I've got an allotment at last

[jo9919]

 ;D ;D ;D

After being on the waiting list for 19 months, my hubby rang the allotment secretary. I am fourth on the list for the site which I wanted, however, a plot has become vacant at a different site which we can take if we want it.

We went to see the plot last night. I didn't even know there was a site there as it's so small, only six allotments on it. It looks really secure, a locked high gate and houses back onto the site. There's access onto the site for vehicles.

The plot itself looks in really good condition and it's been recently used. The previous occupier has only given it up as he has moved. It measures 60' x 22' which is bigger than I would have got on the site which I originally wanted. The only downside I can see is that there is no water on site.

So, a couple of questions......

Firstly, am I going to have problems regarding the water issue? I am planning on having a shed and will install water butts.

Secondly, what about bed sizes? I originally thought about having raised beds, but for the time being I am going to have seperate beds which I could make into raised beds in the future if I decide to go that way. I am wanting to be able to dig the beds without standing on the soil so thought about making the beds 10' x 3' with a 2' path in the middle. Is 3' too narrow? I'm thinking when it comes to planting things like potatoes, will I get two rows in this or will I only get one row with alot of wasted space?

At last, I can join in and talk about 'my' allotment.  :P

Exciting isn't it?  ;D ;D ;D

Jo.

[jo9919]

[PurpleHeather]

Water can be a huge issue but on our site it is also the largest expense.

We are treated as a business and pay for every drop we use.

Over winter it is turned off because of the worry it could freeze by our over zealous secretary and usually I have a huge water butt filled before this happens, this year. I forgot.

So, every time we go down we fill those 2ltr plastic bottles from the tap at home and put them in the boot of the car. Ten minutes of a job last night the two of us have collected 19 bottles over winter.

The water butt gradually filled.

Many of our established gardeners tell me that they never ever water, once the plants are established. It is only when they are tiny they need it. Watering makes the roots stick to the surface instead of going down to where they should to find water.

I suggest if that is a concern, forget it.

Beds you can actually do gradually. The idea is that you can lean over and reach the middle from each side so that you can weed without standing on it so 8ft by 4ft is considered normal. You can do what you prefer though.

Cloches keep out wind, rain and some insects and some gardeners use these a lot especially for salad vegetables which are eaten raw and they do not want to get them dirty so a bed the size of a cloche cover can be made like huge mounds.


So your first job. if you take the site is to gather together any huge thing which you can store water in. Make sure it has a lid or mosquitoes will breed in it and it will encourage rats too.  Then get digging.

You need a plastic garden chair too. Sitting is essential every so often. Eventually a shed, kettle and camper cooker for hot drinks.

[Suzanne]

So happy for you........its so exciting isn't it.

I am sure someone will come along in a moment with a bit more expert advice. So I can only tell you what I have done which works for me.

My beds are 4ft wide and this does take two rows of potatoes. And I can still reach to the middle of the beds from the paths (18" wide paths) either side to dig and weed. I haven't raised the beds with wooden sides etc, mainly because the drainage on our site is really good so no waterlogging. And secondly we have no water on site either and if I raised the height too much above the paths I think I would require a lot more water.

Hope this helps.  :)

[caroline7758]

Congratulations!!
Lots of us don't have mains water.
If we have summers like the last two you won't need to worry about water!

Otherwise, it's amazing how quickly pots and buckets fill up in a good downpour, even if they are not linked to any run-off guttering etc, so get as many as you can ready (put a brick or something in the bottom to stop them blowing away until they are full)- this fantastic weather can't last for ever.
If you have got a shed, get as big a water butt as you can fixed up quickly,or just a plastic dustbin from Wilko.

And use lots of mulch- but make sure the ground is wet before you put it on.

[kt.]

Welcome to the site.  There are some good ideas regarding water already.  Also, check with other plot holders how they cope with the water issue.

[Barnowl]

I think that you'll find 3ft for the beds is a bit narrow especially for spuds and brassicas and 2 foot is a bit wide for the paths unless you've room to spare or have very large feet :) - but if you don't go straight to raised beds you can try it out and see how it goes.

[jo9919]

Thanks everyone.

Well, we have taken the allotment, so it's all systems go!

I've decided to go with 4' wide beds instead of 3', that way I will be able to get two rows in of things like spuds.

Regarding the water issue, there is no mains water on site, but a sump has been dug out which water can be taken from.

We went down to the site at the weekend and there were three other plot holders there who all came to introduce themselves and they seem really friendly. The previous tennant has kindly left us two compost bins, four water butts and a wheelbarrow  ;D

Time to get digging I think!

Jo.

[jo9919]

Welcome to the site.  There are some good ideas regarding water already.  Also, check with other plot holders how they cope with the water issue.

I'm not new to the site, I've been growing in containers whilst my name has crawled up the lottie waiting list  ;D

Jo.

[cornykev]

Good luck Jo, the growing season has begun so its full steam ahead.  ;D ;D ;D

[1066]

;D ;D ;D

At last, I can join in and talk about 'my' allotment.  :P

Exciting isn't it?  ;D ;D ;D

Jo.

Congratulations jo, and yes it is exciting, and a great time of year to get started
re the water, some people believe in the treat 'em mean keep 'em keen attitude and only water seedlings in and then pretty much leave nature to take its course, plus you will be surprised at how much water you will be able to collect from the guttering/shed. Also remember to mulch as much as poss to help prevent water evaporation etc
Looking forward to hearing about your progress ;D  ;D

[jo9919]

This allotment lark is great. After 19 months of anticipation I'm well and truly getting my hands dirty.

It's been a lovely day here today so we've taken advantage of the weather and been down there all afternoon. I've got two beds dug out and ready for my spuds to go in and I'm half way through the third bed.

The other tennants are really friendly, offering me everything from plant pots and manure to seedlings.

Even the kids are eager to go down there. I wonder how long that will last  :-\

It's certainly hard work digging out and weeding the beds but I'm loving every minute of it  ;D

Jo.

[saddad]

Lets hope you can get out of bed in the morning then.....  :-X

[jo9919]

Lets hope you can get out of bed in the morning then.....  :-X

;D ;D ;D That did cross my mind.

Jo.