very new ...so new have not got allotment yet !!!

[gingerwelly]

hello all  :)
    Any advice on selecting an allotment ? ...I'm at this point in time awaiting a phone call from the nice man who is going to show me what allotments are available (in cardiff, colchester avenue)  what advice can you give me about what i should be looking for and what i should ask ??
thank you, Sara

[gingerwelly]

[Carls3168]

Questions I would ask are...

1) Where is the water tap, can you use a hose pipe?
2) The condition of the plot (is it covered with rubbish YOU will have to move)
3) Are you allowed sheds?
4) Are you allowed Greenhouses?
5) Is there a shop on Site? (discounted seeds/materails etc)
6) Toilet???  ;)
7) What are your potential neighbours plots like?
8) When was the plot last worked?
9) Are there any problems with vandles/breakin's?
10) Problems with flooding?
11) Any site specific rules you should be aware of?

Theres a selection to get you started - I'm sure others will add to it. My top tip though would be if there are a couple on offer have a look at them all - dont just go for the first one they show you. Also have a vision, dont be put of by shoulder high weeds  ;D
Good luck

[Derekthefox]

I would add to that,

Vehicular access to the plot itself ...

Limitations on fires ...

Good luck

Derekthefox :D

[flowerlady]

Good list Carls!

Also, take a good look at the neighbours!!   :o ;D

[gingerwelly]

he he do i look at the neighbours or their allotments?

[flowerlady]

Both kiddo!!

I have a grumpy old man on one side and two absentees on the other.  Both means that I get the weeds whenever the wind blows. 

Now please don't say 'serves me right'  I'm nice really ;D

[vee]

As mine is on a steep slope  :'( :'(and so needs steps and terracing, I'd say go for the flattest as anything you need to barrow in/out like manure or materials is so much easier. You can eventually sort out weeds, brambles or overhanging trees etc but not the lie of the land. I'd so love a nice flat plot!

[spacehopper]

Hi Sara, welcome to the boards :)
Loads of good advice there.
Definitely go for the best location and topology you can because as vee says, you can get rid of weeds and brambles but can't change where your plot is!

[Derekthefox]

True Caz & Baz, not unless you want to go through Chriszog's experience ...

Derekthefox :D

[moonbells]

I'd say that it would be a good idea to take a printout of the worst gardenweeds if you are unfamiliar with any of them eg horsetail, creeping thistle, ground elder, (dare I say it) Japanese knotweed and check you don't have any of them on any offered plot!

moonbells (good luck)

[Carls3168]

Hiya Gingerwelly - you been yet? how did you get on?

[Derekthefox]

Yes Gingerwelly, are we going to get a report ???

Derekthefox :D

[gingerwelly]

hi all sorry it took so long !!

well i now have a allotment !!  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
its within a few meters of a water supply
it has been all cut back... so all i need to do it dig
and it faces south , on a slight angle, and after a little thought i have only taken a 1/2 allotment (5 perch ) as its only me and i would feel a bit rude taking up a hole one when i did not need it. 
i think have got the better of the 3 i could have had, the 1st had brambles all over it .... higher than my head !! (even in winter ) .. the 2nd was on a steep slope .. the people that had it b4 has started to terrace but it was to hard and gave-up ......
       so any ideas on what i should be doing would be great !!  ;D ;D ;D

[wardy]

Sounds wonderful.  Well done you.  Oh and good luck :)

[gingerwelly]

thank you  !!! 

[Derekthefox]

Sounds like you have done well. Good luck from here on ...  :)

Derekthefox :D

[Carls3168]

Hiya Gingerwelly,

Congratulations on getting your plot!  ;D the fun starts here...

[AikenDrum]

Hi gingerwelly, congratz and welcome the the edge of sanity  :) As to what to do now, well, too late to do much in the way of planting, as I'm sure you know already. A bit of gentle digging if you're up for it will help you get in "contact" with your plot and give you that sense of ownership while educating you about what kid of soil you have. Read, read and read ! Everybody has their own fav book(s) so I won't presume to tell you which is best, though don't dismiss the old 'uns like Percy Thrower etc if you find them in charity shops. Magazines such as "Grow Your Own" and  "Kitchen Garden" are a joy as well as a mine of information. And, sad as it may seem, most of us spend far too much time reading, and re-reading seed catalogues, but I'm afraid its compuslary  :P Take a wander round looking at your neighbours plots (snigger if you want to !) and if anybody is out on theirs, pluck up the courage and say hi, there's no such thing as useless knowledge. Oh, and I almost forgot, dream and enjoy !   {:¬)#

[ChrisH]

some other things you could do is;

order seed catalogues or browse online (which can keep you busy for days)
visit garden centre's  and check prices and look out for special offers
plan what you want to plant, and make a plan of your plot
ooh, and read every topic here :)

....seems a bit organised, just wish I could do it   ;D