Help

[angiebacardi]

Hello,
Im, getting an allotment in the next few weeks so I`d like a few tips on what to look out for in choosing a plot when the agent takes me to look at them. Please HELP
Angie

[supersprout]

Quick checklist:-

mare's tail or couch grass (grrrrr)
sheds and buildings
water facilities (butts or stand pipes if butts sheds are important)
privacy / security
established plants (rhubarb, currant bushes, asparagus etc)
neighbours!
slope and direction
shading
access by car
any restrictions
council delivery of freebies - compost, woodchips

Good luck!

[pigletwillie]

Check out firstly site security. It is imperative that you can grow without worrying about vandals.
Secondly check out if and where the water taps are. Try to get a plot near to one if you can but if a clean plot is a bit further away go for the clean plot as you can always get a longer hose.
Thirdly check that you can build a shed, greenhouse, polytunnel or even plant fruit trees as some plots have silly site rules. if these building blocks are in place or available then it a case of seeing what the plots are like and picking one that you fancy.

[ugly gourd]

Keep an eye out for builders throwing out old guttering put this on your shed with a down pipe you will collect lots more water Pallets ideal for compost heaps and can be taken appart to make gates etc wander around the allotments and poach some good ideas that have been tried and tested!!

[nick the grief]

They seem to have covered everything Angie, one thing to look for (I guess it comes under Neighbours) see if the folks around you are Organic If you are & they're not you won't be happy, otherways around & they wont be

Once you've got your plot see if the site can help you , sometimes they will rotavate them for you to get you started, also our site collects any tools that are left & if people take on a plot & don't have any we will supply a basic set for a donation to the kitty on hte understanding we have them back when/if they leave.

Also, measure everything up so you can do a scale plan of the site on graph paper then fotocopy it so you can alter your plans as you go along till you've got everything just as you want it.

In the mean time get hold of a good book or three hey are listed in threads on this site

The Vegetabe expert by Hessayon, Grow your own Veg by Joyce larkom & if your really flush The Allotment Handbook by Caroline bradley

These will give you almost as good advice as you can get here..... but not quite

[angiebacardi]

Thankyou I do appreciate all tips
Angie

[angiebacardi]

seeds

can I use out of date seeds

[Alison]

You can use out of date seeds and most will be fine although some types may give you problems germinating. Once they're growing there's no difference to how they would have been in previous years. I think somebody posted a thread about which seeds keep best etc, may be worth a search.

[bubblewrap]

A couple of weeks on the T V prog " A year at kew" they germinated seeds
200 years old

[Phill of Eastbourne]

I got my allotment last year so am still learning the rope, but the selection is over!!! The veg rows are best running North -South so check the orientation of the plot. Steep gradients make for hard work pushing or holding back barrows of soil etc.
Check for dreaded bindweed - if tghe plot's riddled with it, move on!

Where's the nearest water? Is it heavily shaded by trees? Has the plot a shed?

Just a few starters. Hope it helps.

[madderbat]

Hi Angie Bacardi & Phill of Eastbourne, welcome and hope you enjoy your time on the vine.
As far as choosing a plot goes I can't add much to the experts here, but would suggest that you suss out your neightbours - I've just been reading Benacres' thread, so watch out, keep your boundaries clear and visit often - to keep the others off!
Best of luck both, see you around.