understand the ins and outs of it -on most sites neighbour's enjoy a chin wag, bit of gossip, a moan or two

If you are still unsure ask what they would do. Maybe speak with the site manager to see if you keep this plot going and another one comes up would they give you first refusal and offer this one to the next person?
For all you know this is exactly how this one came up for grabs.
Weekend is the best time to meet the neighbours...they'll be starting to clear their plots whilst the weather is good....

The people in charge of these allotments work slowly, I might enquire about the possibility of a switch. This one became free as they did a crackdown on all the overgrown allotments, so several have become available and have been allocated at once. I think some of the plots have been dormant for years.

People on site seem very friendly and the plot at the bottom of my plot seems very productive and well cared for.

[Jay-ell]

Well, I suppose it comes down to plot or not. If the list moves so slowly when is the likelihood of getting your next offer? If you refuse a plot do you stay at the top of the list or move back to the end?

[Logunner]

Take it, work with what it has to offer..

And, yes talk to the council about having the hedge dropped in height.

[Nicos]

So....my guess is that you will go for it

[Baldy]

who knows - someone might come along in the middle of the night and trim the hedge down a bit... something similar happened at my plot a few years ago...