Typical British weather - some might say - and surely we do get a bit of it, but really, it isn’t that bad!

What this means, however, is that I didn’t manage to get everything I wanted to do on my plot done. I was going to dig over another patch - something I’ve tried to do over the winter when possible - while taking some pictures to post here on the site, to show how I’m doing.

I did manage to get a load of manure from a local riding school, and just as I finished barrowing it on to my plot, my goodness did it start to lash it down? You bet!

So the pictures will have to wait to some day later this week, as will my write up on digging a plot, since this can’t be done when the ground is wet.

My weekend hasn’t been entirely washed out though! The rain gave me an opportunity to turn my attention to other things I have wanted to do for a while:

1. Start planning what I’m going to grow on my plot this season
2. Begin looking for what seeds to buy - and where.
3. Find and buy a wormery for my plot - to produce my own compost/plantfood for the coming season.

With regards to the wormery - I found and ordered one - and no doubt you’re going to hear more about how I’m getting on with it!

I will be back with more news in the week to come - when I have more to tell…..

Technorati Tags: Allotment, Rain, Wormery

My career as an allotmenteer started in early april 2006. After a wait of several months I finally had a plot offered to me on the desired allotment site - and immediately accepted. To be more precise I joined the waiting list in september 2005. Why there was a waiting list I didn’t quite understand - since more than half the plots on the site was overgrown - and hadn’t been cultivated for months, if not years!

The plot I was given was no exeption. The sight that met me when I first got on the plot can be seen on the pictures to the right. The top picture shows the plot from the top by the shed towards the end, and the bottom picture the other way round.

Since it was early in the season the vegetation on the plot wasn’t too much of an issue, but the plot was littered with a fair amount of rubbish and an absolute truckload of broken glass.

To start off I spend a full day clearing away most of the rubbish - simply by having a fire! Fortunately my boss in work gave me permission to use the skip at my workplace as well for all the bulky rubbish on the plot.

As for the vegetation the plot was full of couch grass everywhere, so I saw no other method of clearing it than by using RoundUp weedkiller.

When it comes to that kind of weed I’m afraid I’m not patient enough to do things organically! I don’t mind a bit of weeding now and then - in fact it’s quite therapeutical - but in some cases you just have to do the sensible thing!

As I’ve mentioned elsewhere here on the site I only enjoyed limited bounty off my plot - the reason being that I got started too late in the season to really make something off it. I’m determined to change things this year though!

This weekend I hope to be able to take a few photos to show a bit of what’s going on on my plot at the moment, and how I plan to take things forward.

Technorati Tags: Allotmenteer, Plot, Roundup

So - you have made up your mind! You have decided that you would like to be an allotmenteer. So how do you make it happen?

Here in the UK the vast majority of allotment sites are managed by the local authorities, although an increasing number of sites are becoming self managed, so start off by getting in touch with the local council. If they are not managing the allotment sites - they will put you in touch with the local allotment association.

More often than not - depending on what site you chose to apply to - you will be put on a waiting list. There can be numerous reasons for that. The most common reasons are:

• Interest in having a plot is high in your area or on your chosen site
• The number of plots are low in your area
• The allotment sites are badly managed (very common cause)

Being on a waiting list can be frustrating - particularly when you walk past an allotment site with several overgrown plots (which would indicate a lack of interest on the current tennants part) - but in some cases a bit of tenacity can pay off. Getting in touch with the site management on a regular basis (once every 2-3 weeks), checking on your status on the list and letting them know you monitor the status of the site, tends to get things moving your way because you show an interest.

If you’re on a waiting list on a site where all plots are well tendered to, you may want to consider looking elsewhere, as chances are slim you will be getting a plot on that site anytime soon. By all means keep your name on the waiting list - while exploring other options. There’s nothing to say you can’t have your name on more than one waiting list.

Over the next few weeks I’ll try to show you what could happen once you get your lucky break - and the tennancy agreement on your plot comes through your letter box.

Technorati Tags: Allotmenteer, Plot, Waiting List

You may ask the question: “Why would I want to have an allotment?” I think there’s several good reasons to be an allotmenteer - otherwise I wouldn’t be one - but obviously there’s downsides to it as well.

Anyone who has a plot at present, and with this I mean a well tendered one, will tell you that quite a few hours of work goes into keeping an allotment. In fact I know of pensioners who spend most of their time on their plot, and others having it as a part time occupation, both of which will definately show on the standard of their plots.

Speaking for myself I can safely say that managing a plot to a good standard, while being in full time work and looking after a family, is a task and a half. I’m not complaining - just bursting a few bubbles ;o). If you haven’t got the passion and the time to spend - you’re probably better off not getting started!

That being said - the advantages of being an allotmenteer by far outweigh the downsides!

• Working on your plot is very de-stressing. After a full days work - even as a gardener - you can really benefit from winding down on your plot. And then of cause there’s the weekends!
• You get to meet likeminded people - people who loves gardening and growing things - who will gladly offer you advice on how to make the most of your plot.
• It keeps you fit! Anyone who have tried digging over a plot knows what I’m talking about!
• Exercise isn’t the only health benefit you can get from your plot. The fresh air and eating your produce also counts!
• Last but absolutely not least: Nothing - and I mean absolutely nothing - beats the taste of eating your own homegrown vegetables.

I hope the above will have encouraged you to take the first step to get yourself a plot - if you haven’t already got one that is!

Technorati Tags: Allotmenteer, Health, Vegetables

Here in the UK an allotment is defined as a small area of land, let out at a nominal yearly rent by the local government or an independent allotment association, for individuals to grow their own food.

The idea of allotment sites dates back to the 18th century. Engravements of the city of Birmingham shows allotment sites, some of which still exist today, provided “for personal cultivation by the poor”.

Many things have changed since then. For example the number of plots has fallen drastically over the recent decades, as interest in having a plot was decreasing, produce became available at low prices in the supermarkets, and much of the land has been developed.

Over the last few years interest in having a plot has very much been on the increase though, so in many places - particularly on well maintained allotment sites - there will be a waiting list for people to get a plot. Ironically - this can also be true for allotment sites with several overgrown plots - mostly when local government doesn’t prioritise the sites.

The size of a plot varies between 200 and 400 square meters. Most of the plots in the UK will be 250 square meters, or 1/16 of an acre.

Provided that the plot is used for gardening and small holdings only, and not residential purposes, the plotholders will generally be charged a yearly rent of around £25.00.

Technorati Tags: Allotmenteer, Allotment, Plot

Welcome to allotmenteer.co.uk - an online community for allotment gardeners - and other people with a passion for growing all things green.

As you can probably tell from the lack of content - this is a brand new website - but I hope to be able to build and add to it over the coming season, based on what is going on on my own allotment plot, but also I would like to invite you to give your input to the site.

I plan to turn allotmenteer.co.uk into an online ressource center that you can enjoy - a place you would like to come back to time and again - so your views an contributions will be highly appreciated.

Thanks for taking time to come and have a look now - and I hope you will visit again soon.

Technorati Tags: Allotmenteer, Online, Community