Anyone got an allotment?

[agrumpycow]

We've just gone down to see our allotment for the first time . It's been unworked for quite a while so need a fair bit of hard graft but we're hoping that by next spring we'll have the 30x40ft plot sorted. Our plan is to have about a third of it as a wildflower patch and the rest as an organic vegetable plot.
Does anyone else on here have an allotment?

[mrs fish]

I applied for one and the plot I was offered wasn't suitable, I wanted one on the edge that hadn't been used for years but they wanted me to have one very used and surrounded by rusty corragated iron, my girls were very young.

I said I didn't mind rabbits visiting my plot

Good luck with yours and you have made me think about going for one again

[svenrufus]

I have had an allotment for about 8 months now, and just had a real low point today. Admittedly it has been a while since I have been there due to holiday, weather and illness, but never expected it to be so bad. Rank grass, docks nettles... you would never know I had ever been there.
All the things we planted, tomatoes, raspberries, berry bushes, maize, radishes, rhubarb, sugar snaps, all gone. Dead, munched, disappeared, I can't understand why for half of the stuff. Fair enough, next year I will net the berries, lesson learned. But the tomatoes...? All dead, brown and withered, and I cannot begin to understand why. As it turns out, all we have to show for our work is a small patch of Jerusalem Artichoke and 3 salsify. Very demoralising.
But! Trying to be positive, I am still really excited about the possibilities. This winter I intend to hire a rotivator and blitz the site (had been thinking of doing it all by hand, but time to get real) and once on top of it all, hope to god that next year is a bit more successful.
We also have a pond (old bath tub) which was covered in duckweed and half full of grass that had grown over the edge - cleared it a bit and within no time it became clear that the pond had newts and frogs in abundance, so that is always a joy.
It will be good, you will enoy it, but expect set-backs, and just be happy with whatever slight victories you have. My girlfriend took today really personally, but I try to think that even if we only get 2 gooseberries out of it (our total crop to date!) I have enjoyed my time up there, and the exercise is good for me.
Best of luck, and look after your back.
Cheers
Sven

[Wild-Woman]

I like seeing allotments. I wish they had some sort of protection status to stop them being sold off for housing projects.

[wetlands_wedge]

Hiya!

'This winter I intend to hire a rotivator'

Can I suggest that, if at all possible, you do not use a ratavator? You will chop up perennial weed roots and spread them, exacerbating any problems you do have!
Aim to dig the whole area over leaving the large clods to be broken down by frost in the first instance. The second digging, after the frosts, should be a lot easier, as you work backwards flick any roots that come to light forwards to rest on top of the soil. They will wither and die away. Do not attempt to gather them up, let nature do its work! The third and final digging; repeat the second and create beds as you go adding Well rotted compost and slow release fertiliser, where required, as you go.
I know this sounds labour intensive but it will get you off to a good start. Subsequent years will be easier as you will be doing your digging as and when beds become available, thus spreading the workload!
Good preparation will save time in the end! It will also keep you warm in the winter!
I wish you all the very best with your allotment. Once you have it up and running, stay on top of jobs that need doing! If you go on holiday get someone to weed and water for you! A share of the 'goods' is a great incentive!

[nightshade]

I have never had one myself but the memories of my parents allotment
still make me smile.No vehicle so everything was carried to and from

Watching grasshoppers,Sparrows hunting them
Rabbits waiting 'till we cleared off,big fat Cats waiting for Rabbits
Bonfires, pinching tiny carrots,peas,radish,bread and cheese
lashings of sunshine
Go for ir rain or shine

[egro]

I have had an allotment for 18 years . It is very hard work but extremely rewarding.I definately agree with Wetlands-wedge DO NOT USE A ROTOVATOR you will just create more weeds from the cut up roots.Believe you me they are excellent growers from root cuttings!! Allotments require stickability and commitment. Very best wishes.Egro.

[Goosegogs]

Will be getting a second allotment (tenancy starts in March 2008) which is adjacent to current allotment. The new plot has not been looked after in 2 years by tenants that took over from an old allotmenteer who looked after the plot. In 2 years, its gone from a productive one to weed-infested but had the most perfect strawberries had they have been picked before rotting (no slug/woodlice or birdie damage whatsoever).

[Jez]

I hope you don't mind me asking? But thoughly hour many hours do you need to spend on an allotment per week?

[andyw]

i`m no expert but a few of my thoughts, (in no particular order)

get some relatively low maintenance things in,, autumn raspberries rhubarb few fruit trees plums cherries etc and surround with thick mulch.landscape fabric or cardboard with grass, compost wood chip or whatever you have

dont forget to put a spiral on any trees or the rabbits will have them

don`t leave tools at the allotment

hoe,hoe,hoe all summer long it`s the stitch in time principle

can`t go far wrong with onion sets

try to get half the allotment right rather than all the allotment half right

consider using roundup (glyphosate ) for wholesale weed clearance very effective

enjoy, and if somethings are a faliure consider this. the time you spent at the allotment could have been wasted sat in front of the rubbish tv