Are ponds allowed on allotment sites?

[Samuel1988]

Afternoon all,

I was thinking of adding a small pond to my patch to attract some frogs for some natural pest control in addition to wildlife.

I was wondering (as I do not own the patch but just share half with my neighbour) if a) I can build a small pond and b) the regulations/rules for building one and c) where I could get this information from.

There is an area of my patch which has poor drainage in the winter so growing more crops may be a challenge so I was thinking a pond will have an additional benefit of keeping more weeds down.

Thanks for your help,

Samuel

[Veggielot]

It will depend on your site rules, if you ask your site commitee/rep they should be able to let you know. You dont actually need a pond to get frogs, as long as they have somewhere damp with some protection for them to go then they will be fine.

[WendyC]

You would have to read your own tenancy agreement as they all differ widely. If it is not mentioned ask whoever runs yours. I don't think they are on our tenancy so are not specifically banned.

[binley100]

You could even just make a basin pond if they don't allow you to dig one...

[The Allotment Shed]

Here's mine

Just ask your committee. Find out if anyone else on the site has one as well, if they have then there's your answer

[Two_Sheds]

I do not own the patch but just share half with my neighbour

So you probably haven't seen his Tenancy Agreement then? It probably tells him that he can't sublet (share) his plot, so you might not want to involve the committee.

I don't think a small pond (dustbin lid size) is going to alarm anyone, so long as you site it sensibly and it's not likely to injure anyone.

Frogs only use ponds to breed in, and they don't eat all that many slugs anyway: they prefer worms. But, hoverflies and such like will breed in the pond, and they eat lots of aphids.

[Samuel1988]

Ah no, that sucks

I guess I will have to abandon helping him out then as I dont want to get him into trouble (even though he asked me if I would like to take on half his plot as he was struggling).

Might try to get my own plot but where I am they are pretty big so I wonder if I can take half? I just dont want to bite off more than I can chew, not disappoint my neighbour and grow some food!

Incidently enough someone who was a member of the committee had a chat with me this morning as I was watering my plants. Live and learn I guess! Any advice on how I should proceed forward?

[Snadger]

Don't know about allowed..............they should be obligatory!

[rustylady]

Incidently enough someone who was a member of the committee had a chat with me this morning as I was watering my plants. Live and learn I guess! Any advice on how I should proceed forward?

What was the chat about Samuel?

[Samuel1988]

Just a friendly chat - he was talking about trying to get chickens and about visiting his patch etc etc

[Samuel1988]

In the end of the day I was not aware of the situation so what happens happens but I will have to let my neighbour know and try to get a plot of my own maybe.

Im not sure how long this may take - the plot holder next door to me got his all dug over and planted a single plant - apparently this person has another plot on another allotment I was told by another plot holder which doesn't seem to be very fair at all

[rustylady]

Samuel, I would carry on helping your friend if I were you. At least you are getting some practice and hopefully growing some stuff.

You probably do need to ask him about his tenancy though. Does he still work his bit of the plot?

[Samuel1988]

Yeah he comes down now and then to collect his potatoes and onions although the weed battle is beating him. He has done his back in

I was going to order lots of compost in and help get his part under control but atm I am on stand-by.

I would hate to lose such an opportunity to learn how to grow my own stuff.

[Samuel1988]

He also comes to cut the grass which define the pathways so he is trying to keep up on things but due to his back he is having problems.

[veggiechicken]

Seems to me you have a valid reason to be there - helping your friend to keep on top of it while he is incapacitated. Make sure he keeps showing up though or it might appear that he has handed it all over to you.