Hi folks,
I am an allotment novice, having just applied for one this year. I've only grown tomatoes, strawberries, courgettes and a few herbs in the past, in containers. Anyway, I applied for an allotment and I'm in the wonderful situation of having two to choose from. And here's my problem. One is a total mess--it hasn't been used for at least a year, perhaps two (I can't remember exactly what the site rep said). The council might be able to help me clear it--I think the site rep said something about flaming, whatever that is? However, the site rep is lovely, and whenever I've been to the site there are always people working on it. The other site is in a lovely location with quite nice views, and it's near a river (but perhaps that means it's particularly bad for rats--there was a very portly cat hanging out when I visited the 2nd time!). If I correctly identified the plot, then it seems to have been in use fairly recently and there seems to be an abandoned wheelbarrow on it! However, the two occasions I've visited I've never met anyone there (first time was early/mid-November) and the plots aren't well labelled, so I can't be entirely sure I've seen the right one. None of the allotments in that site look overly neglected. I can't decide whether I should go for the extra hard work plot on a site with a really friendly and supportive group of people, or a less tricky start (assuming I've found the right plot) with neighbours I might never ever see. As I'm a complete novice--I don't even know how to dig!--I can't help but think the advice and support I'll get in the messy allotment might make up for whatever back-breaking pain I have to go through to begin to cultivate some of my plot.... Does anyone have any advice? I think soil type is probably much of a muchness--this is a clay area, and the two sites aren't that far apart.
Thanks for any advice you more experienced people can offer. (I've already checked out suggestions for clearing a site, and the friendly site rep says there's a good supply of black plastic available if I want it....)
Melanie
Take the smallest one, seriously you can grow all you need and more, on half the size of the normal allotment plot. I cannot remember the standard size, something to do with rods, poles or chains. It will not be so daunting and the dreaded 'wataviletmeselfinfer' will not kick in so early.
hi mel.if i was you i would go for the one that has been empty for a year or two.you said you saw some people there,i think that is a good sign,so you know there will always be people around that you can ask for advice.im sure the other people will know who had that plot last.thay could tell you what was grown where.also i think the council should have a site ranger who will eventually clear up your site he may make a fire to burn all the rubish.Remember to take some picture of the site.as for digging its simple as long as you take it easy just do a little at a time.it the ground it hard use a garden fork now is a great time to dig,dont break the clods of earth let nature do that.where is your plot im in sheffied. ::)
I'd go for the first option. OK so the other one may be less work to begin with, but it sounds like you'll get more support from the first site, which could mean less work and better crops in the long run!
The initial dig will only take a few months, but you'll get support and friendship for much longer.
Dear all,
Many thanks for your advice.
Heritage, I think they're the same size--6 rods, which is just over half the standard allotment size of 10 rods. (It doesn't mean very much to me yet--they both look huge!)
Greenfingers and Aquilegia, your posts have confirmed my hunch that it is best to go for the plot on a site with a good community feel. I shall certainly do that. Oh, and Greenfingers, I'm in Southampton. I was really surprised to get an allotment at all so quickly, since I only applied back in October, having spent the best part of two years thinking about it.
The next thing is to get hold of some good but inexpensive tools, if there's any such thing! I heard stainless steel are the best, but I'm not sure my budget will stretch that far. I'll have to search the boards to see if there's a thread on tools already.
Many, many thanks for the advice and encouragement.
All best,
Melanie
Hi Mel, nice to hear that you have taken up the challange and want allotment, when i asked for my plot, i was asked the same, full or half plot, i was told by people on the plot by mine to take a full plot, in time.......
You will find that you want to grow more because you and your famliy enjoy the taste of freashly grown foods,
Enjoy the gardening of the plot,
Enjoy the other members at the site,
A good place to ask for advice and help from people who knows the area and ground,
Flaming is the Burning Off of weeds, and if the council will help (saves your back) lucky you,
When it comes to cleaning and digging the plot yourself,do small bits at a time, plant and enjoy it,
what you cant dig this year, manure then cover with black plastic untill YOU can clear/dig it,
Build a compostbin for free plant food,
Rats---sick looking cat---could be Poisons, close to a river bank--- insects in the summertime---think hard, do you have childrens, wire netting cant fix everything.
Hope this helps
Windy
Well you should have told me first it was in Southampton! Never mind it's not your fault.
I be a true bred country lass
and me Father comes from Fareham
me mothers got a few like me
and well knows how to rear em
some folks call me bacon face
and others turnip head
but I can prove I ain't no fool for I be country bred
For I can plough or milk a cow
I can reap or mow
I be fresh as a daisy that grows in the field
And they call I Buttercup Flo.
6 rods is good for a beginner, but I would not go near the river as those Southampton pirates will be coming ashore to plunder your plot. Cheap tools, down in the basement at R. Dylas next to Woolies. Good luck Buttercup.
Hi again,
Windygale, thanks for explaining flaming! Sounds a bit scary--I hope the council _will_ do it for me because it sounds a bit tricky and I don't want to accidently burn the neighbouring sweetcorn. I rang midweek but I haven't heard back yet. Fingers crossed.
I am on the lookout for things to build a compost bin from; haven't seen any pallets yet and the local area is a bit short on the skip front. I had my eye on some nice window frames (complete with glass) to make into a cold frame but alas they've gone.
I'll avoid the site with the fat cat--it looked quite healthy, but you're right about the river and rats etc. And I'd forgotten about the insects. So, yes, that's another reason to go with the overgrown plot!
No kids yet, so I think 6 rods will suit us just fine for a while. I do plan to do it gradually because I don't want to overload myself.
Heritage: Hello again! Are you in Southampton too? Your map seems to suggest you're at least near by--Fareham?! Thanks for the Robert Dyas tip. I'll definitely pop in there. The cheapest I'd found so far were in the hardware store in Portswood--about 18/19 pounds each for a stainless steel fork and spade. (I like to support small/independent shops if I can, but sometimes the budget just doesn't allow it.)
I'm getting quite excited about this now! I have a list of things I want to grow which is just huge--I don't think I'll get to them all this year. I'm still trying to get my head round what goes in when and where things should go in a rotation etc etc. I keep having to remind myself that I won't be able to do it all in one go. No doubt once I actually start digging I'll get a bit more realistic about it....
All best,
Melanie
I am nearer than you think, I can see Southampton from my window. I used to live in Fareham, but I took a day trip to Cowes and lost my return ticket.
Lucky you!
Isn't there a garlic festival on the Isle of Wight, or am I getting mixed up with somewhere else? I've been meaning to go--and yes, I'm a bit garlic-obsessed at the moment!
All best,
Melanie
Well it's not to late to dig a strip and get some planted for next year. Garlic festival is in a place called Arreton which is also full of garden centres because it is the sunniest spot in England. Next years dates are the 20th and 21st August. Don't forget your passport ;D
Wish there was more community spirit on our plot. Had the plot for over a year now, and still haven't met all the plot holders, and in the spring and summer I visit almost daily! Since September I have only seen one person and she is the site guvna' just passing through checking everything was okay. It is nice to get away from it all, the noise of the kids and the hubub of life, but it can be lonely, and a bit spooky on your own, surrounded by woods and farmland....
Being on a friendly site can be a mixed blessing lol. A typical day for me at the moment is this.
9.30 arrive on allotment and feed cat
9.35 start digging
10.00 Sam stops for a chat
10.25 we are joined by Lawrence
11.00 Chairman arrives and we nip onto his plot to discuss something or other and have a cup of tea
12.00 return to my plot and decide to start a different job instead
12.15 Another chat with another passer by
12.30 cuppa
12.40 am asked to help Neil with the trailer
12.50 start walking back to plot but stop to chat over Mike's hedge
1.30 back to plot to restart original digging
1.45 Chairman reappears for cuppa at my end
2.20 Decide it's too late to get anything done so leave plot
2.21 stop to chat to Tom
2.40 stop to chat to Jerry
3.00 leave site
Work done 1/10
Work postponed 9/10
Day enjoyed 10/10
So far so good with my new lottie, the first day I met Albert one of the cloth cap stereotype’s we talked more than we worked, 8) on the second visit met Karen, ;) lovely young lady (don’t tell the wife) we’re both novices so we will be able to teach each other a thing or two. :o ;D
Hi Melanie, sounds like you have made your choice now.
If you are going for the first plot you describe - it's probably not in such a bad state if it has been worked in the last couple of years. Usually if that is the case the weeds are all over, but not like the thick-entangled-sprawling-root-mass that you get after 5 years or so.
And the other plot by ther river could have no taps on site - cos of the proximity of the river - and would be a right pain.
Also, you have to consider how you might feel on your own on the plot. I'm often on my own on our plot, but we are overlooked by flats and that gives me some feeling of security.
Actually, on that topic (know it's not a nice topic), but we have a relative in the met police and he says that when a s*x offender is released from prison, they are often restricted as to where they are allowed to go, and one of the places they are prevented from going is allotments. Now I don't know whether that is cos they are listing all publice spaces as "out-of-bounds" or whether allotments are the sinister places this implies.
Anway, like the others say - do it bit by bit and you will get there in the end. There is still plenty of digging season left before you need to start planting and sowing.
And let us know how you get on...
Sarah.
Hi all,
Wonderful to have so many replies--thank you all so much for your support and encouragement.
I'm heading to the allotment on Thursday to take a 'before picture' and to see if I can begin to clear a small strip for garlic. Heritage--thanks for the garlic festival info! We'll try to make it next year.
EJ and Sarah-B: I have to say that safety did come into it for me. I tend to be easily spooked, and I think the busier site would be better for me from that perspective.
djbrenton: What a good job I love tea! It seems like my intake might go up a bit more if my site is as sociable as yours! I am also amused by the visiting cat--obviously recognises a good thing when s/he sees it! But I'm sure allotments are great places for cats--all those mice and freshly raked seed beds....
A friend has just said she has a spare garden fork, so it seems that I just need to get a spade now. And last night I saw some pallets outside a house a few streets away--with any luck I can get hold of them for my first compost bin!
Happy allotmenteering,
Melanie
Mel the other place to go to get cheap tools are car boot sales, or look through your local paper!
Good luck, whichever you choose you will soon become addicted! DP
Yes boot sales are a good idea - most of the stuff nicked from allotment sheds ends up there...
Well done Melanie. I too took safety in to account when choosing my lottie site.
Before photos are great for you to measure how you are getting on, I still like to look at my 'befores' to cheer me up when I know I still have half a plot to rough dig.
'Recycling' shops on refuse sites may also be a great place to get second hand tools.
I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing about your progress. :D
Thanks for the continuing encouragement. The bad news is that I haven't been able to get hold of the allotment person at the council yet for help with 'flaming'. Looks like it might have to be a more traditional method of clearing the plot, which is fine. I'll post my before photos once I've finished the film (we haven't gone digital yet).
Thanks for the tools tips--I'm keeping my eyes peeled.
All best & have a great festive season,
Melanie
Hi Malanie
no matter what plot you have taken dont try and do it all at once do a bit at a time,and enjoy it so long there is a piece of garden dug to get some early crops in, Cover a large piece with black polythene to start and kill the weeds until you have got time to do it
Allan :)
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Many thanks Allan!
Actually, today I've been presented with a garden fork and a rake and . . . . some garlic (virus free)! So I just need to get a spade and a warmer hat and gloves this afternoon, and I'll go up tomorrow and make a little start.
All best for a wonderful Christmas. I am envious of all you lucky folks who will be eating homegrown sprouts with Christmas dinner--with any luck I'll be among your number this time next year!
BTW, has anyone tried those red brussel sprouts--Red Bull? I saw them in the Marshalls catalogue, I think. Do they keep their colour after being cooked?
Happy Christmas,
Melanie
I am giving red spouts a go next year Melanie, dunno if they keep their colour.......anyone......
red bull- i've grown these-yes, they do keep colour when cooked! kind of purpley blue.