Hello from the Lancashire coast.

[Half A Plot Pete]

Hi, to all

I’m from Lytham which is just down the coast from Blackpool. I found this website while searching for advice on allotments. My best half and I have just rented an allotment for the first time for somewhere to chill. We are complete novices so we are reading up as much as we can. The previous owner of our plot seems to have looked after it well. The soil cuts like butter which I’m grateful for as all I’ve done is dig for the last couple of weeks.

I’m after tips on drainage as my plot does seem to hold water even though there’s plenty of sand in the soil. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

[ina]

Hi Pete

Welcome to the land of Ish! Great news about the allotment - usually you get them overgrown with noxious weeds...

Drainage: well, I don't really know... If the sand is quite sandy - is it sandy further down, too? Or is there a compacted layer? Or is it just that you (like us up here) have had an awful lot of rain during the last year?

[red]

Hi Pete
welcome

[marshlander]

I’m after tips on drainage as my plot does seem to hold water even though there’s plenty of sand in the soil. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

Hello Pete!

I'd say, lucky old you! Unless the water fills up any hole youire digging, moisture retentive soil is the holy grail. My clay sets like concrete (adding organic matter year on year to improve it). On the seaward side of the village it's pure sand - water runs straight through it so it's alway dry, always hungry. I'd say you've half the battle won before you start.

[urn]

Hello Pete, just up the road from you in Blackburn, to help with your allotment, I would talk to the other allotment holders, your allotment may be close to the water table level, the other longer term holders will tell you the history behind the plot and the problems if any the last user had. if the water proves to be a big problem then maybe consider raised beds as I have done,

Ian

[Rainy]

Helloooooo
Just get plenty of organic matter on there - though to be honest I think most parts of Lancashire [including me] are holding a lot of water at the moment.
When you first take on a plot its best to do minimal changes over the first year and see how your land changes with the seasons. Then make your decisions.
Welcome the world of home grown veg !!!

[Shirley]

Hi Pete

Welcome to Ish! My mum and dad honeymooned in Lytham a fair few moons ago.

[hedgewitch]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Half A Plot Pete]

Thanks to you all for the sound advice.

[Peggy Sue]

Fond memories of Lytham- used to go on holiday there as a kiddie. Lovely sand dunes.

Have fun with that allotment, I've had mine for 9 months now and have had something from the plot every day since September- wonderful!

[gigglybug]

Hello and welcome Pete

Amanda

[Millymollymandy]

Hi and welcome! I'd say wait and see what happens to your soil in summer - you might be really grateful if it stays moist!

I've got sandy soil and it drains through like a sieve in summer! Have got 3 year's worth of muck in it now so it has improved a lot thankfully.

[Thurston Garden]

Ahoy Pete!