Getting new allotment this weekend - what to look for?

[theamatteurgardener]

Hey everyone, not posted in ages but been reading all the while!

Anyway, i FINALLY get my allotment in Newcastle this weekend, and its pretty much first come first served for the newbies choosing their plots (most are 1/4 for us beginners).

So, i was wondering, that seeing as i might have choice of plot, what i should look for - they'll presumably all be very similar, but is it better to have a plot say hear a fence, or a hedge, or away form a tree?

Any comments much appreciated!


Cheers!

[theamatteurgardener]

[Lauren S]

I would also consider which way the allotment faces. i.e North, South, East or West etc. Where do most of the damaging winds blow in from etc etc.
Get there early and perhaps ask the other lottie holders.

[Lauren S]

Oh I forgot to say...Congratulations on getting your new lottie  :)

Exciting times ahead...Enjoy  :D

[raisedbedted]

Hi,

Difficult to say as all plots have got pros and cons,  I would think about..

Distance to water
Distance to car park
Away from large trees but shielded from the north by trees...

If you spot any real nasty weeds then steer clear, eg Marestail.

Other than that get choosing, get digging and enjoy...

[SnooziSuzi]

Hi,  welcome to the forum :D

In addition to what has been suggested so far I'd say look for one in the middle if possible, becuase the vandals tend to damage the plots on the edges and not venture in to the middle to do damage most of the time.

[Kea]

Watch out for evidence of a high water table you can't grow vege in a swamp or pond. Nettles indicate a fertile soil. Having a shed already there is a plus.

[Blue Bird]

Wish you well on your plot do hope it what youare looking for and agree with all the comments above but also ask any neighbours on their comments as they will know the plot and its problems and advantages and you should look forward to sleepless nights :( ;)

I remember getting mine and could not sleep as kept thinking of what I was going to do ;D

good luck

BB

[stig]

as above get down there talk to other members wholl know if plot was regularily fed if they used weed killer (if your going organic).
worth looking if any rhubarb/raspberries left over from previous user

[theamatteurgardener]

Well we've finally got one! Seems like waited forever.

Anyway, i think its pretty much a 1/4 plot (think its about 10m x 8m) so doesn't look too daunting! The ground is virgin allotment soil - nothings really been grown there - its basically an extension to an existing allotment, where you can see on the google map it looked like just trees and bushes - see here:



The ground has recently been cleared and rotorvated (ive read on here that this can be both good and bad). So we're looking at doing a selection of raised beds and the secretary (who was there assisting the newbies choosing their plots) said this was a good idea. We have a smallish sycamore tree. but more importanly we thought, we also have a fence edge plot (other side is huge playing field) and some existing bramble bushes) Plot shown here:



We had  pretty extensive chat with a feller on a plot near to us and he says the soil is pretty perfect in the area. Theres people growing all sorts - even a few startup vinyards! Everyone was very helpful and friendly so now we just need to get cracking!

As we're on a nice slope (for drainage) i was thinking we could do the raised beds across the slope, sort of terracing down, allowing for path circulation too.

I'm pretty snowed under this week at work - but the one after ive got totally off so im trying to establish a list of things to do, obviously advise me if i'm well off here please!

1. mark out where some beds are to go, and dig out these areas - framing with timber boards?
2. then fork over hard base ground
3. then refill bed up to top of wood frame with mixture of soil just dug out/ compost / manure?

Thats more than enough to keep me going for that week i think - Am i starting the correct way?

Thanks for all the help everyone!

matt

[Lauren S]

Amateur congrats on your new allotment.
Your plans sound great.
Can I maybe suggest you leave some of the beds unmanured as carrots and parsnips and some other roots (can't remember which) don't care much for manure.

Good Luck
Lauren  :)

[saddad]

Congratulations T.A.G. hope you enjoy your plot as much as we enjoy ours!

[Kea]

Looks good. Nice fence there too.

[Blue Bird]

Looks great - your plans sound fine and am sure next year you will have a good crop

;D