Unexpectedly offered an allotment - help!

[Storming Norman]

Hi All,

I'm a bit addicted to veg growing at the moment so around 8 weeks ago I put my name down for an allotment - and was told it would be 2 years. Very normal for around here.

Fine I thought - time to plan and consider how I would re-arrange my current growing in my garden. Of course I don't have much growing space here, and have to juggle a lot [spacing goes out of the window] but I can wait. I have started moving my plot over to fruit of various sorts, but of course the trees etc are small presently, and this change is limited by my need to grow my veg.

I have just dug a new mixed bed at home for additional veg!

Someone must have told them I was just made redundant - now they have offered me a plot, or will do this Sunday.

Not that I am complaining far from it, but I am in serious panic mode - can I ask for some honest help and advice?

1. Thankfully the plots are small - 50 or 100 sq metres I am told. Which do I chose - apparently I do have this choice. To help me decide can anyone suggest how much time it takes to work one of these plots when set up?

2. I eat veg and loads of fruit, my husband eats some but not that much - he is not interested in helping. I already give away a bit of that I can grow. Most of my family is out of the area.

3. I have a green house at my home, as well as a re-planned but small veg plot, shed and lots of compost bins. The soil is much better now as a result of a lot of work last year. What of my produce should I move to the allotment, which do you think is better grown in sight of home?

4. I do like to go out and pick for dinner, but could not do this at the allotment, which is part of the local park and locked up before sunset. There appears to be no vehicle access, apart from a walk through the park.

5. Due to space I don't grow much in the way of potatoes, carrots, peas or any onions/asparagus, so I want to expand but obviously would prefer to continue using my garden for some produce. This may mean a funny sort of veg rotation- will this work?

Sorry to rattle on but I am in shock and could use some practical advice to make the right decision on this - right now I can't see the wood for the trees.

Thanks,

Ann

[Two_Sheds]

All in all, I would advise you to go for the smaller plot. It sounds like you already have space at home, so you aren't going short, and a large plot would be too much work and stress.

You can always go bigger in a couple of years if you need to!

I have a full plot, and it takes me 3 full days a week to keep on top of it, April - September (or 5 evenings a week).

[zazen999]

Firstly congratulations

We grow the things that need more attention [toms, peppers] and things that look good [borlottis] and things that need quick cooking [sweetcorn] at home, and have the space intensive, low maintenance stuff at the lottie - plus a new rasp bed.

I use a 4 bed rotation, potatoes/alliums/brassicas/legumes with winter squashes stuck anywhere they fit and half of the brassica beds each year to fallow. mainly to try and get rid of deep perennial weeds such as horseradish and marestail - if I can clear half a bed every year of all weeds, then I'd be happy.

I'd suggest visiting the lottie and seeing if you can visualise being there, or if it feels like you can garden there. If yes, take it on and put your long haul stuff up there and keep your more fun stuff at home

[Two_Sheds]

What of my produce should I move to the allotment, which do you think is better grown in sight of home?

At home: salads, herbs - anything that grows and needs picking quickly

On lotty: stuff that can look after itself for a while: spuds, onions, sweetcorn, squashes.
You don't need to be up there watering every day, either. If you give things enough space, and use mulches, and water thoroughly (to the roots) - I'd say once a week is enough, even in summer. That's all that mine get.

[Nicos]

My first thought would be to get yourself down to the plots and chat to anyone working there.
Which one would they choose- and why??

If water is provided- how near are you to the tap...buckets of water can get heavy!!!
Any litter problem for those on the outside??
Why did the previous peeps leave??
What is left behind - compost,water barrels, fruit bushes/trees/shed/greenhouse?
What state is the ground in- overgrown or pretty reasonable?
Is the plot waterlogged at any time ( look for certain grasses growing)- does one particular plot actually flood ???
How much shade is there from trees...are there tree roots drinking up all the moisture?
How far are you from the drop-off point for the farmyard compost ( will need barrowing - perhaps uphill????)

Umm...can't think of anything else to ask at the moment

I think you're really lucky to be offered one now...it's not too late to stick in a pile of spuds- a few different varieties just to get something in the ground whilst you have a chance to gather your thoughts and plan your area!
My full lottie takes about 7 hrs a week, but I'm thoughtful about what I grow and use membrane.
Leave your greenhouse at home- far easier to water and tend to the seedlings
Still time for peas,carrots, onions squash and leek.
I'd stick in a few fruit bushes asap too!
..and a few flowers!

I'm really pleased for you...go for it gal!

[jackie j]

Oh well done a new canvas to work on. Go and have a look at whats on offer. I dont think you can choose until you see what they are like, is one more overgrown than the other, lots of advice from others about what to look at in particular. I have a half plot and its not big enough for me and I only have a small garden at home and not much room for growing things there. I would spend every day at mine if I could lol
Good luck and keep us upto date with piccies etc.

[madmum23]

Hi Storming Norman. Congratulations on getting a plot so quickly, I had to wait 3 years. I was shocked when I was offered a plot also. I have decided to grow larger crops like potatoes, sweetcorn, peas/beans and fruits on the plot and have tomatoes and salad crops growing at home, my more tender plants. I have had my allotment for 6 weeks and have desparately been trying to eradicate the weeds that have grown on the plot for the last 9 months. Go and have a look to get a realistic view of what is achievable.

My OH is not interested in gardening or helping but it has really taken over my life, I love every minute of my time up there because it has become my baby. It has also been good taking the children with me to help. My 11 year old daughter was helping me drill and screw together some raised beds on Tuesday. She loved it! Good luck and enjoy.

[Eyren]

Great news - even if it does put you in panic mode!

1. Thankfully the plots are small - 50 or 100 sq metres I am told. Which do I chose - apparently I do have this choice. To help me decide can anyone suggest how much time it takes to work one of these plots when set up?

2. I eat veg and loads of fruit, my husband eats some but not that much - he is not interested in helping. I already give away a bit of that I can grow. Most of my family is out of the area.

If you have growing space at home and only two people to feed, the smaller size of plot should be OK - I have about 65 sq m, though since my husband does help out, I could manage a bit more!

I would have thought that, once cleared and set up, you could manage on only a few hours a week during the growing season (and almost none in the winter). We usually spend anything between an hour and most of a day at weekends (particularly in spring when there's lots of planting to do) plus the odd half-hour after work during the height of the weeding/harvesting season. That's not including our current work in clearing out old raspberry canes and building a compost bin, which are one-off jobs.

If I had more space I would probably grow more fruit rather than veg, as they are a lot less work for a relatively high value (but more limited in season). The other thing about fruit, though, is that it is generally slow-growing, so you have to weigh up the chances of giving up the plot before you actually get a crop out of it!

3. I have a green house at my home, as well as a re-planned but small veg plot, shed and lots of compost bins. The soil is much better now as a result of a lot of work last year. What of my produce should I move to the allotment, which do you think is better grown in sight of home?

4. I do like to go out and pick for dinner, but could not do this at the allotment, which is part of the local park and locked up before sunset. There appears to be no vehicle access, apart from a walk through the park.

5. Due to space I don't grow much in the way of potatoes, carrots, peas or any onions/asparagus, so I want to expand but obviously would prefer to continue using my garden for some produce. This may mean a funny sort of veg rotation- will this work?

Same here, sort of - my allotment is only a mile away, but I don't drive, so I can't easily nip out for something for dinner. Sounds like it would be a good idea to grow potatoes, root veg and onions at the allotment, as they store well. It also sounds like you need to invest in a lightweight but sturdy wheelbarrow, to transport heavy items (like manure) through the park to your plot!

I'm sure the rotation will work fine - you could have a four-bed rotation with:

1. Potatoes
2. Onions (and leeks, spring onions, garlic or whatever)
3. Carrots and other roots
4. Peas and beans - you could also squeeze some squash or courgettes in here if you grow climbing beans and tall peas

At home I grow stuff that needs warm conditions and/or regular watering, like tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and spinach, and also herbs that I can just nip out and cut a sprig of when I need them.

Good luck!

[susieq100]

Congrats on your plot!! I have a small space at home - I had 3 raised beds (2msq each )and odd spaces in flower beds but got an allotment towards the end of June last year. I can only get down there over a weekend and maybe one evening in the week (more in school hols), so I have done much the same as everyone else - low maintenance stuff at the lottie - salads, toms, cukes, etc at home. I have a greenhouse here so that I can keep an eye on it and have planted beans, onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, beetroot etc on the plot. Go for it ... and enjoy! I really enjoy the camaraderie and gossip at the allotment site.

[percy charlie]

i have a 242 sq lottie and this does the whole family but i have all my trees and raspberries and strawberries at home as well as my rhubarb, if you want to expand onyour fruit by adding currents gooseerries strawerries blueberries and raspberrys as well as other root veg like rhubarb potatoes, carrotts and brassicas id go for the 100 plot this way you can space bushes and rhubarb properly, this way you can also do half and half at the lottie and it wont require as mush work as just veg and you wont grow more than you can use, also i recommend growing freezable produces great for soups and stews in winter and crumbles, and the fruit is better cheaper and tastier than the supermarket too, if you only plan to grow a bit of extra veg and not expand on your fruit then go for the 50 plot.
my lotties is 60 -40, 60 for fruit and 40 for veg i have 15 current bushes, 5 gooseberry, 2 goji, 2 cranberry, 4 blueberry, 4 rhubarb and maybe adding another 4 rhubarb, i then will be planting my veg, as 3 days overdue with baby the veg planting is on hold for 2 weeks, i do most of the lottie my self oh will rotavate one a year.
it was very over grown when i got mine, i got a teenager by asking through friends so as to get a reliable one to dig it over and plant the heavy bushes for me he did the lot and build a weed box i supplied the wood all for £35, so dont be scared if the plot needs a bit of attention if you can get a teenager.

[Storming Norman]

Hey thanks folks,

What great ideas. I'm not so panicked now and the thought of getting myself a teenager in - well...........Percy Charlie you are a bit wicked. I am just thinking of the wording for an advert now!

I went over to look at it - locked up but I could peer. There is not one tree anywhere, so that is obviously a rule. It's nice and flat. There are lots of well maintained plots and no real sign [from where I stood] of any overgrown plots. The council mentioned the land available is in pretty good nick - so surprising to me. I could not see any water storage or taps though.

Thanks to your ideas [I think Two Sheds is quite right about the stress and workload] so I think I will select a smaller plot and build on this so it will work well from the start.

Fruit:
I can set up a small autumn raspberry bed, I have some in the garden but realistically they are too shaded. the summer ones are fine at home in their new bed.

I have a few strawbs, but would love more - that is another bed I can arrange this summer.

When I planted my gooseberries and blackcurrant bush in my garden earlier this year the prunings were planted to see if they took - well they have - so they will be off to the allotment shortly. Perhaps I should move the blackcurrant itself as well - possibly it is a little too shaded where it is.

My ancient rhubarb had to be moved this year - and I have a few small pieces just settling in at home in their new position. They will have to move again now.

Perhaps my newish blackberry could go as well, although it is ideally suited to it's current position.

Veg

I'd really like to keep as much of the tender green veg as close to hand so I can pick quickly - it's a 10 minute walk to the plot, if the park is open. Toms & cues will stay in the greenhouse.

I don't grow any maincrop pots - maybe I will try them, although I worry about bringing blight back home accidentally. I have never had blight in my garden and I would love it to stay that way. My earlies/2nd earlies are in pots [although I am chancing my luck in with a few under the apple tree]. It would be good to have them in the soil if I can next year - and save loads of pot watering.

I don't have space for squash but would love to try these - the seeds are in now. Possibly I can fill the new plot and cover the land whilst I find out what works best from the other allotment holders. I can grow a few more types of courgettes at home as well - they take too much space here presently but I can bump some stuff to the allotment now!

Sweetcorn is an interesting idea - what about the cross pollination issue with the different types and the neighbours plots? I have my corn already planted in the greenhouse and moving it to the allotment would be a good idea if I could ensure it remained tasty. Does corn get pinched from allotments?

Onions - never grown them before. This year I tried a few shallots in pots, now ready to go in. they might have to wait a bit and go to the allotment. It's not too late for sets is it? You recommended leeks - oh yes another one I have not grown -a great idea thanks.

Carrots - oh I am keen to try these out. I had a tiny patch of purple ones last year - it was not value for land it you understand me. But they were tasty. The land is serious clay around here, so that might need some work.

Asparagus and Globe artichokes have been on my wish list for ages - I can now find space for them [yipee - and the OH loves asparagus].

A decent beetroot crop what a lovely thought. I already know who will be queuing up for the surplus.

I can plant a decent crop of Kale,PSB & sprouts now. I really struggle to get them in presently and I absolutely love them [so does next door].

I'm getting excited now, the quantity I need to plant will still be small but there can be a far greater variety with the supplement of an allotment than I can do presently; fortunately I have had some practice in growing in my garden so I know what works in the local soil and conditions.

This could be fun. Sorry I'm thinking about the teenager again........

Ann

[Storming Norman]

I thought you might find an update amusing.

Today I went to the allotment to see the new plots - they were already allocated to us. We only got a half plot each - 50 metres - a modest size which is fine.

I was allocated plot 6b. I went to look at it with the park ranger and was odd surprised that it was worked. So I enquired had the ranger noticed that the plot had asparagus & rhubarb on it as well as recently dug areas.

He had not spotted this. Much consultation with his colleague and it appears an error had occurred - could I take this alternative plot? This plot had a few sad rose bushes and lots of rough couch grass but very oddly was dug through with drainage ditches. Some of the ditches had water in them. Now I know it rained steadily on Friday but my watery problem area in my garden had not flooded and it has been sunny since - so this looked to be a serious problem. Thanks for the warning about this people.

I decided against accepting this plot - I have a foot condition so cannot risk injury in falling down ditches [and this was very unpromising land].

We agreed I would go back on the waiting list and before I left I chatted to the other new people for a 10 minutes and back comes the ranger with another plot. Would I like this one as the allocated owner did not turn up? Would I - oh yes please!

Most of the plots offered today have been abandoned by their current users, but not this one. Last year they rotavated it for allocation - no-one took it up. It's been fallow for a while, no major nasty weeds have grown since, in fact its going to be much easier to clear what has grown [dandelions, grass buttercups] than any of the other plots which are rather overgrown [some have great brambles]. I have seedling & baby trees in my hedgerow area - this is where it is rather overgrown - but also some rough compost bins and loads of old compost just waiting to be used. There is a tap close by which gets turned on on the 1st May. There is no easy access for heavy stuff, and cars are parked a long way away [if you can get in as it is shared with the park].

The new agreement is no trees, no plastic [even to make paths or cover soil], no herbicides, no pesticides; the older plotters have a different deal. It's £17 per year!!

One of the current plot holders was keen to talk to me and tried to get my plot changed to next to him [ah what a sweetie] but I'm happy.

Ann

[Maximillian]

hmmm with all those lovely veggies you might need the 100m plot after all :¬o