A HOBBY GROWING IN POPULARITY
TRADITIONALLY allotments change hands in the autumn and if you fancy one it’s only fair to warn you that they are probably more popular now than ever. Demand exceeds supply in many areas, so contact your local council to see what is available.
Don’t settle for a plot that’s too far from home. The novelty of driving miles to do an hour’s weeding or a spot of watering after work may soon pall and there’s a risk crops will go past their best if you can’t drop in to pick them regularly.
Also, make sure you aren’t taking on more than you can cope with. Allotments are traditionally large (bigger than most back gardens) because they were originally meant for people with big families who wanted to be self-sufficient in good, filling food such as potatoes, onions and cabbages. Even runner beans or marrows were a bit exotic.
Today’s family tends to want crops that are expensive in the shops, such as salads, soft fruit, tomatoes, courgettes and French beans, which need much more regular attention.
So if you fancy an allotment why not start small? See if your local site rents out half or quarter-size plots.
Think about sharing with a group of friends. Besides being more sociable it means there’s always someone on call during holiday times – and to help eat sudden gluts of lettuces or runner beans. It’s also handy to have several sets of hands to do essential work such as clearing an overgrown site – a common problem if a previous tenant has lost interest or fallen ill.
The other thing I’d suggest is reading a few good books on the subject and looking at websites to find out what’s involved.
Do your homework now and you’ll be starting on the right foot this autumn.