Grow Your Own Magazine

This year I have grown veggies in my back garden and have been very pleased with the outcome. I plan to go one step further and today I plan to call and ask about a local council allotment plot.

Can all advised lotty's please let me know what sort of questions I should ask i.e is it south facing. Why did the last owner give up the plot (I'm just thinking in case there is a problem with the soil).

Is there anything else I need to know?

The first thing I would ask is how long is the waiting list!

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good for you Silverfox!
I've just put my name down for a lottie but there's a waiting list of about 9 people in front of me - its disappointing 'cos once you've decided to take the plunge you just want to get on with it!
Fingers crossed they'll have some going spare where you are! but you may not have a choice about which plot you want.

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smiling is infectious....

http://www.thehudsonallotment.blogspot.com/ updated 28th May 2008

well good news folks!!!!!!! I just called and they have 2 plots to show me on Sat when he is next down there!!!!!!!!!

I thought I would have to stay on a list for a few years. Anyway fingers crossed they are both really well kept and even a few suprises left in the ground for me.

congratulations! you must be well excited!!

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smiling is infectious....

http://www.thehudsonallotment.blogspot.com/ updated 28th May 2008

Very much so I just walked around the office and told everyone. I may drive past there tonight on my way home and see which ones look like thay have no owners......... The other lottys will think I'm some mad women looking through the fence with a big smile on my face and hope in my eyes.

That's great news Silverfox!!

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Well done Silverfox
And may all your veggies be tasty.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

[size="1"]Journal updated Tuesday 5th August

Don't just drive past, if theres anyone there go in and ask if they know which are the vacant plots & have a nosey, I'm sure they won't mind. If theu turn out to be jungles ask if they can arrangee to have the weeds cut down & maybe ploughed, we have a tame farmer who does this for us if people want it.

Good on yer anyway & I hope you enjoy the plot

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Yes..I would go in and have a wander around and chat to the 'locals'. They will be more than willing to tell you which plot they would go for and why, and why the last person gave up. The council will probably have no idea unless they kicked them off!!!
Remember - they will probably want to meet you too so they can chat about you during their well earned rests. Nice bit of gossip!!!
Enjoy......

Find out if plots have clubroot as this severely limits your growing of brassicas

I went to the lotty on Saturday and I am now the owner of a 10 pole plot. It was all dug over and had nice pile of horse muck at the end ready for me to put in as and when I want.
It was given up due to old age and had belonged to the same man for 15 years, He was also there as he now gives up his weekends to work as a volunteer in the lotty shop.
The toilet block is 2 plots away from me, the tap is the same in the other direction. There is no shed but I can put one up, and a nice stream at the bottom end.

Now all I need is things to put in the ground!!!!

Congratulation Silverfox,

Welcome to the lottie owners association

It's good when you know the background of the plot. Can I make a suggestion. Next time your'e down there Take a flask of coffee & make him a drink & pick his brains as to what he grew , when he planted them etc, as he will have 15 years knowledge of the plot, I'm sure he won't mind. Then when you grow stuff give him the occasional Cabbage, bag of spuds etc just to keep in with him - It may be useful if you go on holiday.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Sound advice Nick.

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very good advice. I was going to ask if they run a holiday club type thing. You put your name down on a holiday chart, when you are due to be away and someone who is away at a different time that you will water your plot and you do the same for them when they are away.

Do any other sites do this? or is it something I have just made up and everyone will look at me like I am stupid!

I have never heard of anything like that Silverfox, say it and if they look at you like you are stuped tell them someone else told you to ask it
maybe then you will look even more stuped
Sorry

sounds like a fab idea - if its not something that exists then I think you've come up with a great new idea!
good luck!

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smiling is infectious....

http://www.thehudsonallotment.blogspot.com/ updated 28th May 2008

Sounds like a stroke of genius Silverfox, maybe you're a natural with this allotment business !
I am green with envy at the thought of what you have as facilities. Mine - if and when the council ever "release" it - is one of a mere five inside a locked up walled garden. No water, electricity, shop, only one other person actually using the place at present...the only ensuite thing is china fragments in the soil !
Anyone know any good dowsers in the Aberdeen area ?

Sounds like a great place-dug over, manure at the ready, a shop, a tap, a toilet block-----you're in allotment heaven aren't you??!!! We're still trying to dig a football pitch on a hillside after 12 months, and as for lugging the manure up the hill, well, the next stop is casualty!!!! And toilets--well, we just have to hold on!!!!!!

HAVE FUN!!!