Application for new allotment

[wigasaurus]

Dear All
I've just put an application in for a new allotment. I want to concentrate on the standard veggies but start some fruit bushes & hedges, strawbs etc too. I'd also like to dabble with some minarette apple trees too.
Having no idea the state my plot will be when I get one, are there any pointers for a novice apart from the obvious like availability of water supply. Does anyone do soil samples before taking a plot on? I live in the North West of England
Cheers y'all!

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Wigasaurus and welcome to the vine! There's a great bunch of grapes on here with some very experienced folks who will always help out with questions, so I'm sure you'll get lots of replies!

Good luck with taking on your new allotment! Whereabouts are you? We have only recently taken on our plot, and the choice wss limited to 2, both heavily overgrown, so the priority for us was to secure a plot and get it cleared, things like soil sampling are something we may do in the future (but looking at the soil it is in very good condition, so I dont yet know if we really need to bother), but if you have the chance it could be worthwhile. Having said that, the soil condition can be improved dramatically, so doing some tests could show you what you need to do to improve it, but I'd think this was something to consider once you've secured the plot! Round here they dont seem to be in too much demand, but others have had to join waiting lists in other areas, so getting a plot in itself could be the hard part!

Anyhows, good luck and best wishes!

[nick the grief]

Hi Wigasaurus,

Welcome to the Vine. NW thats LJ & DDL country (and one or two more) There are thisngs you can do before you get your lottie. I called family meeting to discuss what we all like (Grief Councilling I suppose ) as there is now point in growing loads of stuff that will never get eaten. So assuming there is more than just you involved you want

1. List of all the things that folks eat Fruit & Veg and mark them on a scale or put them into order that way you'll know to grow morre of the stuff that's popular.
2. Assuming you eat potatoes work ut how many you'll need of the various types (if you don't like new potatoes but like Roasties (sorry LJ) don't grow earlies but grow an extra row or two of maincrop.
3. Get yourself a list of questions that you want to ask when you get the call (other wise you'll miss something these could be
4. Are you allowed to plant Trees - vital if you want Apples etc
5. Can you get hold of Manure thru the lottie association
6. Are you plot neighbour Organinc ( no point in you trying if you neighbour uses more chemicals than ICI on his plot.
7. Are you allowed to put SHeds & Greenhouses on the plot - Vital to have somewhere to make a cuppa!!
8. DO the plot run any courses to help newbies or regulare meetings (if not ask if it's OK if you try and organise some)
9. Do they have Work days & are you expected to help
10. Is there water (the obvious one )
11. Is there any help for newbies ( clearing it if it's wild etc) & does it cost extra

Then once you've got your plot take a pad & pencil & measure it as accurate as possible then you can start by drawing an accurate plan and then mark it out accordingly - more use if you grow in raised beds as you'll hopefully iron out the problems on paper before you muck up on the ground.

Also you can start placing things like the fruit bushes/trees, sheds, Greenhouse, muck heap & compost bins for best effect

As to soil tests, technically we should all do soil tests every year but very few people do as they are expensive & the money may be better spent on the plot in other ways.

A rough guide can be found on the starters page of our lottie website (see below) this will show you how to ID what sort of soill you have roughly & then you can ask here how to deal with it. There is also a planner that will show you roughly what sort of yeild you can expect & when things are planted - it's only a rough guide & isn't gospel, the folks on you lottie site will be able to give more exact help than most folks on here as they know the local conditions.

Sorry it's a bit of a biggy but you did ask

Apart from that enjoy your new plot whan it comes.

[rustylady]

I know that you should do soil tests etc. But the main thing is to get your plot cleared (some of them are in an awful state - mine had shoulder high brambles)

Look at neighbouring plots to see what grows well (difficult at this time of year, but easy during summer). Get chatting to your neighbours, as well as making new friends they can be a good source of information, cuttings and plant and seed/seedling swaps. Everyone I know grows too many, specially if you start things indoors.

Above all, enjoy!!

[wigasaurus]

Thanks for all your advice. I can't wait now!! Suzanne, I'm based in Hyde which is about 12 miles NE of Manchester. I'm applying for a plot in my village, Gee Cross but they're usually all taken up. Other than that my second choice is one in Denton which is about 3 miles from where I live. I just hope I can get one ASAP. I see so many overgrown & neglected. It seems sucha crime.
Cheers everyone and I'll keep you posted of my progress!
Alison (wigasaurus)

[Nicos]

Good luck- will change your life forever!!

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Wigasaurus! I know Hyde, have friends fairly local to there, used to live not too far away in Higher Openshaw and I was working up that neck of the woods a few weeks ago, setting up the new Halfords Neighbourhood superstore in Glossop, )we used to have a small store in Hyde a few years ago too, I helped to set that one up too!)

Good luck Alison on securing a plot, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we are! Keep us posted on how you get on!

[Earthbabe]

Hi wigasaurus, welcome to the vine and good luck with the lottie application.

Nick I wish we had had that list when we got ours although the info we got from the council was fairly comprehensive and Mr E and I have similar tastes in veg fortunately.

I think I must have been the only person in recent years to actually read the lease before signing it which I think annoyed the girl at the desk. It is fortunately very clear and the pack we were sent was very helpful.