Going to see our new allotment tomorrow - is there anything we should look out for?

[Jenkeywoo]

We've finally reached the top of the waiting list! We've been offered a half plot and we're going to see it tomorrow morning. We're expecting it to be in a pretty bad state as I'm sure it will have been neglected for some time, but is there anything we should look out for that would mean we shouldn't accept the plot? Someone has mentioned bindweed and said if it's prevalent there is no point even trying to take on the allotment. Any other hints and tips?

[chocolatespiders]

small pond

we took on allotment few years ago and the previous owners had made a tiny pond... and the frogs were dreaful... couldnt stand it in the end as they hopped all over... yes they ate the slugs but i do not like them at all.... had to give it up in the end...

[BigBadMouse]

One sign that you should definitely consider accepting it (not quite what you asked I know) is if it is covered in nettles - sign of a fertile soil. You can chop em all down and make nettle fertiliser too....trying to remember other things to look out for but can't remember anything more right now

I had bindwind on my allotment and it wasn't a terrible issue.

Why do you think the plot will have been neglected for some time if it has only just become avaialble? Am I missing the point? (I quite possibly am as I didn't have to wait for mine - lucky me )

[KatyMac]

They tend to become available because someone neglects them & the other allotment people complain about the weeds

[Jenkeywoo]

Yes I could be wrong but I think they only become available when someone dies or when they have been neglected for ages and ages and then they are taken off you and are re-allocated. It's so exciting, we've been on the waiting list since last summer so can't wait to see our potential plot. Will watch out for little ponds and frogs!

[KatyMac]

Make sure you find the right plot

[BigBadMouse]

It's a quiet night on MN so I googled a bit for you (and also for me or I'll be up all night trying to remember what you are supposed to look out for...got major rambling brain syndrome right now )

There are some ideas on these

www.keirg.freeserve.co.uk/diary/tech/start.htm

www.plotmyplot.co.uk/Articles/ChoosingAPlot.aspx

[discoverlife]

Try to talk to your potential neighbors, if they are organic they will not aprieciate you spraying Glycosphate all over the bindweed and nettles. you may have to become a secret night time sprayer. Check to make sure that all the other plot users haven't been using your plot to tyip all their refuse.

[Jenkeywoo]

thanks for the links, really interesting. We're gardening organic so no chance of spraying the nasties for us.

[KatyMac]

How was it?

[filthymindedvixen]

mares tail is an absolute curse....make sure there isn't nay. Otherwise, practically anything else can be cured with some good old fashioned digging!
Have fun

[Jenkeywoo]

Well we visited the plot today - it was great, much better than expected. It's about 5m x 20m and has been neglected for some time so was basically just grass. It will require a lot of digging but the soil may be happier for having been left fallow for a few years. The only problem.... We are organic gardeners and when we got there the grass was all brown and dried up - the allotment manager told us that she has 'helpfully' sprayed the whole plot with Round-up weed killer! . We were a bit gutted as it is not something we would have used ourselves but we want to make a go of it and so we're going to try to forget the weedkiiler bit and get on with planning for our new plot! It was really cute as both our DD's were really excited and dd1 who is 3 has already asked for a plot in which she will grow Strawberries and 'Crikey flowers' - (so called as last summer my mum always put on a air of surprise when she saw dd's marigolds and said 'Crikey your flowers are big!'.

[chocolatespiders]

best of luck with it......

raised beds may be easier then the digging the whole lot

[FuriousGeorge]

Round up contains Glyphosate,which I think is considered ok for organic plots by the Soil Association,as it deactivates as soon as it hits the soil.

The worst thing that coulsd be there,but wouldn't be evident until April/May,is Japanese Knotweed.That is impossible to shift without Round up.

Good luck & I hope you enjoy your new allotment.