going to choose my new allotment plot tonight what should i look for?

pinkparrott

Hi all, I can barley contain my excitement , as finally after 6 years on the waiting list I'm going to choose my allotment plot tonight:j.
The council have fenced in a new section of wasteland ajoining the current allotments and are creating 10 new half plots, 4 of these have alreay gone but i will have a pick of 6, none of the land had been cultivated before and has lots of brambles and other weeds growing on it.
What sort of things should i base my decision on?

any tips.

csnann

Try to pick a plot that doesn't have any trees near it, they block out the light and the roots suck up all the water.

RAS

Check out which way the sun shines. Tonight it will be coming from the west, so face it and turn 90 degrees to the left and you will be facing south.

Does the land fall to your front (south slope), right (west), left (east) to behind you (north). You want south if possible,, then west etc...

Avoid a plot that has any high fence/bush/tree to the south. Shelter from the north is not a bad thing but make sure there are no tall trees or bushes as they will suck water and nutrients out of the soil.

Plots at the bottom of a hill will be wetter and may hold frost. Plots higher up will be drier and the frost will run down the hill.

If you can get close to a water tap or butt, do.

If you can get close to a main path do.

Plots close to gates can be a little prone to theft but are observed by a lot of plotholders and outsiders, so can be safer.

Find out about rules regarding sheds, greenhouse and trees on your own plot and others - no point in a nice south facing plot if someone then erects a series of sheds blocking the light.

Take a spade and dig a hole in the ground (or two or three). Do you have good top soil or builder's rubble?

With only six plots it will be a compromise, but you will get a sense of what matters most to you.

Sally_A

Sheltered and positioned to get the benefit of the sun, not one at the lower end if the area is susceptible to flooding. Easy access track for carting heavy loads of manure, wheelbarrows of whatever etc. Look for security, most oiks will pick the ones nearest to public walkways if they are going to trample over and vandalise crops.

Loads of other things - would it be easy to rabbit proof if you are in a bunny zone?

Best thing you can do is chat to other people that will be down there this evening, and ask about the problems on the site, then choose the plot that you feel would be easiest to protect/fence etc.

Good luck and enjoy your new allotment.