r/UKAllotments

So last night or this morning someone went into my greenhouse and stole all my ripe tomatoes and heritage New Mexico green chilis, then pulled out all the supporting stakes. All those months of work and care in ruins. After nurturing them through this summer I can’t express how upset and angry I am. Theft happens occasionally I know, it’s the combination of the 2 that’s so bewildering. Normally I’m pretty accepting of allotment shenanigans but this feels targeted because of the vandalism. They also went through my shed but don’t seem to have taken anything.

So my partner got an allotment last week that was hugely overgrown. Originally I had no intension in doing anything and letting her get on with it but when we finally got it after waiting a year, it was really overgrown and she told them she'd think about it (which I know means she will say no) BUT it was a large plot so I got to work and after a week, all we are waiting for now is the rain to come so I can level the ground for her.

To be completely honest, I now love the place, spent nearly all my time there this week, even whilst not working on it BUT, I am wanting to start learning carpentry and thought it would be a great idea to help build some tables and chairs, growbeds and anything else she may want to practice on. The only downside is that we live in flats and don't own a garden so the only place I could build them is at the allotment, using saws, sanders and drills.

The people there are really nice but I have no idea on rules of allotments as I only learnt last year they existed and do not want to upset them in any way. I'd obviously only do it when there was no one around but I'd feel bad if someone came in and I didn't see and just wanted to gauge if that's something that is frowned upon or not before I go in and ask them?

Thank you for your help and also, any tips for levelling the ground would be handy, currently the plan is wait until we have a lot of rain, break up the ground with a fork before raking it all out.

How are people preparing their plots for next year if we have the same hot dry summer again?

My plot in the West Midlands is baked hard. It is in the sun all day. Each year I spread as much compost and leaf mould on the soil as I can make but this isn't rotting down at the moment as also too dry.

Is there much to do now or wait until next spring and see the situation then?

I've not had an allotment before and I am going to see one within walking distance tomorrow. I know they're smaller than bigger plots which is probably a good thing. Other than it's £30 a year, I don't know much else about it.

What questions would you be asking in advance?

Are there any questions you wish you asked at the start which would have been helpful to know once you'd started?

Currently on my list is :

Any there any watering facilities provided?

Are there any basic requirements that need to be met yearly with the allotment?

Any restrictions on bringing children onto the plot (I have a 6 and 3 yr old, and would love to give them an area each to grow/do something with)

Thanks!

Good afternoon all.

I’m debating putting a small wildlife pond, and maybe some pond barrels in a corner of my plot. I’ve got pond barrels at home and love the amount of wildlife that visits, including newts which now return to breed.

My logic is that by having a pond, I’ll encourage frogs and newts, which may have a positive effect on reducing slugs, though I wonder if I’ll also be attracting other animals which may cause harm to the allotment. We already get invaded by deer and I’m conscious of an extra water source being an invitation for all sorts of creatures great and small.

Do any of you have allotment ponds? And if so, are they a positive or negative addition to your allotment?

We have a plum tree in my garden that produces lots of fruit. However by the time that the fruit becomes ripe, they gain maggots. Every ripe fruit we pick has maggots. Is there a chemical free way to treat this?

Hi all, I’m hopefully getting an allotment in the next few weeks. They just need to make sure personal items have been removed from plots.

Give me all your tips and tricks! I’m from a country where we just have our vegetable gardens in our At home gardens.

TLDR - Plot being held "ransom" because committee have quadrupled key deposit without informing me (or anyone).

Looking for some advice regarding key deposit (in case you lose it etc).

Now I know not everyone will deal with the but its not necessarily the key thats the issue now.. its gone into legalities etc now

I originally paid for a key deposit.

Lost the key and contacted for a replacement.. first time in years I've asked for anything from them. And admit the key loss my fault but I thought my original key deposit covered that.. apparently not!!

To be told it was now 4x the amount and I wouldnt be allowed access to the plot if I didn't pay that. They have decided this because of people abandoning their plots apparently, fair enough do something about that but it's a standard padlock and key I'd rather buy them a whole new lock than pay £20 for a key that others still have even if they've abandoned their plots.. the deposit being higher punishes us currently with plots not them? They'll still have the key and access to the allotments without paying rent etc as the new deposit isn't for new locks just a replacement key🤦🏻‍♀️

I asked where this was documented, they apparently held a meeting last year but never sent us the notes via email like they usually do, never posted them on the noticeboard etc.

Then asked if my original deposit was being returned or put towards the new one... the response I got?

They did a plot inspection knowing the situation (they actually bypassed my allotment when they were doing these inspections less than a month ago. They decided to do another inspection specifically for me for some reason) and have given me my first warning.

All while ignoring my previous 2 emails regarding the deposit and asking for the notes.

Can anyone advise what leg I have to stand on here? I thought legally if a deposit (for anything) is changed you have to be informed and old deposit returned?

UPDATE - Attached is their email response. How can they think this is acceptable or am I maybe more entitled than I'd hope to be? 😅

*"We have had a committee decision regarding your emails and the decision is.

You lost your key so you dont get back your key deposit  of £5.

If you want to carry on working your plot the new key deposit is £20.

If you are not happy with this decision or the rules then you should maybe consider giving up your plot.

Regards

The Committee"*

I've taken on an allotment plot back in May and I am starting to worry I've been set up a bit.

My plot was very overgrown when I accepted it and is sandwiched between two overgrown plots. On one side the plot holder has been unwell but plans to return, however, the other side is completely vacant. A little while after accepting my plot, I was informed that this vacant end plot will not be let out again and is essentially being left to get overgrown (It is the last plot on our row and is very close to the apiary. Apparently they got more complaints than it was worth)

My problem is that couch grass and bindweed are an issue on this site and both my neighbouring plots are rife with it. The vacant one is also full of brambles which have grown through the fence that separates us.

I've spent several weeks digging out rhizomes, but if the plot next to mine remains vacant then I will never stop getting runners on mine. Also the brambles are HUGE and currently pulling the fence down due to how extensive it is.

Is this a losing battle? Can I win this with persistence or just give up and go back on the list for another plot? I feel like all the work I am doing now to prepare the ground is a waste of time because ultimately those runners will just keep coming.... ?