.Mods please remove and re-post (even mullti-post?) wherever if you think fit; I really need a lot of input - and quickly. Thanks me deres, Lish X
I've not been posting here much this past year - Old Age'n orl that's kept me from this growing lark :( - but, while I'm having to buy me veggies at the market, etc. I've still been working on-line for local 'lotmenteers + those wanting to start.........
Right! Current Campaign where I'm hoping your input can help, please - ideally I'm wanting to put some facts before a committee before they break for Xmas on the 24th - alternatively I'm planning to wreck their 2013? :glasses9:
Currently, new use of a site of waste land is up for grabs (Big Money available for Big Projects - and Big Money/Big Corporation input talks?).......it was previously allotments and, because we're in a conservation/preservation area friends and I are pressing for this area to be restored as such.
Out of the group, I'm the only one who's actually got lottie creds :glasses9: and even so,. hey! wot I dun't know I've got mates wot does.......y'know wot I mean?
I'm hoping that wherever the Mods decide to place this, you'll put it in your faves & decide to come back to p'raps chip in more over time to help me rebuff/agree with whatever Them Wot Does decides.
Thanks. Lish
Right! Off the top of me poor ead and scrambled brains.....
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
Would you travel further - how far?
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Is there water on site?
If not, do you use water butts?
Are you allowed a shed?
Dimensions?
Are the water butts attached to this?
Is there electricity to the site?
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Orl for now.......
lsterzzzz,
XXX Lish
Quote from: Lishka on December 21, 2012, 16:06:10
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
About a quarter of a mile
Would you travel further - how far?
Yes, maybe a mile
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Car
Is there water on site?
Yes, but we are not allowed to water by hose. We are allowed to fill water butts with it.
If not, do you use water butts?
Yes
Are you allowed a shed?
Yes. There is a shed, or a share of a shed for every plot but we can put one of our own on our plot if we wish
Dimensions?
8' x 6'
Are the water butts attached to this?
They can be
Is there electricity to the site?
Electricity to the main meeting-room (the pavilion), Stores, Garage and toilets
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
The Association pays for it from funds raised by the Association fee paid by all plot holders
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
Depends on the person taking the plot - some people see it as a challenge but some are put off by an overgrown plot.
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
It would not be a priority
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
I would prefer level ground, but a slight slope would not put me off
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
I wouldn't take a plot that needed terracing
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
We have three toilets on site
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Having the tools all in one place would make it much easier for burglars to take them.
Quote from: Lishka on December 21, 2012, 16:06:10
.
Right! Off the top of me poor ead and scrambled brains.....
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
3 or 4 miles
Would you travel further - how far?
yes, at least twice that
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
car
Is there water on site?
only from water butts and fresh to fill up the 'tea butt'
If not, do you use water butts?
Are you allowed a shed?
yes
Dimensions?
varies between 6x4 and 7x5
Are the water butts attached to this?
yes, it's encouraged
Is there electricity to the site?
no
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
never been cleard when we've taken one on
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
only now, never used to think about it
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a
plot?
We were only too glad to get some land to grow in
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
We never thought about someone else paying for anything
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
used to be bucket and chuck it, now have new composting toilet
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
We have a communal shed with very strong locks and communal tools in the back, don't know what Ray would think of HIS tools being in there :toothy10:
Orl for now.......
lsterzzzz,
XXX Lish
Hi, Lish, lovely to hear from you xx
A quarter of a mile
Up to a mile
Foot mostly
Yes water dipping tanks
A 6x4 shed halved for two to share
Not yet but will be soon
No electrics
It puts most off but at least if they clear it then you know their keen
Not at all
Level prefered but a slight slope wouldn't matter
I wouldn't want terracing
Two basic toilets on site
Too many tools would be a burglary waiting to happen and in house bickering.
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
5 miles
Would you travel further - how far?
If I had to, 10 miles I guess.
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Car mainly, cycle sometimes.
Is there water on site?
Yes.
If not, do you use water butts?
Are you allowed a shed?
Not sure.
Dimensions?
Are the water butts attached to this?
Is there electricity to the site?
No.
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
That's the most enjoyable bit, I wouldn't want anyone doing the hard work for me.
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
Very low down in priorities. Any kind of soil is better than none at all.
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
South-facing would be fine. If it was south-facing and there was actually a depth of soil I don't think it could be too steep. North-facing would be possible if it wasn't too steep to cut out the sunlight, though I guess I'd have to terrace it to catch the sun if there was much of a slope.
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
I'd expect to do it all myself.
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
Public toilest near-by.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
I'd prefer private storage as stuff could go missing from communal storage and then it would be a bit awkward.
I travel a mile. The local one-way system makes it bit further than that to get home again.
I'd travel a bit further, 20mins on bicycle at the most.
I travel by bicycle if I can.
There are self-filling troughs with standard screw-on tap fittings across the site.
I have a waterbutt connected to my shed.
I have a shed.
Maximum size shed permitted is 8ft x 6ft.
I have a waterbutt connected to my shed.
No electricity on site. I use solar shed lighting if I need it.
There's no hard-and-fast about ground clearance. Sometimes the field sec will strim using the field strimmer for a new tenant if needed but he's also likely to charge them for his labour.
Test for pH? I don't know anyone who's ever done this. Not at all important.
Part of the field is on a slope. Over time every plot seems to have been terraced into four or five beds. No idea how steep it is but I'd not try to push a loaded wheelbarrow up it! For a brand new field, or major renovation then getting a JCB in to do the terracing and putting in decent steps would be a very good thing for the landlord to do, I'd have thought - plots that no-one wants are a waste of the space. The field is pretty tolerant of the 'on the hill' folks - with the steepness and the issue that the soil is mostly sand it's a difficult place to do well with - lots of folks go for deep rooted trees and fruit bushes and anything else that returns a passable crop is a bonus. A bit of a slope in ground oughtn't to stop anybody.
The field has wanted a toilet for years and years. Shed, bucket.
We have a shipping container and a communal shed. One man has the keys to both and he won't share so having either shed or container is pointless at the moment. Since we may have sheds folks store what they will in their own shed. Communal storage always seems fine but the temptation just to use X, or Y of someone else's will always be there and there's no assurance that things will be put back as found and things not being available, or put back broken or whatever is only likely to cause bad feeling. Communal power tools (mower, rotivator, strimmer, hedge cutter etc) seems like a good idea but is there a liability issue? There's certainly a maintainance issue.
Lishka
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How far do you travel to your allotment site? one mile
Would you travel further - how far? yes,up to three miles
How do you travel - foot/bike/car? all of these
Is there water on site? yes, two taps, all encouraged to also use butts
If not, do you use water butts?
Are you allowed a shed? yes
Dimensions?
Are the water butts attached to this? yes, and greenhouses too
Is there electricity to the site? no
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
plot holders responsibility to do so
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be? it should be,but isnt
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot? would bother me,yes
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this? no!
Toilets. How do you 'manage'? old fashioned way, even though we have a portaloo
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme? tools could go missing
Orl for now.......
I really want to thank youzall guys for your input so far :toothy10: and for anyone else who wants to contribute to this.
Come Sunday evening I'll get something together to launch at the landlords (think Intercept Missile? :sunny:) and I'll run it pass you for more comments before I launch it, if I may .......duck and you won't be hurt, promise... :angel11:
Although I've never had an allotment (always been able to grow what I want in my large garden), in an area where growing space is at a premium, I've come across a designated area for allotments near me which are now under threat of being turned into trendy 'community gardens' - backed by loads of money by prestigious backers. FINE!! My contention is that first the area must be offered to peeps on the local lottie waiting list (average wait for a lottie = 20yrs! according to the Secretary of our nearest Lottie Site......if there are no takers, then fine, but I really, really, really want to push the availability of the plots forward if I possibly can.....
(Weirdo questions about ph values of soil/terracing cos the plots might be on a slight slope(?!) etc. are those mentioned by one of the potential group of contributers to the renovation of the site,btw.)
XXX to you all, Lishka
How far do you travel to your allotment site? approx 1mile
Would you travel further - how far? possibly up to 5 miles
How do you travel - foot/bike/car? car as take tools equipment with me/ rubbish away to dump
Is there water on site? yes - easter ish to October ish
If not, do you use water butts? no
Are you allowed a shed? yes, with permission
Dimensions? any size so long as agreed beforehand
Are the water butts attached to this? up to plot holder
Is there electricity to the site? no
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated? n/a
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot? not as wouldn't know how it had been cleared and/or what nasty weeds were present which would be a greater deterrant to me taking on a plot - some plots on our site were just rotavated in order to look "pretty" but as we have couch grass and bind weed it just casued problems later
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be? not high unless issues with soil when digging over
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot? yes, depends on degree of slop and how much a wheelbarrow of compost is likely to run away with me.
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this? wherewithall/knowelege on how to yes and possibly a donation towards set up depending on how much it would cost
Toilets. How do you 'manage'? - bucket in the shed! or sport pavillion down the road
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme? would not be happy unless there were individual locable units within the communal area for each plot. as wouldn't know who had borrowed/used - not that have a problem with borrowing but it's never the ones who ask that cause issues. also would depend on where comunal area is in relation to plot, gate etc.
hope that helps.
more fuel for the fire...
How far do you travel to your allotment site? Maybe three quarters of a mile
Would you travel further - how far? I asked for a second plot on a site about 5 miles away. That would be my limit.
How do you travel - foot/bike/car? Any of these - depending on what I have to carry. Mostly bike.
Is there water on site? Yes - April to November.
If not, do you use water butts? Yes, I have four.
Are you allowed a shed? yes, but I haven't
Dimensions? ?
Are the water butts attached to this? No, they are on the greenhouse which is 10x6' if that is relevant.
Is there electricity to the site? no.
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated? -
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot? It is very important to me that it isn't done. In terms of weeds/brambles bushes etc I think it is much easier to clear a plot than maintain one so having to do clearance weeds out some of the unsuitable tenants. (Sorry if that offends anybody) Clearing the plot is also a great opportunity to get to know the plot and develop a relationship that will last. (Hope that doesn't sound too New Age). In terms of rubbish though, I think it is totally out of order that some plots come with a skip full of rubbish on them. With the help of some friends, I cleared two skip fulls of rubbish off one plot on our site last year so that the council would let it again. I think it is right that we do that kind of clearance before plots are let though the rubbish shouldn't be there in the first place.
Would testing for soil pH be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be? I've never done a pH test on soil, beyond planting things and seeing if they grow. Not necessarily a bad idea, but not my priority. I might do it if things refused to grow.
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot? Would be quite happy with a slope so long as it wasn't north facing. Come to think of it, my plot does slope facing north but its very shallow. Would happily swap for south facing slope!
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this? I don't think a spade is that expensive. What kind of slope are we talking? Do you need climbing ropes?
Toilets. How do you 'manage'? My compost heap is grateful for all contributions.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme? I know this works on some sites, but my tools are scattered around the plot. Some of them are in the greenhouse which isn't locked, and only a few feet away from pedestrian access. Fortunately nothing of mine gets stolen, but perhaps my tools aren't worth stealing.
One final point also on trendy "community gardens." I sensed you may not be keen. We have a community allotment on our site which covers 7 plots which were derelict when it started. The community allotment plays an important role in opening up allotment gardening to people who don't have the time to take on a whole plot. It also allows people to pick and choose a little about what sort of gardening jobs they enjoy. These people may not be suited to having their own plots but get the rewards of allotment growing in their own way. There have been plenty of people on our site who have take on a plot and then give up within a year or two. For others, the community allotment has served as their apprenticeship before taking on their own plot. It works well in that respect. It also provides an important forum for exchange of ideas and on a personal level gave me the opportunity to learn beekeeping. I'm all in favour of community gardens if they work alongside regular allotments.
How far do you travel to your allotment site? about 1.5 miles.
Would you travel further - how far? Not sure but one of my plot neighbours comes about 8 miles
How do you travel - foot/bike/car? car a plot neighbour used a bike and then found she was too tired to cycle home. I have used the bus.
Is there water on site? Well water
If not, do you use water butts? No hose pipes allowed have butts
Are you allowed a shed? No sheds no greenehouses no poly tunnels, no structures except bean canes -communal shed.
Dimensions?
Are the water butts attached to this? No
Is there electricity to the site? No Not allowed on site after dark.
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot? Pigs had been on site, no weeds, no worms, no slugs but compacted concrete soil. I would be worried if rubbish had been dumped on site
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be? Not done, but can estimated from weeds.
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot? My plot is slightly sloped to SW. Actually an advantage
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
Toilets. How do you 'manage'? I use a plastic pot and add to compost bin
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme? Things disappear and people borrow things, ok as long as they return.
Good luck with your allotments
How far do you travel to your allotment site? ABOUT 1 MILE
Would you travel further - how far? NOT SURE – DO NOT DRIVE
How do you travel - foot/bike/car? WALK
Is there water on site? YES. NO HOSEPIPES ALLOWED EXCEPT TO FILL BUTTS
If not, do you use water butts? YES
Are you allowed a shed? YES
Dimensions? MAX 8 X 10 BUT I THINK THERE ARE A COUPLE LARGER EITHER SUPPLIED BY PLOTHOLDER OR INHERITED FROM PREVIOUS
Are the water butts attached to this? UP TO PLOTHOLDER
Is there electricity to the site? NO
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated? N/A
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
WASN'T IMPORTANT TO ME BUT MAY BE TO SOME PEOPLE. NEW COMMITTEE NOW STRIMS PLOTS FOR LETTING
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be? VERY LOW DOWN
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot? THINK MINE WAS LEVEL WHEN I GOT THE PLOT. DUNNO HOW IT HAPPENED BUT NOW HAVE SLOPE
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this? DON'T THINK SO, OULD EXPECT TO HAVE TO PAY/DO IT MYSELF – THE SAME AS PUTTING IN RAISED BEDS ETC
Toilets. How do you 'manage'? I AM NEXT TO BOGS. SEPTIC TANK TYPE
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme? WOULD NOT LEAVE ANYTHING WORTH ANYTHING DOWN THERE AS THERE HAS BEEN THEFTS FROM SHEDS IE: EQUIPMENT. COMMUNAL SHEDS COULD CAUSE PROLEMS BETWEEN TENANTS DUE TO POSSIBLE "BORROWING" OF TOOLS ETC. THINK THERE USED TO BE A SCHEME FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT SHEDS TO STORE THEIR CANES IN DURING WINTER BUT HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. ONLY SECRETARY/CHAIRMAN HAS KEYS TO SHEDS DUE TO STORAGE OF GOODS FOR SALE.
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
4 miles
Would you travel further - how far?
6 miles
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Car
Is there water on site?
5 tanks with taps attached plus 2 freestanding taps - serving 56 plots
If not, do you use water butts?
n/a
Are you allowed a shed?
No
Dimensions?
n/a
Are the water butts attached to this?
n/a
Is there electricity to the site?
No
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
n/a
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
wysiwyg on our site
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
No
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
If terracing was required I would probably be put off
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
No
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
I have been known to apply a compost accelerator on occasion!
There are a couple of available toilets nearby.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Not in favour. I take tools back and forth ... some have tool chests (some locked most not) ... and some just leave tools lying around!
Brian
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
just over a mile
Would you travel further - how far?
yes if I had to but there are 4 sites at about the same distance from my home. I'd maybe travel up to 4 or 5 miles?
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Mostly by car. It's uphill all the way home and, if I've been working on my plot all day or am carrying a lot of produce, I am too tired to walk or cycle home.
Is there water on site?
Yes we have a number of standpipes. Hoses are tolerated.
If not, do you use water butts?
Quite a few members have water butts.
Are you allowed a shed?
Yes - one shed and one greenhouse. There are plots with more but not any new ones since we brought in the new constitution about 4 years ago.
Dimensions?
8 x 6 max but there are bigger ones that were put up before the new constitution.
Are the water butts attached to this?
Yes - attached to sheds and/or greenhouses.
Is there electricity to the site?
No electricity but we're hoping to build a site hut with solar panels.
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
No electricity
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
No ground clearance - that's the job of the plot holder. We start all new members on a quarter plot for a six month trial. Once they show us they can cope they get the next available full/half plot (depending on what they want). We are a private site run by an elected committee of volunteers. We have enough to do running the site without clearing people's plots for them. Having said that, we will often give folk a hand if they take on a particularly hard plot.
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
No - I had my plot for 5 years before I tested the soil ph! NowI really just check where the brassicas are going.
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
I certainly wouldn't like a very steep plot but we have quite a few and the plot holders make a good job of tending them. The bigger problem is for the ones at the bottom of the hill that tend to get flooded.
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
No
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
Bucket in the shed, add to compost. Community centre down the road. Friend's flat nearby. Nip home. One or two folk have composting toilets in a shed.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
We all have our own storage apart from the newcomers on the quarter plots who share a shed (among 4) with a combination lock. So far this has worked well. We intend to store communal stuff (tables for annual show, strimmer etc) in our site hut once we get one! I suppose if people stored their stuff centrally there might be issues of who owns what. Also it is an easier target for break-ins. Having your own shed is part of the enjoyment of having a plot.
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
200 meters
Would you travel further - how far?
No car, so not much more than a mile
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
walk
Is there water on site?
yes, about 1 tap/5 plots
If not, do you use water butts?
I do use butts
Are you allowed a shed?
yes
Dimensions?
mines, 5ftx6ft, not sure what the max is
Are the water butts attached to this?
yes, and the greenhouse
Is there electricity to the site?
no
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
would exspect to do this byself, but would exspect help if it had been used to dump rubbish
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
I have a cheapy ph meter that I got for free, so I use that.
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
Half my plot has a 1:8 gradiant, would not want anything steeper
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
Hmmm, maybe, if heavy equipment is needed.
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
Composting loo on site, or I can pop home.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Perfer own shed, we have a small communal shed with a few communal tools which is nice.
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
2.8 miles
Would you travel further - how far?
I'd go another 2-3 miles
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
bike/car
Is there water on site?
yes - 8 dip tanks with hose attachements
If not, do you use water butts?
I do not use buttsl
Are you allowed a shed?
yes
Dimensions?
not determined but approval has to be given
Are the water butts attached to this?
NA
Is there electricity to the site?
no
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
NA
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
Not important at all - I'd like to see what I am dealing with in terms of weeds etc..
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
No - low
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
I am on a railway embankment - so slopes dont worry me - we terrace ours!
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
No
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
Pee on the compost heap - Number two's have to wait
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Not happy if that is compulsary - we do have this for people without sheds and naturally tools get " borrowed"
It's interesting to read all the replies to this - and a bit surprising to see
that our site seems to be the only one with electricity and toilets.
When some of our plot holders moan about the cost of the plot maybe this
is something I could remind them about.
Quote from: Lishka on December 21, 2012, 16:06:10
How far do you travel to your allotment site?
About half a mile.
Would you travel further - how far?
I'd be OK with several miles, although that would mean car journeys only and costs would rise.
How do you travel - foot/bike/car?
Car or bike. Usually car, since we often need to carry chicken feed as well as tools.
Is there water on site?
Yes, several taps
If not, do you use water butts?
But we use water butts too
Are you allowed a shed?
Not on the allotment itself, although provision is made for a few sheds along one side of the site, under large trees, where nothing will grow. It's over the other side of the site from us, so we don't have one, and instead use a "bunker" with a lid to store a few things.
Dimensions?
Some are as big as 10' x 8'
Are the water butts attached to this?
We have a water butt fed from the roof of one of the chicken runs.
Is there electricity to the site?
No
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?
n/a
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?
It's clearly important to some people, and the council will clear and rotavate a plot prior to someone taking it over.
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?
Not a big priority for us. But it would be if the soil was particularly acid or alkaline
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?
Yes, a gentle slope is acceptable, but I would be deterred by a hill, even with terraces.
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
Not really, although all contributions would be gratefully accepted
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?
There are no loos on site. We have a small group of mature fruit trees and bushes where a discreet pee is possible for ladies. Much easier for blokes.
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
I'd be OK with security, and the basis that I wouldn't leave anything too precious there. But I've noticed that a few people constantly complain about thefts of tools and produce from their allotments, while the rest of us don't have any problems. I can imagine that tempers would get frayed over imagined losses from communal storage, so I probably wouldn't use it.
Just a quick in-and-out to thank you all for your replies. I'll be back tomorrow.
Lishka
How far do you travel to your allotment site?Would you travel further - how far?
approx 2.5 metres
[i]How do you travel - foot/bike/car?[/i]
foot
Is there water on site?[/i]
Some communal wells that are free to use if one has a pump
If not, do you use water butts?[/i]
Yes..most of the used water is saved rain water
Are you allowed a shed?[/i]
Yes
Dimensions?[/i]
No size restrictions or limit for the quantity of sheds per plot
Are the water butts attached to this?[/i]
Yes to some
Is there electricity to the site?[/i]
No
How is this metered and how is your cost calculated?[/i]
N/A
Thinking of your site - how important is prior ground clearance before you take over the plot?[/i]
If we have plot that is not cared for...we keep worst of the growth down with weedkiller until new 'owner' can take over. If left totally over grow it is quite challenge to find brave enough people to take over the plot....so some clearance is important.
Would testing for soil ph be on your priority list - or where on your list would it be?[/i]
Oh no..no importance and It has never even entered to the 'list' of priorities as such.
Our soil type is very obvious over here and there is no major problems associated with soil preparations
Ground orientation - would it bother you if the land sloped away from where you were standing? And if so, what degree of slope might make you want to refuse a plot?[/color]Some sloping would not matter, though if there is land slides or soil washed away...that would be 'degree' too much
If you might need terracing on a slope, would you expect you landlords to provide the money or wherewithall for you to accomplish this?
Umm...difficult to answer. But if the ground is useable without terracing...perharps then I would not expect anything to 'help'..if it would almost impossible then yes, I would expect some structure being provided.
Toilets. How do you 'manage'?[/i]
Well..If its no1...I might result to bucket or do 'watering' straight on the ground...no2 is quick run to home or if is 'sudden job'(emergency), bucket 'job' and then spade and hide the 'treasure' in the hedge bottom.... :toothy10:
Communal storage of yr equipment - how secure would you feel if your tools,etc. were locked into a communal shed and what drawbacks could you see to this scheme?
Hm..would not be comfortable unless there would be lockable individual bays or boxes. To provide good security it can be quite costly stucture to put up to start with.
Again, thanks so much everyone for your input. I notice that the replies come from a goodly spread of places in the UK - and that the 'bukkit-and-chuckit'method of adding uric acid to the compost heap finds universal favour too :icon_cheers:
Firstly I'd like specifically to address the comment which Winecap made re: my obvious lack of enthusiasm for this proposed use of a volunteer group, following their own agenda, to take over the derelict plots and turn them into a Community Garden. It's true, absolutely true, for this area. My aim is to demonstrate to the Landlords how these few (10-12 max) neglected plots can be returned to those on the allotments waiting lists with minimum spend . I'd like also to suggest to them that they might provide a 6x4 shed for each plot as it becomes let-able for the tenants individual use for tool storage (and, of course, The Bukkit). But for the volunteer group, with added Corporate funding from Kraft, I've a much more ambitious idea - that of being 'gifted' by B'ham City Council, a portion of Bournville Park for the very purpose of turning it into a Community Garden. The Volunteer Group have the expertise and track record in this work, the land is adjacent to both an Infants and Junior School, Cubs/Scouts/Brownies/Girl Guides groups. elderly peeps,handicapped (various) groups etc. etc. and is on a bus route for easy access to all. And there's water from whatever the river is called which runs through it (Rea, something like that?) I've already identified the local Councillors/Alderman who might well be enthusiastic to champion this also and push for the ground being released......
But back to our forgotten allotments.Under all the brambles etc. the ground is sound, apart from a patch infected by Japanese Knotweed now in its 2nd year of systemic spraying - historically it was always used as allotments until these fell out of favour 15-20 years ago when young new tenants preferred to buy their greens from a shop rather than grow them, and the rent still paid by a friend who has 2 adjoining allotments there bears witness. = still £1 per year!
You've all certainly given me enough to present to the Estates Dept. early next week and I'll let you know how it goes.
Again, many thanks,
Lish