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FINALLY the council have cleared away the crumb of asbestos\rubbish and have decided to allocate sites! We can view them on 16th and decide, but the site is split as follows:
It is an L shape, backing on to houses and a sports hospital. Space 6, the first inside the gate is 117msq, number 5 is the same, the other two plots on this piece of the L areboth 150msq. The other leg of the L has two plots both 110msq.

How much space does one need? The best plot looks to be number 5 or three but I'll have to see what it all looks like when I view. It is ALL over grown.

Advice please?

First of all - congratulations! At last the allotment is in sight...

I think the only advice I can give is - no matter how big it is, you'll soon find that you don't have enough space for all those things you want to plant. And the shed. And the poly tunnel, and the hen run.... And a play area for kids/dogs (delete as appropriate!).

On the other hand - no matter how small it is, it's going to be hard work clearing it.

I really think you should defer a decision until you've had a very close look.

circlecross wrote:FINALLY the council have cleared away the crumb of asbestos\rubbish and have decided to allocate sites! We can view them on 16th and decide, but the site is split as follows:
It is an L shape, backing on to houses and a sports hospital. Space 6, the first inside the gate is 117msq, number 5 is the same, the other two plots on this piece of the L areboth 150msq. The other leg of the L has two plots both 110msq.

How much space does one need? The best plot looks to be number 5 or three but I'll have to see what it all looks like when I view. It is ALL over grown.

Advice please?

As big as you can. But other considerations are aspect.

If there is a slope it would be good to get a S/SW facing one.

If at the bottom of a slope, does it flood. Is it in a dip as these can be frost pockets.

The best way to lay out your beds are north south facing, that way you will maximise the sun, does the plot prevent this.

What sort of weeds do the plots have, annuals are a pain , but do able But anything like:
Thistle,brambles,couch grass, marestail are a nightmare.

I would still advocate the use of weed suppressant from day one. Do a general tidy up, then cover everything in the suppressant of your choice. You will be supprised at how quick the weeds come back, and even though it cold and wet now and not suitable for digging it doesn't stop the weeds. The number of poeple who clear the new plot over winter then leave it. They come back in early spring and all the weed seeds have germinated and it looks worse. As soon as you clear an area, cover it.

A lot of people use carpet or underlay, this is not not advisable and some allotment sban it. They contain lots of nasties.
You can buy the black stuff, if you do make sure its a woven heavy duty. THis is useful as it also warms the soil and cuts out a lot of the water, so you can dig earlier (oh joy! ).
Other alternatives are cardboard with soil on top, it rots down but at least will keep weeds at bay while your working on the plot. Thick mulch of bark/mushroom compost/compost, though if your doing this make sure you remove as much preannual weeds first. You'll need it at least 3 inch thick to do a proper job.

had considered the old cardboard and instant planting thing, and mostly it is north south - the L is kind of upside down and back to front, and the head of it is pointing north. I have peered through the gate, but it is too hard to make a decision. There are brambles by the gate (plot 6), but the first year we took interest, there also seemed to be currant bushes there! I will have to see them first, but it is a bun fight between the six of us on the day. (How to get yr allotment relationship of to a flying start!)

how many of you circle ie 2 or a family
how much time you have a good guide is 4 hours in the winter 8 hours from march average a week .there are plenty of books but i like
grow your own magazine
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/
you can subscribe or buy it from news agents it has a good balance and has regular allotment spot each month
and for general info and help try this site
http://www.powen.freeserve.co.uk/
kind regards dave

well, I am now proud renter of plot 2, which is the smallest plot, but I suppose the time consideration is a major thingy. I do have 2 small children which eat up my time, and I have an uncle who is a dogged hedge and grass cutter even tho has heart condition! It seems a nice little plot, and the amount of work needed for any return will be mammoth especially on the bigger plots, so I suppose growing things in a definitely cleared patch of land is better than potentially growing things in a huge weed bed.

I do have a husband, but he seems busier than me...

circlecross wrote:well, I am now proud renter of plot 2, which is the smallest plot, but I suppose the time consideration is a major thingy. I do have 2 small children which eat up my time, and I have an uncle who is a dogged hedge and grass cutter even tho has heart condition! It seems a nice little plot, and the amount of work needed for any return will be mammoth especially on the bigger plots, so I suppose growing things in a definitely cleared patch of land is better than potentially growing things in a huge weed bed.

I do have a husband, but he seems busier than me...

circle you do right a little plot look after it make a list of veg you like and what you want to grow set it up crop rotation if you have some space just grow a few spuds 2nd earlys are good
try this for info
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles12 ... tation.asp

Morning Macha.

Fancy seeing you over here! Just joined myself *chuckle*

Suspect Hamster will be along in a mo.