My allotment (Jan 2010)

Well done, Ian on getting your allotment...
Good to know the soil is good...
that is a big bonus :o)

Flipping ek Ian you've got your work cut out there, good luck.was last years veg any good ?

Good luck with your allotment, looking forward to photos as it comes along.

To be quite honest, Ian, I think that your plot looks pretty good! It looks as if it missed out on being dug over last back end but at nine quid a year, well ;-).
After you have shifted the rubbish and started digging I bet it will look great.
I can't even see ours yet - it is still under snow! Strange as it is only just across the road and on a west facing slope. Our own garden is now just about clear of snow and I could have been working out there today if it wasn't raining.

good luck ..........with your new plot.......it looks pretty big.....

Oh you will have so much fun! If it had been perfect your enjoyment and pride in it would have been lessened! I look forward to your adventures in Allotment Land...:o))

Its going to be soooooooo exciting Ian.....both of us starting our gardens together. I think every plot has its resident "rubbish" That rental is very very reasonable....is there water laid on?

Only 9 pound a year for a plot that size....WOW!! That's fantastic. You're going to have so many veggies you'll be able to start your own grocery shop. :o)

It looks a good size Ian. I would not fancy digging that lot over, Looking forward to watching you lick it into shape.

take it steady dont over do it, too much too soon, dont want you laid up with a bad back. :o)
then what would carol say!

Thanks all, I am very excited about having the space to grow all of our veggies. I know my neighbours will be as well because last year I gave loads to them when I had a glut!
AA Yes there is water laid on, One of the taps is at the end of my plot!
I think Bulbaholic, you are right and it did miss out on being turned over last autumn.
HW, I think you're right as well. If it had been in perfect condition I wouldn't have the pride in it I hopefully will have.
To all the others, don't worry about taking it easy, I will be pulling up the weeds that are there and spreading weed membrane to keep it clear until I can put it into use. I will probably spend more time sitting contemplating the work to be done rather than actually doing it! Lol

Oh yes....... I will be taking my poly-tunnel down there to free up the space in the back garden for more flowers!

Just think, you couldn't get a gym membership for that price and you'll be doing more exercise and getting loads of tasy veg in the bargain!

Oooh! Did I hear 'more flowers'?? What fun!

I think the space looks good,Ian - probably about right, in spite of some of it not being yours.

I like that thinking Busylizzy!
Spritz, the space you have seen is all mine and I know we will be having more flowers and a couple of fruit trees! (They aren't allowed at the allotment ? ? ?)

Congratulations on getting this growing space Ian..Lots of hard work ahead but good luck ! Sure it will be hugely productive for your family and friends/neighbours.!

No fruit trees? surely a few dwarf ones should be ok. I can understand them not wanting a load of huge ones....but a few babies ?

Hi BB thank you, I hope so to!
AA absolutely not. No trees of any kind are allowed!?! I have no idea why but if it's a rule then I have to stick to it!

This is great news, Ian!! I only got a letter asking me if I wanted to stay on the very long waiting list. look forward to see all the fab stuff you'll grow here. :-))

Ian, your allotment looks good! Needs some hard work as any one needs, but fresh vegetables and Flower Ocean will be the prize! Good luck!

That's not good news David but fingers crossed for you mate!
Uma, Thank you, I hope so!

I agree with Bulbaholic Ian, if you were to see some of the ones at my son`s site including the one he has, then your heart would be in your boot`s, in fact building sites comes to mind. A darn good price and having the tap so close is a bonus. Keep us posted Ian........

Will do Ll, I did a bit of digging today but not enough to make a difference!

Now then Ian, every little bit makes a difference, surely you`ve heard the one about the young bull and the older wiser one ?????????//....

No Ll, care to share it with us?

Lol.not allowed Ian....Don`t believe an ex lorry driver hasn`t heard it anyway....

Lol, I might have but you could PM it to me. I promise not to flag you for it!

Cogratulations Ian, a lot of work but just think how you will feel once its sorted.WONDERFUL.!

You're definitely right Valadel, I can't wait to start planting things. That's always the best time for me, perhaps even better than eating the veg when it's ripe. I love planting things and watching them grow. I'm like a kid in a sweet shop. :~)))))))))

I know,Iknow Ian its that nurturing side of every gardener. :o))

I just adore planting things Valadel, I'm sure I will plant far to many seeds this year but who cares? Lol

The plot looks great but then what do i know being the novice here. I'll look forward to watching it change over time :-)

Good luck xx

Thanks again Kimmy. Lol

It certainly looks in great heart and the weeds look pretty superficial. That looks like a permanent ready made bean trench. I love the typical allotment fences - anything goes type, lol. You've been very lucky - you deserve it!

Thanks Wagger, I'm feeling a bit guilty today as I haven't been down again! (didn't go yesterday either) Those weeds will be having a field day but it's just to c-c-c-cold!

looks good to me ian, not alot to weed and move so thats a good start, better than being over run with weed and having to kill that off and wait before planting, so all in all a good plot, im sure it will be a success ;o))

Thanks San, I should get through it without to much trouble. ;~))

keep the pics coming ian :o))

Back in 1972 I got two allotments but they were so full of couch grass I wasn't able to do much with them. It was the same year I went to Spain so I didn't do very much.

A few years ago my wife suggested we get an allotment but I didn't fancy the digging & anyway I was working shifts & didn't fancy all the hard work either. A couple of years later the town council were trying to get people interested in allotments by offering half size plots & even some courses on how to run an allotment. Now, with the economic crisis of the last few years, there is greater demand for them but there are hardly any available.

I'm lucky in that a guy a church has offered me one of the two he has. We haven't been down to see them yet because of the bad weather we have had for the last few months. But I hope that very soon now we can go & see them & I can perhaps make a start on something.

That looks huge Ian..wow..good fun for the spring and summer..and loads of veggies and flowers....!

Thanks Cat. here's hoping!