It seems i have a dilemma… I phoned the ‘allotment lady’ yesterday to put my name down on the plot we are helping out with, and by, chance asked if there were any derelict plots that no one else would take on.
She said ‘Yes.’
‘Brilliant,’ I replied. ‘Can i have it? For free, as it is derelict?’
‘You are 100th on the list Mr. Vegmonkey, there are 100 people before you. We have plans to put loads of topsoil on the plot as it is lower than the rest, and gets very waterlogged.’
‘I understand that Mrs Allotment Lady, but if no one else wants it i can save you the trouble and cost.’
‘Ok, you can have it.’
So we’ve got a plot. I’m sure other people have got to this stage with it too, but i like to think i can do better. Instinct says don’t bother, but there’s a bigger, more naggy part that has more of a vision! I haven’t got a picture to post but here’s a brief run down.
Positives
1. A full size plot. About 6m across and a good 25m long. That’s a big estimate. It’s a really decent size.
2. There is a wheelbarrow! Yey! Also, there are lots of slabs that can be used for paths.
3. There are two hazel trees, one on either side, which i am eying for bean canes!
4. There is not too much waste on the site and it is not really overgrown. I can strim then burn what is there and rotavate the soil using my mates rotavator.
5. I can drive up to the plot…access is excellent, and it is right by the compost toilet. It is also a 10 minute walk or 5 minute drive from home.
6. There may be some drainage work being done near the plot in the future by the council.
7. It would mean I could grow things like Potatoes, beans and squash without the restriction of space in the back garden. The plot in the garden could then be used solely for little stuff like carrots, parsnips, leaves etc
Negatives
1. The plot is low down…it is waterlogged. It has had 6 raised beds on it which have rotted. It needs a lot of topsoil putting on it, which i don’t have (have put an advert on freecycle)
2. The plot has a lot of waste wood on it, in a large pile.
3. It is right by the compost toilet (this has to go in both!).
4. Do i have the time?
So there we are. It is obvious the positives far outweigh the negatives, but the biggest negative is huge. How can i grow anything on the plot if it is waterlogged. Hmmmm….
Any opinions or experience welcome!
Tags: cheltenham allotment, gloucestershire allotment, vegmonkey new allotment, waterlogged soil
October 31st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Well look at it this way - you could have a bash at it for a year. Being 100th on the list you probably wouldn’t get a plot within this time anyway. Within a year if you haven’t made any progress, then at just go on the list. Nothing to lose by taking it on if you look at it like that….try posting to a few more freecycle groups, you just never know.
November 1st, 2008 at 8:49 am
Rocks… lots of them. Pile on the rocks and sandy soil to build up support in the bed then put on your top soil. Construction sites are a great place to get the rocks from and just use them to build up as much of a base as possible to build your topsoil on. Think of it like a giant planter pot! LOL
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I think Lucy is right, you might as well give it a go. Maybe have a look into good ol’ fashioned drainage channels to move the water off the plot. Other than that maybe consider growing Water Cress?