7 Tips For Getting and Managing Your Own Garden Allotment
Growing your own vegetables and fruits is fast becoming the in thing in the UK. I believe there are several reasons for this. One reason is the knowledge that your fresh fruit and vegetables will have been grown without the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides. Another reason may be the cost effectiveness, as well as many other reasons such as tastier food or getting children outside and involved in growing things.
Not all gardens are sizeable enough to grow many vegetables and fruits in, so the simple solution is to look for an area of land locally called an allotment. These are usually low cost and of good size.
1. How to find an allotment – it isn’t always apparent where your local allotments are as they are often out of sight, but they will be around so don’t despair. Usually these pieces of land are owned by a local town or parish council. First try a local search for ‘allotment’ in your area on Google. If that doesn’t work contact your local parish or town council clerk. You will need to contact them anyway to actually apply for your allotment.
2. Having a word with older members of the community might also reveal where the allotments are.
3. It may be that you are lucky enough to have a choice of allotments. If you are then maybe you’d like to consider some of the following. Is there a water supply? Will you be able to get your vehicle close to the allotment? Maybe even are there toilets nearby?
4. Before you accept any allocation of allotment I would recommend that you see the intended site first, just to get the feel of if it’s the right area for you. For instance you wouldn’t want to take on an allotment that is very shaded or indeed very exposed and open with little in the way of wind breaks.
5. The size of the allotments may also be a consideration as they do tend to be quite large in size. It may be possible to have a half or quarter size allotment in some areas.
6. The size of the allotments may seem too large, but is it really? Think about what things you would like on your site such as an area to park the car, if this is a possibility. You might also like to add a garden shed or even greenhouse. Some people also add areas of seating like garden tables and chairs.
7. Don’t let a large allotment put you off it’s better to have more space that you need so you can grow into it rather than not having enough ground in the long run. An easy way to manage land that you won’t be using for a start is to cover it with old carpets weighted down around all the edges. Alternatively black plastic will do the same job but may need extra to hold it down.
Having your own allotment has the benefit of providing quality food for you and your family to eat. As well as being an excellent way to keep fit and enjoy the company of others doing the same thing that you are.
