Help first allotment allocation!

[Inoxx]

Hi Guys

I've found this forum a few weeks ago and can I say its absolutely fantastic. The advice is always top notch.
Now I have noticed a lot of you grapes have allotment plots. Well lo and behold my name has come at the top of the list after 2 years of waiting and the local allotment site rep is holding a meeting on next sunday.

In the email they say they will walk us around and and show us the available plots but we will need to make a decision there and then if we want the plot or move on.
Now I have never been in an allotment let alone anything else so if you kind souls have any advice for a complete newbie to this allotment lark.
What should I be looking for?


I thank you all for whatever advice you can give.

[Linnea]

For a new plot I would be looking at the following things

Access to water - any taps/standpipes near by
access to roads/paths/carpark - are you going to have to lug stuff a long way to the plot?
are there toilets on site? if so where? you can guarantee you'll need it at some point!
direction plot faces - south would be best. watch for big trees casting shade and their roots taking water
state of plot - i.e. how much work are you going to need to put in to clear ground. watch out for the nasty weeds i.e. horsetail, ground elder - these can be a real pain to get rid off and disheartening for the new plotholder
existing plants - anything useful left - i.e. fruit bushes/trees, rhubarb etc
shed? greenhouse?
you don't say where you are so if exposed to strong winds look for windbreaks

but most of all look for a plot that you think you'll enjoy working on

hope that helps

[Mikey]

Most plots when you go and look at them will be overgrown with weeds, don't worry its for this reason mainly that the plot has become available, the previous tenant has either been kicked off or it has become to difficult for them to manage it and they've give up. Its rare you get a good looking plot, unless you are moving location on the site.

If I had my chance again I would have had a good wander around the plot and pulled up some of the bigger weeds to get a better look at the soil structure under it. A dark rich friable soil is the holy grail, I wasn't so lucky my soil is heavy clay, and was covered in couch grass. I didn't have a choice of plots, it was a case of if you want it, its this one. If its really overgrown a lot of councils will waiver the first years rent, as it can take you quite a while to get in back into order and many hours graft.

Always worth asking if they don't comment.

[Martin H]

Good advice in the preceding posts ^^^^^.

I got a new plot just a couple of weeks back and have just started clearing it. Like Mikey's, the soil is heavy clay and covered in couch grass, but the other plots were even worse. This one has at least been partly cultivated last year, although you have to look closely to tell.

They didn't offer a reduced rent, but I asked anyway and got 50% off. I see my main job as getting the perennial weeds controlled and getting ready for 2014, but ... if there's clear ground it's a shame not to put something useful in it instead of green manures; if there's something covered to kill weeds it's a shame not to plant something through it.

Good luck with the viewing. Make the best choice you can, but as long as there's light and air and water you'll be able to grow things!

[Inoxx]

Excellent advice so far!

The site is in Brighton in the south east. Definitely exposed to winds as its on top of the hill. I would asume the ground has a lot of chalk and clay content just like my garden which is 200 yards down the road.

I wonder if they would let me in for a preliminary look on saturday.

[chris]

I'd have a look for problem weeds - specially Japanese knotweed. If the plot has it, move on (Unless you have no issue with spraying it).

Have a look on google maps - so you can get an idea of the sun's track across the site. Haven't read the above properly, but I'd also check for neighbouring plot sheds that are likely to cause shadows - and where they lie on your plot.

[Creemteez]

Don't forget to ask loads of questions - preferably from the people on the neighbouring plots if they are around at he time you view. All good advice so far. Make a list of questions if you have to as excitement may push something vital out of your head! Fingers crossed for you to get a good one but don't be too daunted if everything they show you looks like a jungle - It's amazing how quickly something can be brought back to some semblance of order.

[alldigging]

. I see my main job as getting the perennial weeds controlled and getting ready for 2014, but ... if there's clear ground it's a shame not to put something useful in it instead of green manures; if there's something covered to kill weeds it's a shame not to plant something through it.

There is no reason why you couldn't have cleared a meter or so of space and have planted in it by the end of the weekend.

Soil needs things growing in it. You can plant something or you can let nature redo the weeds.

An allotment is like one of those huge bridges that takes forever to paint. It'll always need weeding, so weed, plant, weed another bit and then weed the first bit a bit more.

[Jimmy]

Consider raised beds.
I wish I had years ago.

[Two_Sheds]

I've found this forum a few weeks ago and can I say its absolutely fantastic. The advice is always top notch.

That's puzzling. Didn't you find us preachy, belittling, aggressive, argumentative and condescending then?

The site is in Brighton in the south east. Definitely exposed to winds

Oh, yes, it's Windy City. I lived there 6 years, near Waitrose and the West Pier. Who's your allotment officer now, is it still Henry?

I wonder if they would let me in for a preliminary look on saturday

Don't wait, get yourself down there. Holler through the fence, someone will let you in for a look-round

[Inoxx]

TS
Thats exactly where my girlfriend lives, in Sillwood Street.

Ok I've had a quick butchers at google maps

https://maps.google.co.uk/?ll=50.849...06968&t=h&z=18

looks like most plots are south facing which is a good thing.

I will take a notepad and some pens to take notes as they say decisions have to be done there and then so I won't be able to consult you lovely people.
I need also to study the different types of weed so I can avoid plots overgrown with them.
Great advice so far. I think the basics are covered.

[Jimmy]

[QUOTE=Inoxx;1116287]TS
I need also to study the different types of weed so I can avoid plots overgrown with them.

Perhaps the weeds are growing cause they like the soil.
What ever plot you choose weeds will be a feature.
It's a battle you can't win, you can only keep on top of them.
I have bindweed, marestail and more.
Jimmy