Things to Consider Before Taking on an Allotment Plot
Taking on an allotment can be both challenging and rewarding. Many new allotment holders find that they quickly develop new skills and knowledge and see the development of their allotment as part of a positive lifestyle choice. However, there are a few things to consider before you apply and the potential challenges are outlined below.
- Clearing a Plot
When tenants take on a new plot it may be after a lengthy process of removing the existing tenant and offering the plot to other people on the waiting list. This can mean that plot has been left unworked for at least two months and in the summer months this can mean that the plot is very overgrown.
So be prepared for hard work clearing the plot. The new tenant has 3 months to cultivate 25% of the plot and after that time to cultivate the remainder of the plot within a year. There are a few methods of clearing a plot such as using weed matting or suppressant to cover the areas that you are not working on. We strongly recommend getting some crops in within the first three months to encourage you to see the fruits of your labours!
- Health and Physical Ability
Considering the above, it is wise to look after yourself whilst clearing the plot and beyond. Regular visits to the allotment instead of sporadic long ones will make it easier on your back, knees, wrists or heart. If you feel that you may not be able to meet the physical demands of a plot on your own then you may want to consider sharing with someone you know.
Some of the site is accessible for wheel chair users, however, there are no plots that are specifically designed for this purpose, so having a plot near the gate entrance would be advisable. Some new tenants in this situation get help from others in creating raised beds.
- Managing Weeds
All plants, given the right conditions, want to grow and weeds are no exception! There is plenty that you can do to reduce the number of weeds, such as digging over the ground and removing the roots, or double digging or using weed matting to cover areas such as an internal paths as well as ensuring that you make regular visits to the plots, especially during the main growing season. However, weeds are a persistent problem and will require physical effort and patience to remove.
4.Time Commitment
You need to think about whether you have a regular amount of time that you can commit each week to work the plot. Working full time or having other commitments need to be taken into account. We recommend visiting your plot at least twice a week to stay on top of weeding and other jobs. The number of visits you make during the growing season, to water and harvest crops for example, may be considerably more than this and if you don’t have an effective watering system you may find during very hot or dry weather that you have to visit daily.
- Tools and Equipment
You will need some tools and equipment to work your plot and if you are buying new there will be a cost involved. You can buy second hand tools or share with other tenants. You will also need to consider whether you are going to bring your tools on site each time you visit or store them in a shed on your plot. The tools that we recommend for new tenants are a hoe, spade, fork, rake, trowel and watering can. You might also want to invest in compost bins and water butts to collect rainwater off a shed or greenhouse.
- Children
Many young children are very enthusiastic about growing things and allotment can be a great place for children to learn.
However there are things you need to consider – an allotment plot, particular one that has not been worked for a while, may have some safety issue you need to address before taking young children onto the plot (broken glass, weeds such as bramble or stinging nettles and uneven ground).
Also a very committed young child may lose interest quite quickly, so you need to consider that you will do if your child is not as interested as you in spending time on the plot.
- Size of Your Plot
Where time, health or other reasons mean that you do not want to take on a large plot then a smaller one ought to be possible on your chosen site. If plot seems ambitious then think about joining a community growing project or try growing vegetables at home, on windowsills, patios and balconies an adequate amount of veg can easily be grown in a relatively small space.
- Learning What to Do and When
If you have not grown vegetables before then you will need to learn as you go along. There is lots of advice available in books (from the local library) or websites and also from other tenants on the site that you join.
- Crop Failures
If you are a new tenant it will be inevitable that you will have the occasional crop failure and you need to be prepared for this. Successful tenants see this as a learning opportunity but it can be very disheartening after all the effort that you have put in.
It takes time to prepare the ground and it is unrealistic to expect to get a whole season’s worth of perfect veg during the first year on your plot. As time goes on you will learn more about what grows where and when and in what conditions and the ground will be improved, all of which will increase your chances of success.
- Maintaining Motivation
Maintaining motivation, especially during the first year or so, can be difficult. Whilst you are waiting to start work on your plot you may want to draw up a plan of what you would like to see on your plot so that when you get a plot you can start to work towards this.
When you have a plot take plenty of photos so you can see how your plot improves and keep referring to your plan to see what you’ve achieved. We are always interested in publishing pictures and accounts of the tenants first year in our newsletters.