Topic: Questions

[djstig]

Hello, just about to get my mucky paws on an allotment and wondering what kind of questions I need to ask to the allotment manager?

Type of soil?
Water use?
Compost heaps?


and the like if anyones got any ideas Id be eternally greatful

cheers

[allotment_chick]

Hi - congrats on the allotment!  Apart from those you have listed, I'd check out what the rules are, what vandalism is like, who you contact in the event of a having a complaint, if you are an organic grower ask to be put in a section where others are also growing without chemicals, who is responsible for maintaining the paths (on council allotments it is sometimes the council who cut them, but on my privately managed one it is the plotholder!), are there any restrictrictions re structures or trees (for fruit), what is parking like.

Otherwise just get in there!  ;)

[teresa]

Great News
all I can add is ask about water is it on tap,some lotties have contacts and will supply you with a butt.
Manure deliverys you may have to put an order in.
If you can have a bonfire and the times if restricted.
Some lotties buy seed in bulk a bit cheeper then garden centers.
when they have their get togethers soyou can meet them.
Then wait for the free plants to roll in you will find everybody wants to help a new lottie holder.
good luck Teresa

[djstig]

Cheers for your advice Im sure Ill be on here quite a lot in the coming months so youll have to get used to me asking stupid questions.

Going tomorrow to meet the allotment manager hope we get a good plot :D

[teresa]

Hi Djstig,

Good luck for today we all have our fingers crossed for you ;). Don't worry there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to gardening were all here to help each other :). Teresa

[Chloe]

I would be grateful for your thougts on this question.

I am secretary at our site and therefore let the plots.  In February I let two plots adjoining each other to two friends.  One friend came to her plot about four times this year and cleared some of it.  The other person came once and saw a snake and frog and didn't like it and never came back again until today.

When I saw them, I asked if they would like to give up the plot that hadn't been worked, as I have a waiting list for plots.  They were most put out that I had asked, as they thought there was no pressure on them to work them.  I replied that there isn't usually, but as there is now a waiting list, and two people have asked me for this plot and I thought they hadn't been working it, then maybe they don't want it.  They really had the hump and said they would think about it.

I have the right to refer them to their council agreement, but don't really like to do that but on the other hand people want an explanation from me, why I am letting it go on when it is obvious they are not working it.

What would you do? Really would appreciate your views on this.

Chloe

[Ceri]

To be nice about it, firstly perhaps you could have a chat with other plotholders and get their feelings - a left plot looks unsightly, encourages weed spreading etc.  If other plotters are not very happy you really must take action as their representative.  Do the two 'non-plotters' know there is a waiting list - this might spur them into giving up or taking action.  A 'tidy-up' notice can be devised, and as they are friends, be sorry you have to take action, but you have no choice as it is an association action, not a personal one.

[legless]

my site puts out notices explaining that the plot is untidy and giving 28 days to make some significant headway towards clearing it up, seems fair actually, especially with a waiting list.

[djstig]

Arse.

we went down to the plot on sunday and saw the man and the plots where completely overgrown he reckons theyll be sorted in about 2-3 weeks which i suppose we'll have to wait for.

But in response to Chlole or in addition not really got an answer...erm anyway when we went down there was a number of plots that had been left for what looked like a good 6-12 months, not completely overgrown but getting there. Which did annoy me cos we could have taken them on had the people been booted off who obviously couldnt be bothered to stick at it but had paid for their plot.
Not sure if that helps but just thought I'd let you know.


Anyway I'll be back when Im up and running with more stoopid questions tata

[Chloe]

Thank you, for all your replies.  Think I will write them a letter.  I was thrown, as usually when someone hasn't worked a plot they are glad to give it up, so their attitude of me putting pressure on them, was kind of different.

Thanks again,

Chloe