Choice of two plots - advice needed

[Chrisuk]

Hi everyone,

I've finally been offered a plot on my local allotment - or I should say, a choice of two plots! I went and visited yesterday and both plots looked good, but I'm looking for some advice on which one to choose.

Plot 1 can be seen here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lu9a6qtufst070c/IMG_0348.JPG

Out of the two plots, this one looks like it needs much less work. The soil seems good, and there is little to no tidying up needed before the site can be weeded and dug over.
My concern is that it backs directly onto trees. The tree side of the plot is the West side.
I've heard tales of trees taking all the water and nutrients from the soil. Is this really an issue?

Plot 2 can be seen here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/muk60fw8luuxirq/IMG_0352.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4d3edovp6qy6wl9/IMG_0353.JPG

It's away from any trees, but it's a mess. It has perhaps a skip worth of junk, and a lot of stuff to burn on it. Also, previous tenants had planted black berries and such, so these would need digging up too. It also looks smaller than plot 1. It does have a shed though, and I got talking to people on neighbouring plots and they were very friendly and seemed happy to help and offer advice. It needs a *lot* of work though.

Out of the to options, which should I go for?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Bigmallly]

Deffo plot 2...........no shadow, no tree roots, no contest.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Chris and welcome! Could you add your location to your profile please - it helps us to understand your local climate!!
My instinct says Plot 2 is preferable. It doesn't look any more messy than Plot 1. Junk on a plot is usually useful junk Blackberries taste nice!

[Chrisuk]

Thanks for the quick replies!
I'm located in Birmingham (updated my profile.)

Here's a few more pictures from the plots:

Plot1:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tjwhn4k8szx8dir/IMG_0349.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hthsqup1g22nody/IMG_0350.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6z02gaxr4rb711a/IMG_0351.JPG

Plot2:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/785d5aheffurjt1/IMG_0354.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/55i4ahrz9wf9god/IMG_0355.JPG

Plot 2 does seem a bit smaller than plot 1 - although at my level, that might not be a bad thing.
The junk on plot two is mostly around the shed. Behind it there's a huge mound of old plastic crates, pots, lots of dustbins. Someone I spoke to on the next plot said the previous plot owner was a bit of a hoarder.

[chris]

I have a huge oak on the birth side of my plot - I can't grow anything within the canopy- due to the shade and also water uptake there. I've even lined a trench with sacks but it doesn't really help.


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[Veggielot]

It sounds like plot 2 is the better option, it may be a bit smaller but you have to consider which has the most useable land. The trees will reduce the usable space. Wouldn't worry to much about the rubbish, it may take you longer getting it sorted but allotmenting is a long term hobby so wouldn't worry if it takes you a bit longer to sort out.

[veggiechicken]

Are there any others factors to consider - like access to water, parking, convenience for delivery of manure or compost........../

[Chrisuk]

They both have good access and parking (both plots are 5 minutes walk from my house), but plot 2 is about 4 meters from a tap.

I think everything is pointing to plot 2...

[iGrow]

Light level is the most important factor which would make me choose plot 2.

[Euan]

I would go with Plot 2. There doesn't look like any more work involved in getting either up and running and Plot 2 looks like a good location.

[noviceveggrower]

Hi and welcome. Where about in Brum are you?
Looking at your pictures I would say plot 2. It has a shed, lots of stuff you can recycle, very useful when cutting down costs, and looks in a better spot that plot 1.
Anyway good group here. Always able to offer advice and support.

[Mikey]

I'd favour both, 2 plots is always better than 1.

[Chrisuk]

I live in Selly Park and the plots I've been talking about in this thread are located within Moor Green Allotments.

[Chrisuk]

I've emailed my contact at the allotments and said I'll take plot 2 - so all things going well, i should take ownership of it on Saturday .

Thanks for the advice all. I would have gone for plot one without it(!)

[Chrisuk]

I've been chatting to a neighbouring plot holder and he suggested using glyphosate to wipe out all grass/weeds and then rotavate it.

I was tempted to do this - but have decided I'd rather do it by hand and avoid chemicals if I can.

I've read a few sites which suggest couch grass can be killed off by burying it at the bottom of a trench. Can all weeds and grass be killed off this way? Burying them upside down at the bottom of a deep trench? I know it would be a lot of work - but it's something I could do over the summer, and plant as I make space available.