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I have an allotment in the dorset area and have put raised beds on it as there is a problem with flooding....we are in talks with the council to try and sort the drainage out....
It has come to my attention that someone at the allotments has been going around saying that my raised beds are the CAUSE of the flooding and that is why other allotments around mine have flooded....now I know I cannot blame anyone, however, there is someone on the allotment committee who victimises women and other people who do not do things his way....so I would just like to ask for my own wellbeing that my raised beds have NOT caused more flooding!??
As for this person...we are trying to deal with him the correct way ie talk to committee and council however it is proving a tad difficult, as he is on the cmmittee and has been a plot holder for many years if anyone has any tips etc then please could you let me know, as all i want to do is go down and enjoy my allotment :o(

Hmm, what a pain!! - I really can't imagine how your raised beds could cause flooding on other beds scrag, but I guess I can see that some old members might not like you doing it differently. Some people just seem to need something or anything to winge about. I hope you manage to solve the problem... but try to smile and don't let them get you down :-)

urgh tedious. I cannot see hwo they would cause th flooding - I would start by asking how they thought it did.

Good point Red, ask how EXACTLY they are causing the flooding. So often when asked this people say, "they just are" and they realise they're being silly. Have you done anything strange when creating your raised beds, lining them with concreate?

In the meantime keep dealing with the person you're having difficulties with in the correct way. It may be frustrating but things will only get worse if, say you confront him. If he is victemising you in a dangerous or unaceptable way you must report this and ask for help immediatly. Please. If he is just being a right old anoying grumpy so and so I don't think you can do anyting other then grit your teeth. Do you have any friends or people you like on the site?

Utter rubbish the old sod should be put down and composted.
The act of raising beds will not cause flooding, and is used in area's where there is too much surface water.
By increasing soil depth with raised beds your actually slowing down the perculation of water through the soil...a good thing.
Now you might have a point if you directed that comment to me because I've covered the non raised beds area in black weed sheeting, as this prevents as much rain getting in to the soil, and it runs off down the slight incline I'm on. But it always flooded on our allotments any way, and thats why we had drainage and a wet lands area put in last year

Can't add anything constructive, it's all be said. Play the vulnerable person card!

Salsify is a great veg, easy to grow.

Cheezy wrote:Utter rubbish the old sod should be put down and composted.

I can only add that it's one of the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

I'll never understand some of the politics that you get 'round allotments. Don't these people have anything more constructive to do with their time?

What a nutter

a large pinch of salt and a rubber ear is what you need

thanks guys...thats what i thought...just wanted to make sure that i wasnt being stupid if i said they didnt cause the flooding!
i think i'll just keep my head down and my "bum" in the air...rather than get into an argument with them and make things worse
I do have some friends at the allotments, they seem to have been victimised by certain plot holders as she (nad myself) want to keep our plots organic and wont let them weedkill the grassy paths around our allotments....maybe thats where all the hate started from? as you have said before..not doing things their way!
so chin up for me and dig my green manure in!

Been trying to think of anyway you could "cause " the flooding.... and I can't. Do they perhaps mean that the raised beds have created a mini dam and diverted more water onto their plots?

I hasten to add that I am in no way condoning their comments, just trying to get to the bottom of them.

If you continue to be discriminated against by the committee, my advice would be to go to the landlords of the allotment land (usually your local council) and speak to their parks and garden rep who may mediate on your behalf. If allotment committees cannot behave in a reasonable manner, there certainly are ways of making them. I would also advise speaking to your area rep from the Allotment Regeneration Initiative as they will certainly have advice to offer.

Don't let it get to you, enjoy your allotment.

And if that fails, involve the environment agency - they should have somebody who could - with authority - tell them that they are daft!

By having the beds raised you don't 'push' the water away to the other plots (if that's what they think). You should be able to prove that by digging a hole in one of your raised beds waiting a good while and seeing if the water is at the same height as elsewhere. Only it doesn't BOTHER you because you're the only one who has been smart enough to raise your beds. Your veg is ABOVE such down-to-earth problems

Also check the regulations if they say anything against raised beds. If not: bad luck for the committee-member.

Perhaps that helps.

Good luck, Jandra

Actually - just pointing out that last summer was about the wettest ever on record should convince them - unless they don't want to be convinced!

Just thought - while we are at it, can I maybe blame the fact that my house is wet, and was surrounded by floods last summer (and still is whenever there's a little rain), and that my garage was constantly under water - can I please blame all that on your raised beds, too?

OK, OK. Thought I'd try... (Goes and hides...)