Allotment life & Sustainable Living

Tuesday 15 March 2022

Overgrown Allotment | My First Plot

I have an allotment! I had no idea I would be able to say (and type) those words so soon and now that I can, I want to scream them from the rooftops. To get started, I went on to the website for the local council, typed in "allotment" and followed the steps on there for how to apply. I applied via email and didn't get a response for a couple of days. I was desperately impatient and it's a good job I was because when I checked the email I'd sent, I'd only gone and typed the email address wrong. There is no wonder nobody was getting back to me.

So, I copied and pasted my email and made sure it went to the correct address this time. The next day I had a reply saying I would be added to a short waiting list and to give them some more details such as my address and mobile number. After giving this information via email, I did not get an email to confirm anything. At first I assumed all was well but if you know me, you will know I am a very anxious person and find the most miniscule things to worry about. So, as each hour went by, I managed to convince myself they hadn't got the email so assumed I was no longer interested.

I typed another email.
"Sorry to bother you. I just wanted to email and check you received my previous email confirming my details and to check I've been added to the waiting list".
Bad idea.
The response that followed stated he'd already told me in the first email I was on the waiting list. I was embarrassed for being eager and managed to convince myself that they would put my name back to the bottom for pestering them.

Luckily, I was wrong. Last week I got an email asking if I was available to view some plots. So, on Saturday morning I met a gentleman at the allotment site and viewed some plots. One had clearly been a well loved giant flower bed, another had been treated with lots of chemicals to kill weeds, and the other had lots of overgrowth, a broken fence, and a little shed. How could I say no to a little shed? Especially as I am yet to get my full driving license so I will have to rely on walking to the plot or getting the odd lift so having a place to store any tools would be brilliant (not that I even have any yet).

I didn't snap up the plot immediately as a few people had warned me away from the idea of having a plot by implying I wouldn't be cut out for the hard work. And, the man from the allotment very politely implied I wouldn't be strong enough. I called my mum and asked for her opinion. Once I explained to her my reasons for wanting it and my plans for what to do with it, it was a no-brainer. I'd take the plot. But, before emailing and confirming I would be the happy new owner of said plot, I wanted to double check with my partner as, after all, he would be the one dropping off large tools there whilst I am learning to drive. And of course he will get dragged in to do the spot of help occasionally. Once he saw the photos, he agreed it was definitely doable. So, I finally accepted my plot.

It is a 5 rod plot and I am sure that is more than enough space for me to be cracking on with. Taking on a plot in mid-March isn't ideal as this is when people begin sowing their main crop either direct into soil or in smaller pots at home to transfer later. I am hoping I will be able to cheat my way a bit with store bought plugs later down the line if I end up clearing more space quicker than expected but for now I am going to clear it and grow, section by section. The first point of call are the raised beds. They're made of concrete so the gentlemen before me must have been quite the DIY guy. They are very sturdy and will be a perfect, easy spot to clear first and get something growing whilst I then tackle the larger plot area.

Please let me know if you have any tips for starting my first allotment plot. I've been given a lot of advice already but I am desperate for as much advice as possible. As you may know, I am definitely a beginner when it comes to gardening but it is already bringing me so much joy and purpose.

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