New Allotment Holder, Perhaps!

[hamsterhead]

Good Afternoon

I had an exciting phone call yesterday, (I don't get out much), from a representative of the local council, (good job I voted for them ) asking if I was still interested in having an allotment. Of course I said yes and arranged to meet her on Wedesday to view the plot(s). Now then, when I go to view, will I be expecting too much to find the ground freshly dug over, (not necessarily planted), pathways in neat and trim rows, no weeds, a shed? Hopefully a greenhouse or polytunnel would be good but not necessary as I don't wish to appear greedy I'll let you know the outcome

[dominic10]

That's certainly the case for some plots I should imagine but not very often. We took on a half plot on 7/4/12 and had several trailer loads of rubbish (including a rusted through old wheebarrow, a grim reaper rusty old type scythe and a set of old fashioned roof racks) weeds and yet more weeds, grass and 3 huge compost piles. The lady on the list in front of us turned it down and was offered another plot in a more 'pristine' condition as she is just on her own. Yet another plot had a shed and a greenhouse but the new plot holder purchased these buildings from the departing plot holder. Whatever you inherit you will want to make it your own. But yes, the things you mention would be lovely....Wait to hear how you get on.

[Kleftiwallah]

Isn't this an ideal job for the 'bad boys' or What we use to call those from borstal or approved schools.

Couldn't they be dragooned into tidying up allotments before handing them over?

I may be wrong. . . .but if the allotment is in "a bad way" you can refuse and not be penalised by going to the bottom of the list. Fingers crossed for you. Cheers, Tony.

[alldigging]

Isn't this an ideal job for the 'bad boys' or What we use to call those from borstal or approved schools.

Couldn't they be dragooned into tidying up allotments before handing them over?

I may be wrong. . . .but if the allotment is in "a bad way" you can refuse and not be penalised by going to the bottom of the list. Fingers crossed for you. Cheers, Tony.

We had community payback to assist after we (local residents) did a community clearup.
Just hedges really but they came with secateurs and hand tools only.

They might not do allotments - only community spaces though - unless the rules are different where you live.

[Moo's Mum]

Fingers crossed it'll not be too bad hamsterhead. Let us know how you get on x

[zazen999]

Good Afternoon

I had an exciting phone call yesterday, (I don't get out much), from a representative of the local council, (good job I voted for them ) asking if I was still interested in having an allotment. Of course I said yes and arranged to meet her on Wedesday to view the plot(s). Now then, when I go to view, will I be expecting too much to find the ground freshly dug over, (not necessarily planted), pathways in neat and trim rows, no weeds, a shed? Hopefully a greenhouse or polytunnel would be good but not necessary as I don't wish to appear greedy I'll let you know the outcome

Excellent - let hope you get enough room to grow some medium if not large potatoes next year

[Feral007]

Ok so I'm waiting to hear? Taps foot impatiently.....Was it so good you are out gardening ever since? Or so bad you are still in shock

[hamsterhead]

Ok so I'm waiting to hear? Taps foot impatiently.....Was it so good you are out gardening ever since? Or so bad you are still in shock

Sorry, I wasn't very clear, it wasn't yesterday but Wednesday next week.

[Percy T]

well done, I am sure when you visit on wednesday all your dreams will come true, and then you will wake to find reality a seriously overgrown plot that hasnt been touched in years and you will wonder why it has taken so long to get a plot!

[hamsterhead]

Good Afternoon

Finally, an update. I had the meeting with the allotment people last week and have been assigned a three quarter size plot. Brilliant!!!!!. And yes it does have a shed and a greenhouse, unbelievable I know. The greenhouse seems to be working as the weeds inside are almost to the roof, although some panes of glass are missing, as is the door. Not a big job to replace. The shed looks OK and is certainly big enough for the obligatory table, chair and essential gas burner! (see attached photos and videos). I get the key this afternoon but the only problem is the previous owner got bored and decided to have a bonfire which got out of control and burnt another shed on the plot plus a tree. The shed contained asbestos so we have to wait until council workmen remove the shed and tree remains before we can begin to dig but we can start to clear the ground so all volunteers are welcome to come along and have a dig!

So its planning time now and working out what to plant and grow. Exciting eh!

[hamsterhead]

An update for you all.
The shed has been cleared and cleaned. The space between shed and greenhouse has also been cleared. Greenhouse has been cleared of roof high thistles but I've still to dig out the docks and spear grass and I found the door to the greenhouse amongst the thistles! Result!. Still waiting for the councilmen to remove burnt tree and asbestos from the adjoining plot so I can start the serious stuff.

[Feral007]

Wel that certainly looks like something to get your teeth stuck into! Best of luck - even tho it's half way thru summer for you guys, there's still plenty of time left for the quick vege's!

[areia]

excellant, we all know how long it takes for the council to shift thier bottoms, can you not start at furthest side, and cover what you are doing in the meaning time,

[hamsterhead]

Another update.

The lovely council men have been and removed two thirds of the asbestos stuff but unfortunately when they tried to unload the special skip was full and hadn't been replaced. This was two weeks ago. I've been speaking to them this morning and it appears that the load has been gotten rid of but owing to staff absences, they haven't returned to remove the remaining contaminated material but I have been reliably informed that this could, thats could, be next week. Once this has been completed, the tree has still to be removed which is a different council department. Don't yer just love officialdom! Of course, in the meantime, what was once a reasonably clear plot, is now totally overgrown again. I did suggest this morning that once the asbestos stuff and tree had been removed, they may like to dump a two or three tons of quality topsoil onto the plot. I think it fell on deaf ears.

[snohare]

Don't wait about for them, get a move on by yourself and they will just have to try to work around you.
And you never know, some vandal might just remove that tree in the meantime... There are lots of people on Freegle/Freecycle who would love some firewood, some of them even have their own chainsaws !