Allotments

May I point out this week, 12/08/2019 to 19/08/2019 is national allotment week.

 

What are the average dimensions of an allotment over there? They look very roomy compared to our version. Just curious as I only saw them whilst sitting in trains hurtling along tacks behind houses.

 

The average size of an allotment plot is roughly 250 sq metres, about the size of a tennis doubles court. This size is what was deemed to be the right size to feed a family of four.

It is a historic size and used to be measured in rods or poles, a 10 rod plot being the norm.

Steve...

 

That size has now changed and the average size is 5 rods ( 126.5 sq.m) due to less need and the waiting list. This is often still 5 to I0 years. The big site at the back of us and the one at the far end of our lane are all 5 rods, but some sites will just charge by the rod size you require..£10.50 per rod with a one off tenancy set up fee of £30.

 

I have my name down for an allotment

I have my own veg plot but an allotment means I can grow more ornamentals here

 

Holey Moley!! That is huge Ours look the size of a couple of parking spaces. Pitiful in comparison..

Thanks for the info @Steve R

 

That is particular to your area, it is different on a national basis, every site, area and council up and down the country is different in how they operate, organise, manage and how they charge.

But current allotment standard sizes that I quoted come directly from the National Allotment Society (NSALG) and I would guess that is derived from the info supplied by its member associations.

Allotment Info – The National Allotment Society – National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd

We have seen over the last ten years that a lot of sites have long waiting lists. It has become fairly common for plots to be split to facilitate two people on the waiting list rather than one as demand especially in built up areas can be massive.

Here in our village we have no waiting list and around 7 vacant full size plots (250 sq M).

Upsydaisy, whereas you put your name down and wait 5-10 years where you are, here you pay your rent and start planting the same day.

Steve...

 

Ah that's good @Steve R , you're very fortunate. That was a general note from Hampshire, the actual wait for the one behind us is only 1 to 3yrs. We are in a very rural area too but the demand for cutting borders and Polly Tunnels is very high.

 

Mine is 145 sq metres and I only had to wait around a week. Mostly fruit (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) but planning to add a small, pollinator-friendly ornamental area eventually. Have just planted 2 rows of raspberries and will be adding a third soon. Also experimenting with 4 honeyberries but only one producing fruit this year and very little of it, hopefully they will do better next year. So nice to have the fruit restricted to the allotment now because my garden is small and I just want to stick to ornamentals there!

Nick