Allotment size, a full or half plot, advice for newbie

[lalamumto3]

hi I would welcome some advice please.

I have been emailed to say that I am near the top of the waiting list and asking if I still want a plot. The answer is of course yes.

My question is if I am offered a half plot or a full plot and all other things are equal such as access to water which would you advise?

I don't work and have 3 children at school so hope to get there twice a week for a couple of hours.

Thanks

[dreamingofsun]

for that amount of time i would suggest a half size - thats what i have and in the summer i'm there longer than that - so i don't think that amount of time would be sufficient for a full size.

if you started with a full size could you downsize if it was too much - ie split your plot in half and get rid of a section? the site may/may not allow this. you could put all your permanent things on one side just in case you went down this route.

for me half size is about right.

[IScreamForIceCream]

I don't have an allotment... yet. I am on the list.

I would take a full size, and put fruit bushes on one half and be fairly relaxed with them - eg bung them in, not worry too much about shape etc if time was an issue. But then I am obsessed by fruit bushes (2 days time at Aldi special buy - cannot wait!) and as I don't actually have an allotment, possibly also deluded.

[EauRouge]

I've just taken on a half plot and I plan to do a few hours a week too. It doesn't look massive to start with, but wait until you start clearing off the brambles, strimming the grass and raking it up. It seems pretty damn big then

Allotment people are lovely and will share all their knowledge with you. I've been told a lot of people start with half plots and then move up to full size if they think they need it. If you do decide to move to a full size plot then you can always take cuttings of a lot of plants. And you don't know what you may inherit- I've already saved a few quid by inheriting some goji bushes instead of having to fork out for them. I've also got half a fruit cage so I won't have to spend loads of time and money building one from scratch.

[dreamingofsun]

lala - so what did you go for in the end?

[shobby]

It all depends on if you get the allotment 'bug' or not: if you do, and find yourself spending more time than you imagined at the plot, a half plot will soon not be enough! If however it turns out you gradually spend less and less time there and it gets to be a chore rather than a pleasure, a half plot will seem more than enough. Most sites offer half or even quarter size plots to new plotholders until they see if it is for them: unfortunately there is a high drop out rate amongst new allotmenteers even when plots are scarce, it is harder work than most people realise, and you do need to commit time regularly all year to keep the plot weed free and productive. I have had my allotment since 2006 and recently couldn't get down to the plot for six weeks due to illness, the weeds grew without check and I am still playing catch up a month later! I love it though, it is my hideaway where I switch off the phone and recharge my own batteries...

[lalamumto3]

Hi thanks so much for all your comments. I have been offered a half plot, but can't go to see it until the weekend. I am very excited and keen to see it and get going with it.
I am aiming to clear a small bed and get something in before the end of August, what would you suggest? I was thinking lettuce, spinach .

Any advice great fully received.

[dreamingofsun]

there's a thread on here about getting started on one. from what u have said i think a half plot will suit u fine. if its really weedy you might like to invest in some thick black plastic to put down to start killing them. i used this last winter as well to stop the weeds growing - my neighbours had to weed instead in the spring.

the rhs website does a month by month thing

hope u enjoy it as much as i am - its a great stress reducer

[ghostmous3]

I am so envious of people who get offered half or full plots. My local council will only offer quarter plots now in order to cut the waiting lists and its not big enough really. They wont upgrade you either and only 1 plot per household.

Congratulations though :) i have had my little plot for a 5 weeks and I love it but its very hard work.

I also think a half plot is fine too, you will have so much enjoyment from an allotment, i love the community side of it too

[GnomeDePlume]

TBH I would take what is offered and then just go from there.

We started with a 5 pole plot and now have more like 20 pole. Once you are on the field you will get an idea of what you want.

What you are able to plant will depend on the allotment society rules. We are fortunate that our society is private (we are all shareholders). We are allowed to grow anything except weeds and drugs.

This is a lovely time of year to start work on your allotment. You have the good weather to allow you to start digging it over. You can look at putting in things like autumn planting onions, shallots, garlic which you will harvest next year.

Then you can spend the winter snuggled up with a mug of tea and the seed and plant catalogues.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Ours are 5 rods (full plot), I started mine this time last year and am only using half of it. My DCs are at primary school and I work 3 days, but it is very close to home so I can pop in and out easily. Mine had been so badly neglected that half of it had reverted to turf, with quite a few fruit bushes, I have only cultivated the other half this year and that has been plenty of work, it could have been better with more effort too. I've found that is took my quite a while to acquire all the tools and bits and bobs you need up there, it's so easy at home where everything is on hand, I didn't want to spend too much money on a duplicate set of everything, but you can make life very hard work for yourself if you don't have the proper tools. I'm finding crop protection the trickiest part, my ramshackle canes and nets aren't really doing the job but proper stuff seems very expensive.

I think the problem if you take a half plot and want to expand is not getting another half close to your first one.

[GnomeDePlume]

The best tools I have came from Wilkinsons. They have an everyday value range and also a better range with wood handles and stainless steel blades. The latter are really great.

If you are buying tools for the first time then IMO go for smaller rather than larger spade and fork. These are sometimes called border fork and spade. They are a bit lighter and easier to handle.

The tools we use the most are fork, spade and rake.

[lalamumto3]

Hi thank so much for all the replies. Well I have my lottie and love it. Really lucky as it has 4 fruit trees, rest is mainly grass and straw!

I am trying to go most days for an hour and just aiming to clear a small bit each day, have bought some salad leaves to sow, just want to get something in , will then plant a bit as I clear.

Agree that there does seem a lot to buy, I really want a little shed, so am looking on eBay, fingers crossed.

[meglet]

Happy Gardening! It's quite a learning curve. I even had to decide on my allotment wardrobe .

I started on my (tidy) half plot in April and we've grown spuds, toms, onions, courgettes and leeks. The retired gardeners give me lots of tips so I'm kind of just doing as I'm told! Heaven knows what a pickle I'd be in without their knowledge.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Yes to border spades, I have a small one and it's far easier to use than a regular spade. My best tool of all time is a fork with a long handle (total length about 5'), you get so much more leverage than with a normal one. I use it more than all my other tools put together I would say.

[lalamumto3]

Hi quick update, before I head out in the rain. I have cleared about half of it now and have followed the advice to clear and plant as I go. Have planted salad leaves and radishes from seeds, then cauliflower and purple sprouting broccoli plug plants. I have cleared a bed ready for more plug plants, which should arrive next week (spring cabbage, chard, spinach and mustard). I am now trying to clear the next bed, have decided to dig for now and not use weed killer, but I may have to if the couch grass I have cleared comes back. I have to say that I do love it and am hoping to get the other half of the plot at some time (it is currently let, but is not being worked and is very over grown!).
Would it be worth me planting some seed potatoes in bags for December new potatoes?
Am also going to try garlic and will plant some rhubarb and raspberry canes.

[dreamingofsun]

lala - glad its going well. i planted polka autumn raspberry's last year and i've had loads of fruit off them. strawberrys might be worth considering as you can plant them through membrane and i've got a load of runners off them in the first year - so now have 2 beds.

now is also the time to sew broad beans - not done these before, but everyone raves about how much more tasty they are and easy to do