Hi all,
I've been offered a new site allotment 20 metres in length for £2.20Msq. I'm wondering what width would be suitable for a beginner like myself? I was thinking 5 metres but don't know if this is too big or small?
What size is everyone else's plots?
Thanks for everyone's help.
15x 20 is a good size to start with as you never end up with enough room so if you have the choice in my opinion there never is enough because when you worked what you got you wish you had more
Our standard plots are in yards... 30x10... 300sq yds which I think is @ 225sqM
I suppose 15-20 Ft would be adequate but it really depends on you and how much you are capable of doing. If you have the option I would go larger rather than smaller as you can always cover any spare ground or just throw loads of spuds in. Everyone runs out of space eventually and wishes they had more not less..
BarriedaleNick
www.barriedaleallotments.org.uk (http://www.barriedaleallotments.org.uk)
I have just started a new plot 36ft by 55 ft, or 220 sq yards. using Saddads figures that is about 165 sqm. I have only had it four weeks and I am already running out of space!!!
With runner beans wanting 8-12 inches, sweet corn 14-18, courgettes a whole metre square eacn the space seems to be gobbled up in no time at all.
Seems a bit pricey. Mine is only £40 for the year and that includes all the manure you can load into a wheel barrow, and someone thought that was expensive compared to council run ones.
Our plots are approx 40 metres long, 10 metres wide for £15 a year. I think it depends on what you want to grow. As has been said, some plants take up a lot of space. If your going to plant fruit bushes, then it will take up even more space.
QuoteSeems a bit pricey.
I assume it is a private site and they are charging what it is worth without subsidies. One way of sorting out the payers from the players.
Does the site give any option to extend? If so start small then take on extra land in later years.
Yes its a private plot, our local council has a 3 year waiting list so I'm left with little options.
There's a one off £75 water connection + fence fee but the guy says he has a few establshed plots with no charges that I'll have a look at (maybe photograph + put up on here). I know size matters but my budget is about £300 max, luckily its paid in October and I've only 6 months to pay now.
Your main determining factor will be how much time you can give to the allotment. If you work during the week you may not get back in time to work on the allotment so it mostly has to be done at weekends - although it gets lighter at the busiest times (i.e. now). Can you keep tools up there and drop in non the way back from work? Also there are time/labour saving approaches like no-dig gardening, preparing your seedlings at home etc.
We have a 55ft x 25ft (16.7m x 7.62) which does the two of us OK but that's pretty close to your budget (about £280 at £2.20psm).
I could do with a little more space but did lay it out with generous paths and we have several fruit trees and bushes that take up space whereas I imagine you would go for the most intensive layout possible - big beds, narrow paths :)
I'd estimate we peak at around 10 man hours a week if it's a dry early summer and we have to water a lot (it's actually more but I'm not counting the admiring, groaning, pondering, chatting and other not-actually-getting-anything-done times) but noticeably less at other times particularly in the winter. Also I only deep dig about a couple of beds each year and watering depends one the soil - ours drains very quickly . The more preparation you do in the quiet season the higher the troughs but the lower the peaks.
Incidentally I don't the think the time spent would grow in a fixed proportion to the size of plot. More experienced people might like to comment but I don't think twice the size would mean twice the hours thought it would be pretty expensive with that rental!
Overall, if you work during the week and can;t get to the allotmentvery easily, I think your 5m width sounds about right.
Welcome to the Forum!
PS what's the shed situation?
This is 100sqm, it needs loads of work. Can't see myself taking this on as it would be a waste of a summer.
(http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7450/100sqm.th.jpg) (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=100sqm.jpg)
This is 60sqm, it has been started upon, the guy got a council plot but the size is a little small. Unfortunately the shed doesn't come with the plot. Both sites are side by side and can be merged but I really don't fancy working on the 100msq plot.
(http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6386/60sqm.th.jpg) (http://img209.imageshack.us/my.php?image=60sqm.jpg)
My other alternative which I will probably go for is a new plot. Its completely dug over, I can pick my size and it won't be a wasted summer. The allotments are on the far side of the photo:
(http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9858/newplots.th.jpg) (http://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newplots.jpg)
Third one gets my vote!! ;D
I say the third one also. While you have this, get your name down on the council list, people change their minds and the list may get shorter.
our new plot is just a smidge under 100 sqm (70ft x 15ft of growing space plus shed and greenhouse space of about 12ft) - when oh when will I learn to either use all metric or all imperial? I'm confused!
Anyway, this is perfect for a couple starting out, more than enough for a single person starting out, but not nearly big enough once you have only managed to narrow your planting list down to about 48 varieties....I could use another 1/2 plot for more spuds and leeks really
all depends what you want to do with it ? :D
I contacted the council again today, its not a 3 year waiting list as I first thought - its a 10 year one :(
I'm getting my name down anyway but this private plot seems my only choice. I've been growing since I was a kid but for the past 3 years I've been getting worse for growing in buckets, pots and growbags. Its about time I made the move.
I'm going to opt for a 20 x 5m (100sqm) plot, it will get me started and he's still plenty of room in the new section. If I want to expand I maybe could at the end of the year.
Quote from: GlentoranMark on April 21, 2009, 17:04:35
I contacted the council again today, its not a 3 year waiting list as I first thought - its a 10 year one :(
I'm getting my name down anyway but this private plot seems my only choice. I've been growing since I was a kid but for the past 3 years I've been getting worse for growing in buckets, pots and growbags. Its about time I made the move.
I'm going to opt for a 20 x 5m (100sqm) plot, it will get me started and he's still plenty of room in the new section. If I want to expand I maybe could at the end of the year.
We started with a half plot, about 9x13 metres.
The half next to us was offered to us as the fella who had it couldn't cope with his whole one.
I've basically done 6 months, on average 4 hours per week to clear both halves (they were terrible!!!!!) and as soon as I get a bed cleared we fill it!!
The more the better but then ours is only £31/ year including water bill, and that's a society not council!