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This is our second attempt at securing an allotment
plot. The first was in Kent where there is a huge waiting list. It
took almost two years and we had no clue of how, where or what to consider in a
plot and have hopefully learnt by our mistakes, which were many. Here are just a
few:-
1) We accepted the first site and plot we were
offered and did not keep regular contact with the council.
2) Our plot was a good 30 minutes drive from our
house.
3) We were not given a key to the plot and the site
was not well used by others.
4) The plot didn't look overgrown the only thing
that seem to flourish was rhubarb.
5) The plot was steep sloped dry at the top and
damp at the bottom.
Point 1: We were impatient; we did not follow up on
our application regularly and just waited for the council to contact us. This
meant it took longer to get a plot and we were then desperate to accept anything.
Points 2 & 3: It's all about access, point 3
literally about getting in. We did not consider our lifestyle at the time. Working in London meant that the plot was difficult to visit during the week regular visits to the plot especially in the summertime are essential. The plot had no standpipes which meant
water butts were the only source of water supply. Not having a key
coupled with it not being a well-visited plot meant access to the plot was near impossible. We persisted for about 9 months with the plot but only managed a
harvest of rhubarb and runner beans.
Learning from Experience 'Ours & Others.'
They say you learn from your mistakes. At some
point I'm hoping to become 'Yoda' like, as my mistakes have been many.
I'm naturally impatient and in a rush - being a 'cockney' as described by
my fellow allotmenteers, all 'Yorkies' and proud of it. They constantly take the
mick however they do have patience and this hopefull is starting to rub off. I'm
slowly, very slowly learning. Below are some tips about applying and selecting
a plot.
1) Firstly applying for a plot (consider
accessibility point 2 below) look around local to you. Are their plots that are
near, that are regularly used and secure. Find out which council or
local authority are responsible for the plot and give them a call. It's
useful to know when the allotment fees are collected each year, as this will
give you a good idea of when to apply and chase your application. Ours
are collected in April; it'll usually take a full season before you get a plot
although you may get lucky.
We applied in the autumn, and let the allotment
officer now we were interested in either a half or full plot (full plot 250
square meters). We kept regular contact by e-mail to let them know we were
still interested. Persistence paid and we got the option of two separate half
plots just over a year from our application.
2) Above all choose a plot that is accessible to
your house & work, being able to pop to the plot on your way home is handy
in the summer months for watering up. Being close to home means that your more
expensive tools can be kept at home and transferred to the plot easily when you need
them.
As I say we were offered the choice of two half
plots, one, which looked fairly tidy but was between two plots that looked
similarly abandoned. We chose an unkempt
half a plot, which we were told the second half was not vacant yet but maybe
in the future. Either side of this were
two fellow plot holders keen to share their experience, something that I have a
distinct lack of so we plumped for that plot.
3) Get to know your fellow plot holders, we’ve been
really lucky, for the most part it’s a busy allotment and everyone is friendly,
happy to help each other and take the mick in equal measure.
The serious stuff, checklist of things to think
about before you commit.
· How
much time will you have?
· Will
you be away for long periods in the growing season?
· How
much produce do you need?
· Will
your family or friends be there to help?
· Are
you comfortable with things like; worms, spiders, manure and digging!!
