Not enough local allotments

[dwrudd]

Hello everyone,

I have been a keen gardener for a few years now and over the past four seasons have moved more and more into Vegetable gardening. Nothing showey, just for the table and I am loving it.

My problem like many others is one of allotments in my locality. I have two within 2 miles of me but I am 27th on one waiting list and 20th on the other.

I live in Ince, Wigan but my options are minimal. Does anyone have any idea's on finding land on which to grow? or perhaps knowledge of any more allotment schemes in my area.

Thanks

Darren

[Jaxom]

Unused neighbours gardens.

Hi Dwrudd, welcome to the vine. Someone mentioned working a neighbour�s garden, in return they get some of the vegetables you grow. I think it was either Nick The grief or Andrewo? Are there any elderly or disabled neighbours local to you that would welcome a person sharing their garden? It would be a lot quicker than waiting for the allotments locally.
Jax

[nick the grief]

Twas me Jax and you beat me to it You could try sticking an add in the local post office ( they have to get their pension don't they ) and see what happens. My Father did this whails he was waiting for a plot years ago. Have a word at the local council to see if there are any more sites (private maybe) near you. I guess it depends how far you want to travel.

Failing that try contacting the national allotment society, they may know of some.

http://www.nsalg.org.uk/

[dwrudd]

Thank you both, I shall try the society and get a little advert locally.

Darren.

[Elmo]

Any joy yet??

[dwrudd]

sorry for the delay, I can't always get at the computer for a surf ( work n all)

I have had no such joy yet, still 27th on my local allotment waiting list

I have started to ask around and hope to turn somthing up. I have however, persuaded my wife that a small greenhouse is an essential for her hanging basket to thrive and so I am searching the net for a decent 6 x 4 which is a start and can be hidden behind my shed in the garden. Obviousley the main reason is for her baskets you know

My seed spuds arrived this week and so are chitting in the garage, I will use spud bags again this year as they were so succesful for the last couple of years and can be plonked inbetween the shrubs on the bosses flower bed.

I'll let you know if I turn somthing up though.

Thanks

Darren

[nick the grief]

Hi Darren,

I assume you are looking for a second hand G/house. Otherwise, Elite do one that is a lean to that is designed to go on a shed. It looks lovely tel your wife the site of all thos tomatoes etc

[dwrudd]

I am looking to buy new but I will need a free standing greenhouse not a lean to. I have an L shaped flower bed that surrounds my shed on two sides, the decision is now 6 x 4 or 4 x 6, which side the door is on.....

I am trying to get the best use of space as it is obviousley only a small size.

Darren

[nick the grief]

4ft long x 6ft wide would be best as you only need 1 x 2ft slab for a path and can grow all around this. If you have it 4ft wide greenhouse, you either loose half your space to a path or you're not eating enough

I would put some staging on both sides ( preferably removable) then you can grow in the borders in the greenhouse but still have some room to grow early stuff.

[dwrudd]

I had not thought of that, Thank you.

I was edgeing toward the other way round but I am convinced and shall go 6' wide,

Darren

[nick the grief]

Wider & shorter is always better than long & thin (don't google that LJ!!!) becuase you can get better air flow through it.

On the subject of air flow, it will probably only come with one vent, get another one & if you can afford it a louvre as well. If you're relly feeling flush get auto vents openers for the roof vents then you can get good ventilaton in the g/house and it will help minimise fungal problems.

The louvre will be handy if you want to heat it in winter/early spring & use parafin lamps as you can open this up a crack to allow air & fumes out.

[Lesley Jay]

Nick I daren't google long and thin - can you imagine what might come up!!

(Just realised what I have wrote!!)

[nick the grief]

you've been reading to many of my posts

[violetsgarden]

Well, I am 39th on the list for an allotment. Within a 25 mile radius of my house, there are only 40 allotments in total. So it looks like I might to waiting some time Like maybe when I retire (I'm only 33 now).

Its not like I live in the urban jungle either! Devon in fact!!!

[nick the grief]

Hi VG,

I'm not 100% sure of the regs but I think if there are 6 people in your parish that want an allotment, the council have to try an find you a some space either short term ( lease of another landowner) or long term some of their won land. If you've got a 100% waiting list (and 39 waiting for 40 plots is as near as dammit) I would have thought that you may have a good chance.

I'll check the regs for you and make sure I'm right but it may be worth seeing if you can get a free ad in the local postie or shop or maybe even the local pub !

See if you can get the phone numbers of the other 38 folks and ask them if they fancy starting another site up. If you run it in conjunction with the existing site it will be better as they will have double the clout when it comes to buying supplies if they have a shop on site etc. Try putting this to the secretary they may be helpfull.

You can always contact the local council & see what the position is.