Allotments anyone?

I’ve got loads of it in my garage, shame I can’t pass it on to you!

Well this morning it was wet underfoot so I spent the time spring cleaning the shed. Threw away rubbish and swept it a bit.
Three little broad beans have survived outside, must plant some more.
The greengage tree looks ok.
Have decided cardboard is the best thing for controlling weeds and am on the look for more.

That’s a shame gillybob. I was told there’s a short waiting list but I don’t know what that actually means. There are only 12 plots and they all look well cared for so I’m not expecting to hear anything yet. There are vacancies in the next village but I’d have to drive and that defeats the object, the others are within five minute walk from home so easy to pop over to.

How are things on your plot loopyloo?

I would love an allotment and have had my name on a waiting list for years . Sadly there’s a lot of subletting going on with people passing their allotments to friends etc.

Mollie any news about your allotment?

I would say where it gets the most sun during the winter. I have a small vertical mini greenhouse with plastic sheets but I don't like it very much as you can't see inside.
Mini plastic cloches are good but even two frames of glass propped together is better than nothing.
I am very stingy now and make use of Freecycle and skips.

How do I work out the best place to site a cold frame? I’ve got a bungalow with a small garden across the back and a bit down each side. The back of the building faces out north east (all my gardens have!)

I’ll second a cold frame. We had a large one (doesn’t have to be) and in the absence of a greenhouse, it certainly gives you a head start.

Growing veg in containers is a whole subject in itself. You could find unusual boxes or make things from wood found in skips . You could sow chilli pepper seeds indoors now and onion seed outside. Something useful would be a cold frame.
I sometimes start things off at home then plant them out at the allotment.

I’m not far from Kings Lynn Merlotgran. My garden is chalk but the allotments have that beautiful black soil from the fens. Thanks for the recommendations

Yes, my plan is to start this year using containers so that I could move stuff when/if the time comes loopyloo. I’ll check you-garden out, thank you. I’m eager but clueless so I need all the help I can get!

Whereabouts in West Norfolk are you, mollie? I'm in East Cambs and also garden on fenland soil. The fertility is great but the weeds can be challenging!

I can recommend Charles Dowding's books and You Tube videos on No Dig gardening. Why dig when you don't have to?

Yes look at the yougarden site, they have small trees. You can grow a lot on containers.

Try looking at the yougarden site. They have duo fruit trees. Not sure how successful they are. But might be fun.
Let's hope the waiting list is short.
But you could start growing a few Veges in your gatden. Or in containers that you could move to the allotment.

That sounds a very manageable size and if the plots have been well maintained and have a shed that's a bonus indeed. You can find a variety of most fruit trees suitable for a container these days. Have a walk round your local garden centre and talk to them.

Well, I’ve been to look the allotments over and I’m impressed. It’s a small village with 12 plots, each with a shed and clearly they are all doing well - no signs of any neglect anywhere so it might be a while before I get my fork into the lovely black fenland soil! I paced them out and taking one of my strides as a vague yard they measure 18 x 6, bigger than I expected but that’s fine. Now I’m keen to get planning and am wondering if I can do some container growing in my own garden this summer.

Btw, can you grow plum trees in containers?

Glad you’ve got yourself on the list, mollie. Let us know how you get on!

Hi Loopyloo not yet...weather and prior engagements have got in the way. But I will in the next day or two. I’m told the list is ‘very short’?? In the meantime I’ve got time to make my plans and do some serious research. My seven year old GD gave me tips on growing carrots yesterday!
Hope your greengage tree is safe and sound.

Dear Mollie, Have you had a reccie yet? Do you know how long the waiting list is?. I am off to my allotment today, mainly to see if the wind has blown over my newly planted greengage tree.

I’ve done it, I’m on the waiting list! Unbelievable! Thank you for your advice - I might be coming back with lots more questions sometime soon. I’m off for a reccy in the next day or two, I don’t think the plots are huge but any overgrown space looks daunting doesn’t it!

I would get on the list if it is, as they say, short, and in the meantime, do your homework. Talk to some allotment holders on the sites if you can. Find out what soil conditions are like and how big a plot you are likely to have to take on - a large plot can be daunting, especially if it hasn’t been worked for a while. (One point: raised beds are a good manageable way to go). If you then decide after all that you don’t fancy it, drop off the list.

The Parish Council were advertising allotment with the added comment ‘short waiting list’ - not sure how short but I’m going to find out.

I mentioned my idea to OH this morning (another couch potato) and he sounded interested, even offered his services so I’m even more enthused.

I like the idea of communal plots, sounds a great way to encourage community spirit, healthy activity and eating,

Just another thought, there is a waiting list for allotments in our area.
Although being in a village you may not have that problem

We've enjoyed having a veg. patch here, and hope to continue on a smaller scale in the UK.
As Greyduster says, to keep on top of it you need to put in almost daily work in the growing season - hoeing the weeds etc
Otherwise it soon gets out of hand.
Think about which veg. you want to grow, and find out whether your climate and soil are suitable.
The best advice we had is to ask advice from your gardening neighbours.

P.S. Loopy our site organiser looked like the villain from a Wallace and Grommet movie and could be almost as horrid!

There were a large number of allotments near to my last house, one of which, as previously mentioned, we had for a number of years. It is hard work, and you have to put in the hours, most if not every day in the growing season, but growing vegetables is nothing if not fascinating. Not always rewarding though. There will be times when the pigeons and rabbits will get more out of it than you, and my eternal quest for the perfect cauliflower (ANY cauliflower in fact!) never did come to fruition! Some time after we let ours go, someone on the allotments started a community plot, where people could go and help to tend a larger plot in exchange for a share of the produce. It seemed to work well for now there are a few. If there is anything like this near you, it’s a good way to find out if allotmenting is for you or not.