I had an e-mail this morning

[elephantoverthehill]

offering me an allotment . I can't go and see it until Saturday due to work, but what factors do I need to consider and questions do I need to ask myself? It is pretty big 125 sq metres. If I do take it, which I probably will as I have been on the waiting list for 2 years, apart from clearance of the ground what else would I need to do at this time of year?

ooh, exciting!
you could always come and join us lot on the allotment thread :)
here
we are a friendly bunch.
Right - basic questions to ask/ think about
Have you access to water
Can you good access to get heavy stuff there ( compost/manure/ etc)
Is it secure
Measure it well ( a big tape measure would help) so you can plan it out
Where does the sun come from ( rather a tricky one at the moment mind...)
Are you shaded /overshadowed by trees ( may make a difference to what and where you plant things)
What is the condition - loads of horrible perennial weeds/ brambles ,
Are you allowed a shed, is there any community sources for seeds/plants/help ( there may be a Hoticultural Society, or National Allotment Society)
This time of year is mostly getting it into shape for next year, but there are things you could sow straight away, just to get you a sense of growing - maybe some broad beans, possibly a bit late ( depending on whereabouts you are ) some overwintering shallots and garlic.
Time will be well spent deciding what you want to grow,
Its addictive, and often infuriating, but nothing is better than picking something you have grown, and going home and eating it !

Thanks bookbook, I didn't want to intrude upon the allotment thread with a 'new' thread. This is the description from the TC .
'Some time ago you put your name down for an allotment at Q Road Allotments, the above plot has now become available, if you are still interested in having a plot.

To view the plot, if you enter the Q Road site by the 5 bar metal gate between L Road and S Avenue, and then bear to you left down the grass slope, you will go past a shed with a sign saying ‘Little Green Fingers’ on your left, immediately after that is plot 89 followed by plot 90. The Plot runs from the path to the hedge at the rear alongside Qu Road. The plot is approx 125 sq metres. There is a shed on it but it is in a state and will need some TLC should you decide to keep it.

If you could view the plot please at your convenance and let me know whether or not you would like to take it on.'

I know I can park along the road for heavy stuff, but in all honesty it is less than 100 yards from my house. All I need is a wheel barrow.

that sounds very promising - but don't worry about intruding - we all love to share our knowledge (or lack of! )

I think the main thing is whether it's a decent patch of land that looks workable. You don't want a plot that's really shaded (a lot of veg like sun), or overly wet and boggy because there is nothing that you can do about those things! A bad site can mean that you put in loads of work only to find nothing thrives, which is really heartbreaking. From the description, it sounds pretty great! Do bear in mind that weeds look more intimidating than they really are when a piece of land has been left for a while .