Allotment advice needed!

Eliza252 · 2 May 2005 at 10:09AM

I have finally got an allotment! Woo woo!
This was a big decision for me as the only one I could get was MILES away from where I live, am going to have to spend money to get there - but I didnt get it to save money on food or anything. Really so I could grow my own veg, and get out of central London for a bit of fresh air meditation! - Kind of like those little weekend retreats that are fashionable with big city folk, except much smaller and with no roof, oh, yes and its only £9 a year to rent!
I have never had a whole patch of ground too look after by myself before and have no idea where to start!
The allotment is currently covered in big tufty grass, and bits of wood, including loads of old doors, and what looks like a chicken coup! also there are two hawthorne trees.
Am looking for any tips or suggestions from people on anything to do with allotments - have got loads of tips from the garden produce board and am already got the beginnings of some runner beans, sweetcorns, peppers and pumpkins on my window ledge. The plants I am growing need to be quite hardy as I am not going to be able to get down there every day to water etc.
ANY tips or referrals for websites would be v. useful - thankyou!!

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Debt_Free_Chick · 2 May 2005 at 10:54AM

First off, speak to other allotment holders to see what rubbish disposal facilities are available.

Then, build a compost heap - details Here including how to make one out of wood. Then you need to start clearing the plot, composting whatever you can.

What do you want to do with the hawthorns? They can attract beneficial wildlife, but are they shading the plot or in the way? Again, check with the Allotment chairman to see what you are allowed to do about them. You may not be able to remove them.

You'll need to get a move on if you want to plant out the plants you've got. You'll need to clear the plot and dig it over. You may need to add fertiliser and you'll need to know the pH of the soil - other allotment holders may be able to help. In fact, if you befriend them, you'll find many willing to give advice and lend tools etc.

Some useful links

Allotments 4 All Forum
Henry Doubleday Research Association - Organic Gardening
Diary of a Yorkshire Allotment Holder

HTH

Magentasue · 2 May 2005 at 11:09AM

Lucky you!

These are my favourites:

Rivercottge
Kitchen Garden
Organicgardening

in that order!

My advice (said she, a wannabe allotment holder with no experience would be to thoroughly clear a small area and start a bed so that you can grow some stuff NOW! I've got 8' x 4' beds in my garden and you can get a fair bit in there because you canuse every inch - you can reach from the sides so don't need paths. Then clear bit by bit.

HOLsale · 3 May 2005 at 1:26AM

congratulations on your allotment!!! i have land envy (and a 5 year wait ahead of me mostly likely for mine :eek: )

this forum is brilliant for anything to do with smallholdings, allotments and what do do with your produce afterwards!

http://forum.downsizer.net/

Eliza252 · 3 May 2005 at 10:57AM

Thanks for all the websites! - I was up till a ridiculous time last night making notes on the best manure for raspberries etc - SO much fun!
I spent the entire day on Monday shifting bits of wood around, trying to build a shed and pulling up old carpet (previous owner obvious had an obsession with old doors there were stacks of them everywhere and carpet had been put down but then left for about two years so grass was completely covering the carpet!)
now me and my runner beans etc will have to wait in suspense for argos to deliver tools on Saturday sooooo long to wait! this was the only time I could get them delivered as no access to transport so it was easiest to get them delivered all at once and am at work during the day - (nb £20 for a big spade, fork, hoe, little fork and trowel - not bad!)
- plants are growing so fast am worried that by saturday delivery man will not be able to get to front door through under growth! :rotfl:

rchddap1 · 3 May 2005 at 12:34PM

We're having to wait for our allotment as well. We're 5th in the list so its not too bad. Hopefully we'll have one come next year (wishful thinking perhaps?). Even if you don't manage to plant everything that you want to at least you have a patch now that you can prepare for next year.

Good luck

Eliza252 · 4 May 2005 at 12:02AM

Thanks, I know allotment hunting can be very frustrating - I searched about 4 boroughs closer to where I live and I couldnt even get my name put on a waiting list as they were so long, one of the worst was 80 people in a queue for 8 allotments! :eek: - I've ended up deciding to commute out to essex from central london - mad I know! - but the only way. I think that we should definately be putting pressure on local councils to create more - they are obviously popular!

VixxAnn · 4 May 2005 at 4:05PM

We had an allotment several years ago before we moved house, I loved it! Enjoyable and hard work! But getting to eat your own produce after spending a sunday afternoon in the fresh air - wonderful

Our boys loved to play on the allotment too and learn about fresh food etc (plus eat all our tomatoes straight off the plant!)

I'm not going to spout on about best things to do as I reckon all that info is on the links you have already been given. My only main points are ...
raised beds are fantastic and easy, you only need to raise them a few inches if you can get hold of some stakes for the corners and some old boards etc. You could put the old carpet down in between the beds to make weed & mud free paths (make them wide enough for a wheelbarrow!)

You won't be able to do the whole area this way to start with but plan it out and get one or two beds in.

Also... potatoes are great to grow and kind of refresh the soil for you
and try planting garlic cloves, fantastic
ooooooh and rhurbarb - ok - stop me now....

Londonsaver_3 · 4 May 2005 at 10:33PM

I'm not sure that I am greenfingered enough to have an allotment.
When we moved here we had a red currant bush which produced loads of fruit. It came to a sad end but I noticed that Poundland has black and red currant bushes for £1.
I've brought one. We've also planted rhubarb and a black currant that we were given.
These might take less work if you can't get to the allotment too often.

bonnie_2 · 7 June 2005 at 9:30PM

i am on waiting list for an allotment, can anybody give me some good tips on growing and planting and equipment i need thanks.hoping to be self sufficient on veg hee hee.

bonnie_2 · 7 June 2005 at 9:32PM

anybody got any good tips for an allotment am a complete novice but the good life has inspired me

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Allotment advice needed!

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