Allotments

[Papa Lazarou]

There is an old law that was quoted in a newspaper recently which states that if 6 people go to the local council saying that want land to grow vegetables on the council are duty bound to find them some land. Not sure whether or not that would be the same if they have already provided allotments etc. Also British Rail, when it was such, had a load of allotments on the north side of the railway just west of South Farm Road (back of the houses in Pavillion Road) and also a few on the other side of the line with access from what was the old signal box. They havent been used for years not sure whether Health and Safety would allow them to be used again or BR allow it but worth a letter or phone call.

Interesting. Is this the area you are talking about Between the back gardens of the houses and the railway line?

 

[BensGrandad]

Yes that is it. When I was young, in the good old days, as people say, the allotments were at the bottom of our gardens both South of the line and also over the line on the North of it. As I have said they havent been used for years and you may also come across a health and safety problem being near to the railway line. This problem didnt exist, or not so much in those days. As I have said you dont lose a lot with a 2nd class letter or phone call.

 

[BensGrandad]

Its that time of year again when everybody starts preparing for the growing season.

Does anybody know of a garden shop/hardware shop that sell seed potatoes by the kilo in the Brighton/Worthing/Haywards Heath area. The local garden centre sells them by the bag which you fill but that is too many for me and I hate waste. If all else fails I will have to fill a bag and give some to other plot holders on the allotment.

 

[algie]

I was trying to get an allotment in Worthing last year, but sadly the waiting list is closed here as there is so much demand for them..

I'm having that trouble in Crawley.Fully booked up.

 

[BensGrandad]

They are becoming more and more popular.

On the BBC site they suggested possibly using the back garden of an old person in that it serves dual purpose in that you have somewhere to grow veg and they have their garden maintained and looking reasonable.

 

[algie]

They are becoming more and more popular.

On the BBC site they suggested possibly using the back garden of an old person in that it serves dual purpose in that you have somewhere to grow veg and they have their garden maintained and looking reasonable.

Not suprising with the prices of fruit and veg these days.The prices for ruhbarb and leeks etc.These veg use to be dirt cheap.Not forgetting we have entered the green eco friendly phase in this country and with all these gardening programs on tv as well.

 

[Easy 10]

They are becoming more and more popular.

On the BBC site they suggested possibly using the back garden of an old person in that it serves dual purpose in that you have somewhere to grow veg and they have their garden maintained and looking reasonable.

Best ask first though.

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

we have recently taken ownership of an allotment

What should we be looking to plat this time of year ??

 

[algie]

we have recently taken ownership of an allotment

What should we be looking to plat this time of year ??

Your hair?

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Your hair?

if only

 

[BensGrandad]

The best advice to give to a new allotment holder is go and buy The Vegetable and Herb Expert by Dr D G Hessayon. Very little can be planted during January unless you have a heated greenhouse. A lot of things can be planted indoors during late February. I was told if the shops like Wilkinsons have the seeds it is time to start thinking about sowing them.

 

[ady1973]

This will my 3rd year with an allotment....love it. Like everyone else has said, there is nothing like eating your own.

The next thing we shud be looking at growing will be Broad beans, these should be sewn in February.Followed by savor cabbage and sprouts,then month by month everything else can go in, until the sign of frost has gone.Then it's sew anything you like.

Looking forwarded to end of april/may....when i can get the rotavator down on it.

At the mo most garden centres are having special on with their seeds, the old barn had 50% off theres...happy days

What is the price everyone pays for their allotment , I pay £24 a year....cheap as chips !!

 

[BensGrandad]

Ours in HH is £15 at the moment but we have our AGM on Sunday so it may rise.

 

[vegster]

we have recently taken ownership of an allotment

What should we be looking to plat this time of year ??

You can sow Onion and Leek seed in a heated greenhouse or in a heated propagator on a windowsill

 

[Saint Lennard]

I've just got my hands on an alotment. £15 a year. It hasn't been touched for years so will need a hell of alot of prep. Already started diggin up before christmas but it's all a bit waterlogged at the moment.

 

[1066familyman]

I've just got my hands on an alotment. £15 a year. It hasn't been touched for years so will need a hell of alot of prep. Already started diggin up before christmas but it's all a bit waterlogged at the moment.

STOP !!! You'll do more harm than good if you start digging while it's too wet. Spoil the soil structure.

If I were you I'd get it completely covered now, put your feet up and enjoy a great summer of sport ( World Cup year don't forget ) and then start digging at the end of the summer. By then, if you've covered it well, you will have an easy dig and hopefully have killed off all the weeds too - although if it's covered in cooch you'll still need to get all the roots out as you dig...........or else !

 

[BensGrandad]

If the soil clings to the fork it is too wet to dig .

 

[Seecider]

Allotment

we have recently taken ownership of an allotment

What should we be looking to plat this time of year ??

Provided your soil is not to heavy or stoney, I'd plant parsnips, but it's worth going to thelocal builders merchantand buying some plumbers ble flexi piping, and bagging some plastic eg from a carpet warehouse and making a mini poly tunnel. Helps the seeds germinate.