Topic: HELP! Viewing new allotment tomorrow ?

[a-leeks]

Please, I need all your help, had a phone call from the allotment president
to-night with the good news to view a few plots. First of all I was over the moon, but he did say they were in a bit of a state.
This is my first post and would like to tap into your wealth of experience on what to look out for, what questions to ask and hints of the best way to tackle the plot. Would I be able to start planting this summer or is this trying to run before I can walk?    Going along tomorrow afternoon to meet up with him and would like to have a list of questions ready. 

Thanks, for all your help   Alex

[pete10]

Good luck to you . Take the best one you can get its a lot of hard work but well worth the effort.
 This link is good sdvice http://www.allotment.org.uk/articles/Clearing_a_New_Allotment.php. Or the wiki
 Button at the top of the page .

[glow777]

In order of preferance I would look(out) for

couch grass (grrrrr)
sheds and buildings
water facilities (butts or stand pipes if butts sheds are important)
privacy / security
established plants (rhubarb, currant bushes, asparagus etc)
neighbours!


good luck

[supersprout]

Great list glow :)

I'd add

slope and direction
shading
access by car
any restrictions
council delivery of freebies - compost, woodchips

If you take a fork you can impress the site rep by plunging it into the soil in various parts of the plot to check for worm activity ;D ;D
If you take a camera you can show us all 8)

[Gadfium]

And you can start planting this summer.

All you need is to clear a few square feet of ground and you can start off with radishes, oriental greens and lettuce.

Plonk in a few canes and shove some climbing french bean seeds at their bases.

Head off to the garden centre and get a courgette plant, or an outdoor tomato, or a pumpkin, a cabbage, or a pot of leeks... you never quite know what you'll find for sale, and they are often reduced if they look a bit the worse for wear.

Don't buy strawberries  :), you'll probably be inundated with strawberry runners from your lottie neighbours in the autumn!

How did the viewing go?

[supersprout]

c'mon, how did it go? ::)

[the_snail]

Advice DONT PANIC!!!!

Just pop down look at the sites have a good walk around have a word with the site officer/securary. He or she may have been on site for a long time so can give you some good advice on what and how to start off with. I am sure you will be ok. I was like yourself many years ago. I think all here with allotments where the same. Treat it as a doorway to health and pure pleasure! (Also some frustration buts thats all incorporated in the fun bit!)

The Snail

[keef]

Bindweed
The local pigeon population
Try and find out if there's a history of mouldy nose in onions (white rot) - might be worth not growing onions for a bit

[a-leeks]

Hi all
Thanks for all your help, went along, there was a choice of two, both quarter plots(they are doing this to help cut the waiting list) took the one near the middle of the site (felt it was more open) and 1 plot away from a water supply.
 Plot is very overgrown with some bindweed and dock but loads of mairs'tail I don't know any other by site,one line of raspberries and about four rows of suckers at one end. I think they want the site kept nice, toilet for the ladies flowers must be planted if you have a plot next to the main paths no ponds or bonfires.
Spent a few hours yesterday and to-day cutting down the waist high weeds. They are all bagged up ready to go to the tip,  hope get planting soon.
Just sitting here with a feeling of great  satisfaction.
supersprout, Got the photo but how do I add it ?   
Thanks again        Alex

[supersprout]

;D so you have a plot!
Congratulations[/size]Enjoy that feeling of satisfaction a-leeks, it will stay and grow with the plot! ;D ;D

To add a photo:

Go to www.photobucket.com and set up an account
Add your photo by browsing and selecting from your hard drive
Edit the photo to 50% of its original size (so those with dialup connections can see it)
Copy the link that begins [IMG
Paste it into your message on the forum
Tadaaaa!

[a-leeks]

supersprout, I think I have followed your instructions correctly. If so it was easier
than I thought I'm not very good on the PC.

Question, I plan to cover 1/2 the plot with black plastic sheeting (the only covering the allotment will allow) while I work on the other 1/2, would it be any benefit to put some manure on first?

[supersprout]

Definitely! ;D
That plot looks full of potential! ::) :)