Allotment Advice for a Newcomer

[Jesse]

 :-\ Hi everyone, I've been browsing your website and was hoping that someone could give me some advice on allotments.

I am thinking about getting an allotment. Sadly my vegetable patch and greenhouse has given way to my two young childrens climbing frame, playhouse, trampoline etc. I really miss growing my own veggies and think an allotment may be the answer.

As I have never had an allotment I am completely unaware of the dos and donts of having an allotment (allotment etiquette you could call it). I don't want to upset any of my new "neighbours" through ignorance. Any tips on choosing an allotment would also be welcome.

Thanks in advance and I hope this message appears, I am also new to forums so have no idea if this will work!  :)

[Jesse]

[gavin]

Now that's an interesting one - allotment etiquette!  

Being able to listen interminably to the "old codgers" (yes, I know - I'm one of them!), politely, with interest, - and with a quiet smile going off and doing your own thing?  Dunno - on my old site, we kind of pulled together, and it was quite hard to upset somebody else.  

The bit I found hard was having to listen to lots and lots and lots of advice - until it struck me that the old guys were dead keen on us succeeding.  They didn't want a derelict plot next to theirs!

Choosing an allotment - now that's a bit easier.  Well worth wandering round the sites you're interested in on a Sunday afternoon, and talking to some of the allotment holders.  Find out what they have to say about the soil, water, good plots and plots to avoid ---- and any history of vandalism!  :(  Have a look at http://www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/tech/start.htm - but there's probably lots of stuff I've missed out!

Good luck - Gavin

[jo2]

We've only had ours just over a week and everyone has been really helpful.
As for etiquette I think number one is listening to all the advice your'll get.  Everyone wants to tell you how to do it!  Its nice really as I haven't got much clue and I know its because they want that plot to succeed(the site has too many empty plots and isn't council owned so might end up in danger)
We've been given loads of baby veg plants which was really kind as we are starting from scratch, we wanted them but I think it would have caused offence had they not been wanted.  naturally once we have seedlings of things they haven't the favour will be rreturned.
On our site lots of them are very keen on chemicals.  I use chemicals and am no way organic but the amount of weedkiller slooshing about even I find a bit shocking.  However I am the new girl so keep my mouth shut! I don't have to use them on my bit and what they do on theirs is their busness.  I think if you are very pro organic its best not to say so until they have got to know you or it can sound like a critism of their gardening.
Other things are kids and pets. I have a dog, a large dog. I think with both kids and pets it isn't fair to let them go wandering all over the site. My dog is tethered while we work as if I didn't she would nick every strawberry on every plot!
Once you get to know people you know who likes kids and dogs and won't mind them comming over they can have a bit more freedom up there but its worth remembering there are always a few people who like being alone!
As for choosing from what I've read on hear I think a reasonably secure site is a must as vandalism would be heartbreaking. You also want one reasonably close to home as if its a great trip you won't want to go. water on site is a must. Personnally i would like toilets on site but got no chance of that!  Decent soil is good but not as high up the list as secure to me as you can always improve the soil but if vandals are a pest they are much harder to stop.
hope this helps.

[Jesse]

Thanks Gavin and Jo2, your advice had been useful (especially your website Gavin) and also very encouraging, it sounds like there's a good community spirit on allotments. I look forward to receiving lots of advice from fellow allotmenteers, as a novice it's better to get too much info than none at all. I've dusted off my old Geoff Hamilton book and feel very inspired and motivated now. Thanks again!  ;D

[carrot-cruncher]

When I went looking for an allotment I started with the parks & leisure department in my council to see where the sites were in relation to me.   I then visited all the sites to see which I liked the look of best.   I have some allotments at the end of my road but they are in a terrible state so I plumped for a plot approx 1 mile from my house & it was an excellent decision

So far everybody on my plot has been very helpful & we swap excess seeds & seedlings regularly.   look for things like parking availability close to your plot, it can be very usefull if you're lugging stuff back & forwards ( i've actually designated a space at the end of my plot for parking).  access to water is essential during dry spells, especially for those thirsty plants.

I took on a full plot 'cos I've got long term plans but may want to consider taking on half a plot to begin with if times restricted

[Jesse]

Another question if I may! My 5 year old son is dead keen on getting hens. As a full size allotment would probably be too much for me at once I thought possibly (if the rules allow) of putting a few hens on part of the allotment, obviously securely kept in a run to avoid them eating my neighbours tasty seedlings. Does anyone have any input about hens, is it a good idea or should I stay well clear of having "pets" on an allotment? I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself now!

[sarahr]

I don't know about getting hens but I spotted a fox on my allotment. So you would run the risk of them being killed as foxes are pretty common these days.

[Muddy_Boots]

Don't know what the rules might be but do remember you have to be there every morning to let them out and every evening to tuck them up safely.  Ponder upon that before making your descision.  Can you guarantee that?  If not, like Sarah says, you may lose them to the foxes.  Even if you don't see any, they are around and don't just kill to eat!

Having said that, I still think it's a lovely idea provided you can deal with the logistics.  You are going to have fun!  :D

[gavin]

Check the local regulations - and their even more local application, site by site!  

Here, the standard allotment contract specifies "no livestock".  Ah but - some sites HAVE beekeeping, horses (! - yup, a bloke with 3/4 plots), hens, and probably a whole menagerie of other animals!  

Others say that bees are livestock, and won't have 'em!

All best - Gavin

[legless]

on our site the regulations state that you can have pigeons, hens or rabbits only, so it seems to vary depending on the site.

[adamhill100]

Go for it!  I agree with all the above comments... All the ole boys are really helpful and are normally worth listening too as they have probably been doing it for years.  I am 34 and dont have much of a clue although I did used to help my grandad as a kid..  I was surprised at how much they are willing to help and have been given loads of Tomatoe plants and beetroot to put in my plot..! Good Luck

Adam

[Jesse]

Thank you all for your friendly advice. I discovered today that a friend has an allotment nearby, she says there's spare plots available and no history of vandalism whilst shes been there. I will be visiting some sites later this week and hope to find something suitable soon. Will let you all know when I get my first allotment and hope to become a regular here on this site.  :) I'm sure once spring time comes I will have a zillion questions!

[Jesse]

Thought I'd post an update. I found an allotment site today that is really lovely. All the plots are so well cared for and I met one of the allotmenteers when I visited this morning. He was so friendly and showed me around. There is no vandalism, it is in a lovely location, no traffic noise, just birds singing their hearts out! BUT, there is a waiting list expected to be about 1 year :(. I looked at some other locations but they just aren't the same :-\. I think I'm going to cram as much into my garden as possible until I can get the site I want. So for now I will be an allotment wannabe :).

[Ricky]

Hello jes, just a thought  ::) our lottie is full but a few of the elderly gents are finding it difficult to keep up with what they have, and one or 2 have let others "help" with half their plot, it is a good 2way idea, knowledge passed on and younger people helping with the hard work, digging etc.... it is like a gardening school  ;D maybe a way to get in before waiting a year...

Life is for sharing after all.

[Jesse]

Thanks for the suggestion. The plots are fairly small and every plot except one is in perfect order, I think they are all perfectionists! Given the size of the plots I doubt anyone would share a plot but I think it may be worth asking. Thanks! :)

[gilgamesh]

On advice : Some will be good, some will be lousy. Take a look at the advisor's plot, and you should be able to decide who knows what they are talking about. Don't forget that local conditions do change cultural practices - so they are the experts on what works HERE, not the books, who are giving advice for HERE,  THERE and everywhere else.

Relations with neighbours : Allowing weeds to grow and seed unchecked is about the worst sin. Anything else is probably forgivable.

Hens : As has been said, check the rules, see if anyone else has them, DON'T have a cockerel near houses, and shut them up at night. Almost all allotment sites are visited by foxes and other vermin (vandals being far the worst). You can get light-sensitive automatic slide hole closers, but they aren't 100% reliable.

[gilgamesh]

blammit and dast - forgot that mentioning the "male of gallus domesticus" is regarded as beyond the pale and gets censored to "thingy"