We are all going to go down with the heatstroke

[Borchester]

round here we also have the fun of having each plot of land run by an "allotment society" so you have to apply to each separately, and god help you if one finds you've applied to another. You would THINK there would be some sort of central application point, not least since there are three separate areas within cycling (but not walking) distance of my front door.



I did see a notice that several plots are subdivided on some allotments around here. I don't know if i'd have the time to maintain a full one like dad and my two uncles did ...

No!

It sounds easier but it just means that the local authority (who are the ones usually running things) will put you in a queue and they can be years long. What you want to do is go round to the local allotment society and have a word with the other plot holders. They will point out any vacant plots and, more importantly, those about to become vacant. Then you can approach the letting officer and take matters from there.



And then stand for the Allotment Committee. No one wants to be on the committee so you will be snapped up.

[johnofgwent]

Nothing wrong with your slip stick John. Two sig figs is good enough for anyone. The important thing is a shed for the beer and a bonfire to heat a kettle for the coffee.



Allotment sizes are the source of many happy and harmless rows. For no particular reason 10 rods (300 square yards ) is more or less standard but if there is a waiting list these are often sub divided. In East London the locals have plots not much bigger than a decent window box. A point to remember is that the size usually includes the paths. An even more important point is that the plots are surveyed by the site letting officer, who only got the job because no one else wanted it so his calculations are invariably wrong.

round here we also have the fun of having each plot of land run by an "allotment society" so you have to apply to each separately, and god help you if one finds you've applied to another. You would THINK there would be some sort of central application point, not least since there are three separate areas within cycling (but not walking) distance of my front door.



I did see a notice that several plots are subdivided on some allotments around here. I don't know if i'd have the time to maintain a full one like dad and my two uncles did ...

[Borchester]

I need a better slide rule. And i need to be more awake when I post. I did of course mean 900 square yards. Decimal Point Error



Curiousity, if I may. Is there such a thing as a standard allotment size.

Nothing wrong with your slip stick John. Two sig figs is good enough for anyone. The important thing is a shed for the beer and a bonfire to heat a kettle for the coffee.



Allotment sizes are the source of many happy and harmless rows. For no particular reason 10 rods (300 square yards ) is more or less standard but if there is a waiting list these are often sub divided. In East London the locals have plots not much bigger than a decent window box. A point to remember is that the size usually includes the paths. An even more important point is that the plots are surveyed by the site letting officer, who only got the job because no one else wanted it so his calculations are invariably wrong.

[johnofgwent]

I mean 30 poles, which is 900 square yards and I know that is so because it says so on the receipts I got when I paid my allotment rent.



A barrel is about 36 gallons although it depends on what it is used for. And of course, a tun can be anything from 208 to 252 gallons, although it is usually reckoned to hold 224 gallons, hence our modern ton or 2240 lbs.

I need a better slide rule. And i need to be more awake when I post. I did of course mean 900 square yards. Decimal Point Error



Curiousity, if I may. Is there such a thing as a standard allotment size. As I approach retirement I am thinking of applying for one, it's been decades since I worked on dad's..... and I know people say it's a waste of time. but he used to try and assemble most of the "traditional veg" for christmas and I don't care what people say about the time you spend to grow them, they knocked everything except the local greengrocer's stuff into a cocked hat.

[Borchester]

Your allotment is 91 square yards ?? Or just the bit that needs watering...



Surely you mean 30 rods. the rod is the one that can be a line, or a measurement of surface area. well it was in 1972





Also, you can't get away with saying "a barrel". Is that a tun. or a firkin ...

I mean 30 poles, which is 900 square yards and I know that is so because it says so on the receipts I got when I paid my allotment rent.



A barrel is about 36 gallons although it depends on what it is used for. And of course, a tun can be anything from 208 to 252 gallons, although it is usually reckoned to hold 224 gallons, hence our modern ton or 2240 lbs.

[johnofgwent]

I did not realise that I was internet savvy. Anyway, I have 30 poles to water from a stand pipe that is supposed to be able to fill a barrel in 11 minutes but takes all week to fill a quart pot.



The government is doing sod all about it as usual  

Your allotment is 91 square yards ?? Or just the bit that needs watering...



Surely you mean 30 rods. the rod is the one that can be a line, or a measurement of surface area. well it was in 1972





Also, you can't get away with saying "a barrel". Is that a tun. or a firkin ...

[Borchester]

I didn't realise there were any internet-savvy people who still use Fahrenheit

I did not realise that I was internet savvy. Anyway, I have 30 poles to water from a stand pipe that is supposed to be able to fill a barrel in 11 minutes but takes all week to fill a quart pot.



The government is doing sod all about it as usual  

[papasmurf]

I see your capital P, but we always used cubits.

rod, pole, or perch does not have the same impact.

[Barry]

We never got rid of Poles.

I see your capital P, but we always used cubits.

[Streetwalker]

We never got rid of Poles.

Just as well , my great great granny wouldn't take too kindly to being dug up from Wandsworth road cemetery

[papasmurf]

We had all better get used to along with Gallons Ilb and ozs  and feet and inches .  Furlongs , Fathoms and maybe the odd quart  :hattip

We never got rid of Poles.

[Streetwalker]

I didn't realise there were any internet-savvy people who still use Fahrenheit

 We had all better get used to along with Gallons Ilb and ozs  and feet and inches .  Furlongs , Fathoms and maybe the odd quart  :hattip

[Hyperduck Quack Quack]

It is 77° F in London and will probably carry on like this into the next week. I have three allotments which are all bone dry and a hose line that I have to share with five other plots. I don't mind the Peking Pox; we all have to die of something. But this is Britain and you would think that the useless bastards running the government could manage a drop of rain.  :rant:

I didn't realise there were any internet-savvy people who still use Fahrenheit

[johnofgwent]

It is 77° F in London and will probably carry on like this into the next week. I have three allotments which are all bone dry and a hose line that I have to share with five other plots. I don't mind the Peking Pox; we all have to die of something. But this is Britain and you would think that the useless bastards running the government could manage a drop of rain.  :rant:

All you need is for me to pick up my rake and hum a little ditty when levelling the soil off in the raised beds and former scorched earth soon to be new lawn as I 'tamp it down then rake to a fine tilth'.....



Last time i did this, five years ago, it rained solidly from June to October



Give me three hours to let the fence I've just painted dry, and I'll start my rain chant....

[Borchester]

50 grade sun blocker and a "coolie" hat.

I am liking it Pappy. Find me one that will cover 900 square yards and we will be in business.