Just got an allotment (Merged)

angelavdavis

beefster wrote:

Wasnt keen on growing any spuds... apart from a few for new potatoes.... they are so cheap to buy i cant see the point. Still selecting what i really want but raspberries are top of my daughters list!

I grew raspberries in my old garden. One tip I would offer here is to somehow contain their root growth - as they will shoot up suckers everywhere. Either plant them in a buried dustbin (with the bottom cut off so its like a big tube) or perhaps dig deep trenches about a foot or so away from the raspberry plants and place slabs end-downwards (ie on their side) to form a deep barrier. Try to cover them almost their height. Box the raspberries in this way.

I ended up constantly pulling them up from under the gravel path (they had grown suckers over a foot from the original plant). They became a bit of a menace to be honest!

Just my bit!

beefster

Thanks, thats the sort of info i will need.

mum2many

I really really fancy an allotment so I dont have to lose my garden but got a few questions

Is it worth the hard work?
Will other allotment holders help me (with planting advice etc not the hard labour) as I am a complete novice?
Will other allotment holders look after the plot when I am on my Hols(just general watering, not weeding)
Do you have people nicking the crops you've grown?
Can I grow enough to feed 6+ people?

waiting to join an allotment website so will ask over there too

mum2many

Seem to be loads available round near me,
well crewe is the Chav capital of the UK or so I've been told.

mum2many

http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/main.asp?page=1501

whats available near me

brindles01

One of the most important things about keeping an allotment isthat you have to be very organised (especially if you are working it for financial reasons and not as a hobbyist) with the day to day running of it. You have to think out carefully about nearly every aspect of the work involved, even more so if you are a novice. I would suggest that you read a few blogs - just google 'allotment blogs' - and get a take on how people cope and see the work involved. It is very rewarding and no - I do not think for one minute that people would steal your produce - most are like minded souls on the plots - you are more likely to get invited to take someones over abundance of crop. I am using my next door neigbours leeks excess at the mo!

angie_loves_veg

allotmenteering is fantastic - you do want to be as close as possible though, certainly in the summer, you want to be there often, even if not for a long time - you aren't going to do a 90min round trip for a quick watering session, and your plants will suffer for it.

Is it worth the hard work?
the hardest bit is getting started. preparing the soil etc. with the right attitude this is fun (really ) but I guess you have to want to do it.

Will other allotment holders help me (with planting advice etc not the hard labour) as I am a complete novice?
probably, especially if they see you getting on with the hard graft at the beginning - you will certainly get tons of advice from forums, I can recommend https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine

Will other allotment holders look after the plot when I am on my Hols(just general watering, not weeding)
probably.... that said, my allotment site is very vacant, and so I manage the best I can, and have befriended the people who live next to the plot in return for some crops. you cannot rely on it though, again, live close to your allotment and neighbours/friends might do it

Do you have people nicking the crops you've grown?
no. this has never happened to me.

Can I grow enough to feed 6+ people?
not complete self sufficiency no, but you will be able to supplement your diet with seriously fresh and interesting veg, eat seasonally and healthily with an understanding of the chemicals that you have used (if you do). you can grow the things that are expensive to buy. kids can also be encouraged to cultivate a favourite crop or a small area. work out what you all want to eat and start from there. Potatoes are good at clearing new allotments, and you will harvest loads.....

*I think you will have noticed that I LOVE my allotment and would not be without it*:T :T

emmaroids

yes allotments are a lotta fun, and hard work of course.

im lucky cos my allotment is just straight across the road from me :j
and you will find once you get to know the other owners they will help in all ways , lending tools, giving advice, giving plants, watering when your away etc

and its also a good gettaway from the wife and kids for an afternoon or an hour lol

cept for the fact that she can just shout at me from our doorstep :rolleyes:

Biddyrolo

Totally agree with what Angie has posted, but I would add that as for giving advice you will probably end up beating people off with sticks . On our site there's a guy who for a fiver will rotovate your plot. (We have raised beds, much easier)If you can get somewhere not too far from home it's definately worth a go. It's very satisfying eating your own veg.

charlies_mum

Biddyrolo wrote:

On our site there's a guy who for a fiver will rotovate your plot.

Do you think he would consider travelling to Stoke - I have so far spent 8 backbreaking hours digging mine, and only managed to clear about 20 ft x 15 ft - mind you, a good chunk of that was a poured concrete base for a greenhouse :eek: