Allotments in South Tyneside

[darran91]

Hi All,
This is my first post, but this forum seems a friendly place So I am looking forward to getting to know you all.

There are over 1000 allotments in South Tyneside but all have a waiting list. They are Council run. After being on the waiting list for over 2 years I have finally been offered one... very overgrown and seems the last person that had it thought it was the local dump... I don't mind the hard work clearing it, but it is so small... there was so much I wanted to do but if I take this i won't be able to... The person that runs it said I can take this one and be on a waiting list for a larger garden on another site, but then why put all the work into soring this one out? Feeling very dispondant an the moment... I know that lots of you will say "at least you have one" but it is so small... Can anyone advise of any private ran allotments in my area?

[Shortie]

Hi Darran and welcome to the 'vine

I'm afraid I don't know of any private allotments for you but with regards to the one you have been offered, how large is it? I know you say it's small, but just how small? Also, if you declined this one, would you be next on the list for another one again or woul you be put further back on the list?

I understand you not wanting to put the effort in just to be moved on and someone else get the benefit of your hard work, but one other thought is that you may possibly be waiting a long time again for a larger one, during which time you'd at least have an allotments (no matter how small) to work with?

Just some thoughts to try and cheer you up a bit!

[nick the grief]

Hi Darran91,

Welcome to the vine - none of us bite so you'll be OK. Congrats on getting a lottie but sorry it's not what you want. If you e-mail me I'll send you the address & phone number for the local NSALG rep for your area & he maybe able to help you.

If it's a council run site I'm suprised that they haven't offered to clear the rubbish off for you - maybe you should have a word with them & see what they're prepared to do for you. Also most council plots are the standard 10 rod size so if the one they have offered you isn't you may be entitled to a reduced rent.

It's a difficult call that one I'm afraid as shortie say's wil you end up at the back of the que again cos you've turned this one down.

Don't know what to suggest. You could do with speaking to Geordie he maybe able to offer some advise as he's from your neck of the woods.

[Snadger]

Hi all
Just taken over a plot in Tyneside 5yds x 35yds easily managable, seems small
I think it will be easier to get another larger plot if one becomes available as I would expect first refusal on the site I am on and a new allotmenteer could have mine. Just a thought Darran91!

[nick the grief]

It won't seem small by the time you've dug it all Snadger!

[Snadger]

Easy peasy nick the grief
All dug and fully planted!
Dug over the whole plot the first week I got it, the soil is a silty loam ,very easy to dig and I am reasonably fit and I enjoy digging and weeding(one of lifes saddo's really!)
Still fancy a bigger plot or another one as well if one becomes available but I am starting to harvest a few bits and pieces now and it should keep me occupied til the spring

[darran91]

Hi All,
Thanks for the replies and sorry for the delay in replying, it's amazing how work gets in the way of my allotment Anyway its 9mtrs x 7mtrs. I want to keep a few chickens and wanted a poly tunnel and all the usual veg and fruit as well as trying something diffrent each year.
I think i may have solved it though! A mate has put his name on the list for another allotment a bit further away from where i live (but still near enough) i will use the one i have now for the hens and a few diffrent veg, easy to get to beforee work to feed the hens. The other are bigger plots and i can put all my fruit bushes and poly tunnel there, i wont be able to get there every day but it should work ok.. Hope fully problem sorted... just need to wait to be offered anoher one.

[auntsally]

Hi
We arent allowed to keep animals on our allotment, it includes chickens, so i have a small pond area with frogs instead.
When you need to hide away for a while theres nothing better than gazing into the pond and watching the wildlife.
As you can tell , i dont have the sort of allotment that has veg in straight lines...

[Snadger]

Hi Darran, I have a lottie in Tyneside and also think it is quite small. Leeks seem to be the predominent show vegetable here and I have been told that allottments become available after leek shows (Sept) as growers become disalusioned if there leeks don't do very well. Worth a shufty around the sites after the leek shows!

[Pigstye Avenue]

Hi Darren,

I have an allotment on Pigstye Avenue in Jarrow. I have been told that there are private gardens on the Springfield School side of the allotment site. It might be worth a nose around, I also believe they are cheaper. Then again it could just be the old boys down the gardens gossiping.