We have a not-perfect site at Catcliffe with 30+ plots on a slope. A survey in 2006 found most of the area suitable for growing though the high plots, backing onto Sheffield Parkway, more suitable for livestock - and what has been allowed by the Parish Council on those plots (by neglect, I think) would put you in shock!
Over the last year, we have formed an Allotment Society and are about to negotiate a new lease with the Parish Council making us managers of the site at a nominal rent.
It isn't an attractive site right now, but there is potential if we can get folk to have a vision and work together - which might not be too easy at first.
We currently have four available plots. Though cleared and judged fertile, they are still long-derelict land: very hard work to put into use. But we all started there, and it's amazing what a single year's really hard work can achieve.
I've had slightly over one full season. Had to dig my plot with an apse, planted as I dug, but the yield, in monetary terms, in a difficult weather year, more than paid for the direct growing costs (e.g. spent £15 on Raspberry canes, got approx £30 worth of fruit at supermarket prices in our first year),
plus strings of Onions and Garlic, and jars of pickled onions and beetroot, and tomato chutney still in stock.
Over the last year, we have formed an Allotment Society and are about to negotiate a new lease with the Parish Council making us managers of the site at a nominal rent.
It isn't an attractive site right now, but there is potential if we can get folk to have a vision and work together - which might not be too easy at first.
We currently have four available plots. Though cleared and judged fertile, they are still long-derelict land: very hard work to put into use. But we all started there, and it's amazing what a single year's really hard work can achieve.
I've had slightly over one full season. Had to dig my plot with an apse, planted as I dug, but the yield, in monetary terms, in a difficult weather year, more than paid for the direct growing costs (e.g. spent £15 on Raspberry canes, got approx £30 worth of fruit at supermarket prices in our first year),
plus strings of Onions and Garlic, and jars of pickled onions and beetroot, and tomato chutney still in stock.
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