Allotments 4 All
Allotment Stuff => Allotment Movement => Topic started by: Jeannine on January 24, 2010, 11:47:08
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Well we will ignore the size ..10'x25' cough cough!!As it in a park we have to join the park association $11 a year, not much then the lottie is $15 for each one ( we are on the books for 2) So the price is OK.
It is a 7 acre site with common areas, very pretty with a common orchard etc, we all have to do a little of the work to keep the areas clean.
Rules against things and the positives too are...
No fires.
No loose pets.
No composting on the lottie, there are large compost areas for everyone to use.
It is organic so no pesticides etc, no chemical fertilisers
No sheds
Plots are renewed annually and you have to be at the Feb meeting to renew.
$50 fine if you don't muck in with a work party ,not often I might add.
Plots must be worked by May 1st , at the minimum weeds etc must be cut down.
If away you must nominate someone to keep things neat while you are away and inform the secretary who it is.
Manure is purchased in bulk and available at about $1 a wheelbarrow full
Toolsheds must be kept locked, and the community tools must be kept clean, you apparently don't need your own.There are rotavaters and all other tools for members to use
The pagoda can be booked for picnics..no charge.
No trees, or ivy.
Comfrey in small amounts, mint and hoseradish has to be planted in a tub
Blighted spud, tomato etc have to be taken off site
Any plastic rubbish has to be taken away.
If you are unable to harvest, inform the secretary and the food will be dontaed to the food bank
Weeds must not be allowed to go to seed
Plots have to be winter cleared by Nov 1st, exception is winter harvested foods
All plots have hoses, no automatic sprinklers
Acceptable mulches are grass clippings, straw,leaves,peat moss,manure and fresh sawdust,no black plastic, hay,gravel or bark mulch
For paths you can use covered landcape fabric or concrete movable blocks.
No structure that will shade a neighbour .
Nothing built from treated wood or glass.
No tarps, , no loose fitting net as it is a bird sanctury too
No Livestock or bees
Chairs must be folding types and no picnic tables, you have to use the community ones that are all around
No tyres
Cold frames are to be maximum height 1 meter and maximum coverage for same must not exceed 5 square metres,no glass, no treated wood
Clear parts can be clear plastic and must be 5 ml so they don't tear in the wind
Row covers must be securely pinned down and replaced if they get damaged.
Bean fences must not exceed 7 feet and placed where they will not shade your neighbours
No glass greenhouse, you can make a wood framed on and cover it with plastic
Raspberries and grapes must be trimmed to stay no higher than 7 feet and have to be planted 20 inches from the fences. and must be trellised.
Small plastic compost boxes are allowed but not a pile, they must be anchored and have tight fitting lids maximum size is 1 cubic metre..no wood ones.
You may have 1 water barrel but it must have mesh to keep the birds safe and it must be covered in the mosquito season so thy can't use it.
You need t0 fence your plot, no higher than 42 inches
No personal benches or tool benches on you plot.
Using pesticide will result in immediate loss of your plot Other rule breakers will get a letter which you have to anwser within a week. After three weeks your plot will be taken back if the problem is not completely solved
Situation for which your plot could be pulled are
Failure to have your plot done by May 1ST
Neglected plots which will have allowed weeds to cross to a neighbour
Use of treated lumber
Use of structures that don't meet the guidelines
Use of pesticides or herbicides or un acceptable fertilisers
It is strict and they are sure on you fast if you break the important rules.
The place is very beautiful though and a credit to the park
Thought you find this interesting
XX Jeannine
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Never imagined the Canadians as so authoritarian, but if it's part ofa park most of it makes sense.
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I think it would put me off! But if you've put your name down for two, then it obviously doesn't worry you. So it will be a nice neat site, and lots of access to communal resources, which is nice.
I get bossed around and pressured a lot at work, so I like a lot of freedom on the allotment!
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Bit too many rules on there for me but good luck with it :)
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Man alive...those are quite a lot of rules! But I like the one about removing blight-infected toms and pots...think most allotment-holders would be grateful for that as some of my friends with plots say they've just given up growing either as the site is so vulnerable...
Look forward to hearing about how it goes. Are the people friendly or scary?
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bump...lots of rules Jeannine but it sounds beautiful. Pagoda? Park? See you soon. 8)
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I don't know anyone yet. Every plot holder has to go to a meeting to renew in February, any plots not renewed are then doled out to the folks on the waiting list, so I will get confirmation first week in March. I am told,( and praying it is true), that my spot on the list will be good enough to get me a plot, maybe 2 ,but until March I am trembling a bit.
A bit of a pain actually as I need to start things off and don't want to be stuck!!
XX Jeannine
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Hope things go ok for you come March.... you need lots of room for those squash and toms!
Whilst strict, the rules make sense....
Good luck and fingers crossed!
Corinne xxxx
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It seems a daunting read, first read-through - but - it all makes a lot of sense to me, and I particularly like the strictures re: seeding weeds + the removal to off-site for disposal of blighted potatoes and tomatoes.
What made me smile was the description of acceptable covering for paths - covered landscape fabric - astro-turf, I reckon :D
Hmmm...chairs must be folding types & no picnic tables...so you've gotta be looking for some folding chairs with dinky little clip-on tray attachments for your mid-dig cuppa + dunking biscuit, then? Bet Betterware sell 'em - you got Betterware in Canada, J?
Really the only minus I see is the size of the individual plots - 10' really isn't very wide - do many people have 2 adjacent plots?
It sounds an idyllic setting, and fingers tightly crossed that you get offered your first plot in March.
Love Lish XXX
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I think the rules sound very sensible.
I like the fine for non attendance on working parties. The same people always seem to do the work in some organisations. There is a bit of confusion between no composting and having a small plastic bin.
I have just got a new extra bit and it is 26 by 36, so the plot size is very small.
I think that a good set of rules up front is much easier than a set of unwritten rules which are inforced by sarcastic comments and snide remarks.
One of the great problems of getting people to part with their land for allotments is the untidy look of some sites.
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I know the rules seem strict, but the plots must look lovely and it is in a park, i like how they have community tools, as some people are not able to spend much on tools etc, it is a shame that they are so small but finger crossed for March Jeannine
Kx
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Interesting read, and would love to see some pics - do they have a website?
Fingers crossed you get a plot in March
1066
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Yes there is some info on the net but I am told the actual website is down for some reason.. think they are short a volunteer.
The place is called Colony Farm Community gardens.
Colony farm used to be just that a regular run farm that was attached to the mental hospital for long stay patients, the hospital closed down a few years ago and all the residents were somehow miraculously blended into the community.. long story.
The whole area has been made into a huge park ..not roundabouts etc but with various things going on..eg a bird sanctuary. The community garden plots have only been on the go a few years. I will try to find a link but meantime if anyone wants to take look it will come up as Colony Farm BC Canada.
It is very pretty. I lived across the main road from it before I went to the UK, we used to watch the coyotes through a telescope, playing,then fat tummies then babies. This was before it was made into a park. The ground has been worked for years so I am hoping it proved good.
XX Jeannine
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Is this the right one? it looks gorgeous.
http://www.jiwiz.com/ColonyFarmRegionalPark.html
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it does look a wonderful setting to have an allotment (however small or large!), and what a good history / outcome for the area
Thanks for the info
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If that is it, it's gorgeous ! And in the Community Gardens I spied some Wilkinson's arches being put to good use ;D ;D ;D
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Hyacinth - do you recon Shirl has got a deal going on ::) ;) :D
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That is it well done!!. It isd a bit posh I must admit, I will have to wear my Lady Docker wellies when I go there!!
The picture I have by my name is the sign at the entrance,
I have been around a few times and met some folks informally, all seem very nice but I don't know anyone.
Oh I do wish March woiuld come around and put me out of my misery
XX Jeannine
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I am not surprised you are champing at the bit. But February is disappearing fast.
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Hyacinth - do you recon Shirl has got a deal going on ::) ;) :D
Bloody certain of it since looking at those pics ;D
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Jeannine it looks lovely, i am really crossing my fingers for you
Kx
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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/3105242003_09ac17a461.jpg?v=0
Found another picture. This one does look like you will need those posh wellies.
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Didge,I don't recognise that picture but it does look similar XX Jeannine
PS I might drive over there tomorrow
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Well I had as super visit over there today, I met a charming lady from Europe who was digging away harvesting winter veg. She was quite excited that a seed sharer was hoping to be on next month and seemed confident that we get plots. We found the blight is awful but the soil is very friable and hardly needs working.
We swapped phone numbers and I came home with my first lottie grown veggies.
We noted a quite high number of sites that hadn't got winter cleanup which is mandatory and she remember several folks who came a few times to a new plot then no more.
Getting close so fingers all crossed please.
It was so pleasant there, there are nesting boxes all over as it is also a bird sanctuary, good to syyyee a machine that dispensed free doggie poop bags, and there was actually a machine that accepted donations to the park.
She told us about a situation where someone had dumped several, bunnies in the park last Spring and within a little while they were all over the place and underfoot, quite tame, they were having to shoo them off and they were huge and fat.
Apparently there is very little picking by passers by despite the fact that it is open to the public.I thought this wonderful as they have tours all over the park,very regularly, even night ones to see the bats.
I was surprised that the lady I spoke to drives in from Vancouver to the lottie which is about 18 miles either way.
XX Jeannine
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Oooh not long now, do you know when you will hear the good news?
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I phoned a few of days ago and spoke to the new volunteer who mans the list, she said it will be in a couple of weeks but assured me according to my place on the list that I would definately get at least one plot and confirmed we are down for 2, she was so confident in fact she told me to go ahead and start seedlings so I now have broad beans planted in 4 inch pots !! I won't believe it till it is comfirmed but it sure lools OK.. XX Jeannine
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Oooo thats great news - happy sowing ;D
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Got Good Feelings about this J....plot(s) AND a new friend. Way to go, Gal xxx
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They better phone soon cos I can't keep so many things crossed much longer ooh aah !!
XX Jeannine
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Fab news, I can just imagine your fingers itching to get started :)
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Hope you get some good news soon hun :D
Looks a lovely place and if more sites had a rule about all members helping out around the site it would make all sites look good, after all its for our benifit !
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Well eck..I got the phone call, I was so excited like a kid at Christmas, told I had to attend an orientation meeting...fine I said,, told we would then get a tour of the site to pick our spots.. excellent I thought. then......................the date!! Would you credit it, it is the day we fly to Las Vegas. I told the nice volunteer lady on the phone, she said well they usually do the tour etc with only 15 at a time so there may be another meeting,she thinks. I am gutted,I could have had a good pick ,now if I get another chance it will be the dregs no doubt, plus if they allow the 15 to have 2 plots as we wanted there may bot be another meeting. lady on phone assured me that I would still get a plot but am feeling very deflated now especially as there is a patch that is very wet.
So I need to have a good cuss.....knickers,stocking tops,pink condoms, that is about as bad as I can get..well bloody hell
XX Jeannine
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Could you not get one of your family to go in your place, cheating a bit but what the hell, better than missing out on a good un. :'( ;D ;D ;D
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Tried that but was told noXX Jeannine
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Oh dear that's a mixed bag!! Can you change your flights or is it a set date and price? Or could you go there a day or two before- or would that be cheating as well?
Hope you manage to sort something out
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How frustrating! There is some kind of force that seems to ensure that things always happen on the same day. There are days and days with not much on and then three things all at once on the same day. You have been looking forward to your growing space for so long.
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:( is there no way around this? It seems such a shame to maybe miss out.
Perhaps we should start a petition and send it to the organiser?
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No, no way I am afraid. I cannot change flights without losing all the cost. They do assure me that I will still get a plot, I am going to phone again in a few days to see if the next meeting is scheduled abd I am going to try to go above the head of the lady who phones,if I can find someone, and see if there is anything I can do. XX Jeannine
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They do assure me that I will still get a plot
That is the important part
Good on you, seems there should be some scope for compromise, especially as it is a pre arranged and can't be cancelled. And I'm sending very strong heavy positive vibes ;D (works with parcels!)
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Well I phoned the association (not the list keeper) yesterday and got a very nice lady who was very sensitive to the problem, I said we were considering cancelling the holiday, she said not to do that, there has to be someway round it, told me to phone the list keeper again and stress the reason I couldn't make the meeting, I did so and mentioned the name of the lady at the association, anyway they got their heads together. Association lady phoned back and said, she would be happy to do the orientation personally and if push came to shove she would attend the meeting on my behalf. So if there is a another meeting planned that I can get to I shall go, if not it seems I have made a new friend. I am not as worried now..well maybe just a bit. It is one of those things,you know..you will believe it when you get the key in your hand.
XX Jeannine
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that sounds much more encouraging ;D
Fingers still crossed for you (which make typing veeerrrrry difficult ;) )
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I am glad you are making some headway. Hopefully they will appreciate that you are super keen.
It seems amazing that they could not have decided on the orientation date much longer in advanced so you could have planned round it.
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Three cheers for Diplomacy and making friends in High places, Jeanine.Still got fingers crossed, tho. So when are you off to Sin City, then?
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April 10th Lish, but I don't feel like going,, will have to as cash is not refundable but I feel like I can't be bothered.
They better be right about this plot as I went to a seed company yesterday to buy seeds primarily for the swap and I spent $345, as I bought big sizes on most things some for me and some to share!! And truthfully I only needed a packet of parsnips which I forgot to get.
and... the Lord help me ...I am going to Tatianas tomatoes today or tomorrow to give her some squash seeds..and ..... I am going to Tom Wagers the spud guru in April.
mmmm
XX Jeannine
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I'm sure you will have a ball, if you were not going you wouldn't be able to call to Tom's. Your plot/s will be waiting for you when you get back all invigorated ;D
:o $
LOL no parsnips.....!
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Got a message today that the second meeting is May 9th XX Jeannine
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Well I have my lottie, we decided waiting till May is too long, apparently I have gone from 60th on the waiting list to 7th and there are 25 folks going to the meeting.. we have cancelled our holiday so we sign up next Saturday instead of flying off.Can't risk being bumped down further, if we don't go to the April meeting 25 plots would be gone.18 after us.
So back to the first plan we will be gardeners again by 10th April.So out belated 50th wedding anniversary weekend will be there instead of Vegas, original one was the day we flew here last year.
Wonder what next year will bring!!
St ,ell with Vegas I am going to plant broadies plants!!
xx Jeannine
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:o ??? ;D ;D ;D
Would you like some peas? ;D
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Oh my cancelling your holiday!! But heck you'll be able to celebrate your anniversary on your plot with your broadies ;D ;D ;D
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We are just going out today for a look see, it has been very stormy and with tons of rain here for 2 days so I am hoping we can pick out where the real wet ones are, I had heard there were some apparently they get a lot of people who get the idae they want to do a lottie, by the time the meeting comes areound lots have dropped off, then we are told some don't turn up at the meeting.I am therefore hoping that some of the choosers are real newbies too and might pick for different reasons to us,,only thing we are worried about is getting on the boggy bit.
XX Jeannine