How big is 2.5 rods?

[Nicola.P]

I have tried good ole google but I seem to get different answers.
So in square metres how big would 2.5 rods be? is it big enough to have a decent sized shed and still get a good volume of crops in?

Thanks

[Bacchus]

Hi,

I don't have an allotment (I live on a farm) so don't know the intricacies of the rod system for them - but here is an older thread that might help

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...rod_16833.html

[Kristen]

I have tried good ole google but I seem to get different answers.
So in square metres how big would 2.5 rods be? is it big enough to have a decent sized shed and still get a good volume of crops in?

Thanks

Traditionally an allotment plot was 10 rods. Slight confusion is that "rods" refers to either a linear measurement or a square one. Whereas we say "square yards" or "square metres" allotmenteers just say ... Rods

A rod is 5.5 yards / 5 metres, a "square rod" is 5.5 x 5.5 = 30.25 square yards or 25.3 sq.m.

A 10 rod standard sized allotment is therefore 302.5 square yards or 253 sq.m.

2.5 rods would be 5.5 yards x 5.5 yards x 2.5 = 75 sq. yards or 63 sq.m.

Assuming 10 yards wide (I'm guessing, but allotment "shape" is usually 10 yards wide x 30 yards long -ish) then 2.5 rods would be a quarter allotment 10 yards x 7.5 yards, but it could actually be any shape. I suppose a "quarter" could also be 5 yards wide x 15 yards long.

[WendyC]

"2.5 rods is more of a quarter plot. It's approximately 60 square metres if that helps to visualise it. If you look at both plots consider the long term benefits of one over the other, e.g how near to any water supply, is either shaded by trees or hedges. Sounds like you've thought of how to manage it."

Here's a reply I prepared earlier in one of your other threads.

[alldigging]

Not enough.

[Martin H]

2.5 rods would be 5.5 yards x 5.5 yards x 2.5 = 63 sq.m.

Assuming 10 yards wide (I'm guessing, but allotment "shape" is usually 10 yards wide x 30 yards long -ish) then 2.5 rods would be a quarter allotment 10 yards x 3 yards, but it could actually be any shape. I suppose a "quarter" could also be 5 yards wide x 6 yards long.

More coffee needed, Kristen. 10 x 3 = 70?

[alldigging]

I'd have gone with 10 being about 250m2
so 2.5 is a 1/4 of that which is .. ok then I'd have got the calculator out.

[Kristen]

More coffee needed, Kristen. 10 x 3 = 70?

I thought it seemed a bit small!! .. off to make fresh coffee and fix the original, thanks

[Nicola.P]

So am I right in thinking that if the plot was square it would be roughly 8m x 8m?

[Mikey]

Roughly yes but if its an older site it's more likely to be sub divided based on the 10 x 30 rule giving you 5 x 15 yards that is not metres.

[Mikey]

With this amount you'll have to consider your costs and spacings very carefully. You could easily fill this with 2 veg types, look our for books on growing veg in small spaces, container veg and cottage gardens as these all rethink the traditional acknowledged spacings.

You'll end up with about the same as me for this coming year, I'll have some staples like pots and onions but they will be in the minority, with more expensive items taking over the majority of space. The smaller the area the harder it has to work, and the more organised you need to be, with crop rotation and having veg waiting in the wings for the spaces to appear.

[Nicola.P]

I found out which plot is going to be mine and went to see it today, the directions were a bit iffy but I narrowed it down to 2 plots that it could be. It is going to be half an existing plot and it looks very small. But it is a start and neither are overgrown and both ready to go so I can't complain.
I will put myself straight back on the waiting list for a 2nd/ or larger plot though once the paperwork is done and this one becomes officially mine.

[Mikey]

Can you not accept this and remain on the list for a larger plot, that way you stay at the top rather than go back to the bottom?

I know some on our site have accepted half plots as that was all that was available but, as soon as a whole one came up swapped. They had first dibs, relinquishing their smaller plot for someone else.

[Nicola.P]

All the larger plots are being split into smaller plots when they come up down my way. I was on the waiting list for 6yrs before this one came up.
I have just read the rhs guide to growing veg on small plots and they got a lot on a 3m x 3m and I should have room for about 4 of those but will probably do 1.5-2m wide and as long as I can make them to limit the space spent on paths.

[Thelma Sanders]

Beds are often made only 4ft wide so that you can reach to the middle without treading on the soil you are growing in.