Allotments 4 All

I bet this has been asked a million times before...

but, our council have just offered us a lottie, no waiting list, not too far away from where we live. Great  ;D

Except that there is no water on site. So, we are going to have a look at the site, and try to talk to some of the current folk, but what is everyones view on how to cope without running water - is it possible to survive with a water butt and by bringing barrells of water from home?

Any help, advice, guidance MUCH appreciated

Thanks in advance

My site doesn't have water, but everyone seems to be okay. I can't speak from experience, as I've only just recently got the plot.

You can always set up some waterbutts. We have communal ones, and I intend on getting my own as well.

I see today that Maldon have got a hosepipe ban already, so we may all be high and dry by summer.

I rarely water anything once it's growing. I have two butts and a pump on site but hardly ever use the pump. If you have a roof of any sort then you have the capability to catch enough water to see you through. Start looking for containers.

With lids - to keep the water sweet.

I agree with Ken the only time I water established plants is to give them comfrey tea every couple of weeks in the summer.

We do not have plumbed in water, but we do have access to a muddy ditch, which dries up when you need it most, mid summer!  However, I have 4 waterbutts now on site, but the only time I water is when sowing a row of seeds I water the drill and when planting seedlings if the ground is dry or rain isn't forecast for the next 24hours.  I get huge pumpkins, more sweetcorns than the jolly green giant can cope with and sackfulls of spuds.  The only thing I find is somethings bolt quickly.  To try and help this, I have encorporated loads of home made compost and rotted manure.

Are there a lot of council owned sites with no water supply? According the the guidelines on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister web site (available here: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_urbanpolicy/documents/page/odpm_urbpol_608056.hcsp, with a pdf version for download), and I quote:

"An accessible water supply is essential. The allotment authority should ensure every plot holder has access to a mains water supply and that it is easy for elderly and disabled gardeners to use it."

I wonder whether most councils have actually read the guidelines, or indeed the relevant Allotment Acts!

I doubt it very much, SpeedyMango.

MM