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Original poster

Going to look at allotment on Friday <happy jig> What should I be looking for?

13 replies

MyFeatheryEasterBonnet · 01/04/2015 12:25

It's a private allotment as we're not eligible for a council one (who knew there was a postcode lottery for allotments Hmm)

We've had an allotment in the past, an overgrown bramble infested strip of wasteland that would break the soul of the most ardent gardener. We will not take on such a big project again.

So what questions do I need to ask and what ideally should I be looking for?

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheChocolateGoes · 01/04/2015 12:32

A tap close to your plot is really useful. Also, car access. At mine you can't get right up to the plots in a car, you have to wheelbarrow everything the last 100m over soft grass, which is a PITA when you want to get big bags of compost etc up there. Also means you can't have bulk manure delivered or anything. Ask if they have communal deliveries of manure and collections for waste, those are useful. Also ask what rules there are about sheds and bonfires.

shovetheholly · 01/04/2015 13:11

How exciting!

I think the most important things are those that you can't change. What aspect does it have (south facing? north facing?)? Are there parts that are shaded with hedges or trees? What is the soil type and pH (take a cheap kit with you). Does it look reasonably well-drained (or are there practically ponds of water in it), and - this is a good one - can you spot any pernicious weeds, e.g. bindweed, horsetail and (God forbid) Japanese knotweed.

A tap is a bonus, but the water hasn't been turned on in my allotment yet (it is a new site) and we managed last year by taking small amounts up in our car and then by installing a water butt.

Original poster
MyFeatheryEasterBonnet · 01/04/2015 13:38

See, water wouldn't even have crossed my mind Blush
I think I should make a list actually :o

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheChocolateGoes · 01/04/2015 13:42

Our taps got turned on last Friday, they go off for the winter. I'm thinking about getting a water butt now, there are odd times when you want water before Easter. Weeds aren't always easy to spot at this time of year unfortunately, especially if the plots get rotavated before new people take them on.

WhoKnowsWhereTheChocolateGoes · 01/04/2015 13:43

Also ask who looks after the communal parts, paths etc, how much of that will you have to do.

shovetheholly · 02/04/2015 10:35

Who knows - that is true.

When I took over my allotment, the council had rotavated it. Which was a nightmare, because effectively what they had done was to chop all the bindweed into tiny fertile pieces and then distribute them over newly turned soil.

I am going to be digging the stuff up for years.

WhoKnowsWhereTheChocolateGoes · 02/04/2015 11:45

I'm at peace with bindweed, I've had it in my garden for years, but I just pull it all out as much as possible, big armfuls of it come out of my shrubs, I find it quite satisfying! I know I'll never get rid of it, but it stays at manageable levels. I've got a bit of it in my allotment too but only in one corner. Buttercups, dandelions and thistles are my allotment foes.

GnomeDePlume · 02/04/2015 13:03

What are the local rules? Different societies have different rules. I remember the field steward taking us round and when we asked he said that we could grow anything except weeds and drugs (was more concerned about the weeds than the drugs!). I know that some societies dont allow the growing of fruit trees for example.

You say it is private, how long has it been in place? What sort of continuity will you have? We are on a private allotment which has been going since the mid 19th century so I am reasonably confident that there should be some permanence.

Is there a local stable or similar which can provide manure? We are able to get deliveries of about a ton for £10. It is a bit ad hoc mind.

Original poster
MyFeatheryEasterBonnet · 02/04/2015 13:26

We went a-snooping last night and it looks very pleasant. In even more exciting news, there are chickens on some of the plots :)

I have a good list of questions to ask tomorrow anyway, though to be honest it would have to be pretty dire for us not to take it as we are not eligible elsewhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyFeatheryEasterBonnet · 03/04/2015 23:47

Many thanks all, I am delighted to tell you that I am now the proud owner of an allotment :)

OP posts:
GnomeDePlume · 04/04/2015 09:24

Oh happy days!

What a great time of year to take it on. Plenty of time to get things started then time to step back again in the autumn.

Cant post more now, I am off to put the rest of my potatoes in.

insancerre · 04/04/2015 09:32

Yay!
We got our allotment during the week
We've bought 2 camping chairs, a red watering can, some gardening gloves and some seeds
Dh nearly bought a greenhouse then realised it wouldnt fit in the car
It already has a shed but we don't have the key so we might have to bust the padlock
Its got some plants growing on it already so that's a bonus, strawberries, I think they are
Its sunny here so we might go over later and do some tidying
What's everyone growing on their allotment then?

TheSpottedZebra · 05/04/2015 18:20

Ooh, how exciting - I've had my allotment for 2 months now, and I am loving it.
We have a general veg growing / allotment thread here you'd be very welcome to come join us?

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