20 AMATEUR GARDENING 20 JULY 2019with Lucy Chamberlain, AG’s fruit and veg expert
Lucy shows you exactly how to keep on top of your plot
Fo cu s o n... Allotments
T
HERE are well over 300,
of them in the UK, and they offer
an excellent way to grow fruit,
vegetables and herbs if you
don’t have a sizeable garden – plus, they
inject a colourful sense of community
and culture into our lives. I’m talking
about allotment plots and how the way
we look after them has a significant
impact not just on ourselves, but also on
our plot neighbours and the local area.
So when it comes to allotment etiquette,
what are the hard and fast rules?
The set-up of your site will dictate its
management. For example, allotment
sites can be privately or council-owned,and additionally they
may be managed by an elected
committee via an allotment association.
When you take on a plot you will be
given a tenancy agreement, which will
outline the rules and regulations of
your specific site. The content will vary,
depending on the management policy,
but essentially once you pay your annual
fee, you’ll be entering into a contract to
adhere to these rules.Agreement specifics
Your tenancy agreement will usually list
policy details on general topics such as
keeping livestock and bees on the plot,lighting fires and greenhouse and shed
erection. Some may stipulate that you
cannot grow trees, but many usually
allow fruit trees provided they are
grown on a dwarfing rootstock.
Everyone is expected to follow a duty
of care when it comes to considerations
such as safety; for example, leaving a
paraffin heater unattended at night
would be prohibited. Pesticides should
be licensed and stored safely and a
handful of sites now even stipulate that
they only allow organic pest, disease
and weed control methods.Avoid antisocial behaviour
Noise-making activities are often
restricted, so check your agreement
before you send out invites to that all-
night summer allotment party! Access
is usually restricted to daylight hours,
and occasionally the plot holder only.
Strimming or chain-sawing during
unsociable hours can even lead to
prosecution by local authorities, and
housing cockerels on your plot may
also be restricted.All photography TI Media, unless otherwise creditedIf your plot isn’t kept up to scratch,
you’ll be given official notice to improve
it – and if you don’t, you’ll lose it.
Think twice before gleaning edible
produce from an abandoned plot, as
you would officially be trespassing!
While allotments can’t be used for
commercial activity, most authorities
allow the sale of genuine surplus.
Keep your plot as free from weeds
as you possibly can, so you prevent
nuisance seeds from blowing onto
neighbouring plots.
You’re allowed to grow cut flowers
on an allotment, but avoid invasive
plants such as bamboo and willow.
Pests that carry health risks like
vermin (rats in a compost heap) must
be controlled by the plot holder.Lucy’s tips
Essential allotment etiquetteThe National Allotment Society
THE National Allotment Society (NAS)
is an excellent resource for allotment
holders. This not-for-profit organisation
upholds the interests and rights of
the allotment community across the UK,
offering advice to its members on legal
issues, how to obtain a plot and site
conservation, along with a discounted
seed scheme, allotment insurance
and a wealth of crop cultivation
information, plus details of upcoming
shows, events and campaigns.
To find out more about the society
and how it can help you with your plot,
visit nsalg.org.uk.Many UK allotment plots allow you
to grow a diverse range of fruit,
vegetables and herbsEnsure good relations with neighbours!The National Allotment Societyand additionally they
may be managed by an electedFruit trees such as pear are
often permitted, provided they are
grown on a dwarfi ng rootstockYour tenancy
agreement should
list policy details
on keeping
livestock such
as chickensFind
out
more!Haleys Field Allotments, LeedsMain image and insets: Alamy