This is the place to discuss not just allotments but all general gardening problems and queries which don't fit into the specific categories below.
(formerly allotments and tips, hints and problems)
Hi all.
Though clued up on hunting (and muay thai haha) im a relative newcomer to growing my own produce. My names down with the local Authority/Council for an allotment patch. Im currently planning to grown produce (as much as is possible) out of a few raised beds in my garden. However i digress. What i'd like to ask is, how much can i reasonable expect to grow on a 3 rod plot? Since these are the norm now in Portsmouth it appears.
Does a 3 rod allotment patch hold potential? I'd like to grow a good proportion of what my family eats on it, especially from a personal point of view..i.e healthier food for my family, and this should aid my diet and nutrition for muay thai. From what im told a 3 rod allotment spot isnt going to be much good, so im told. However having gone down to look at a friends 3 rod, they dont look that bad. That said, im 29 and one of the only lads in my group of mates that is into this kind of thing.
oldjerry wrote:If by a rod they mean 5 1/2 sq yds,then 3 rods divided into deep beds will grow loads of food.
Hi Jerry,
Well i couldnt find a photo of one of the plots on the site im in the waiting list for (18 month waiting list, though they do tend to come up faster apparently). But i've found the Portsmouth Council site for Allotment info and it quotes a 3 rod plot as being :
"A 3 rod plot is approximately 75m2 "
So you reckon i could get by comfortably on one that size? And any idea's/info you'd like to pass on to me would be greatly appreciated. This is new territory for me
Many Thanks.
I thinkyour prospective allotment is plenty big enough to grow alot of fruit and veg. I've always lived on a smallholding where space has never been a problem but my veg growing area(and there are 5 of us) aint much bigger than that.On this site there are really ,really ,shit hot allotment growers,and they will advise/help you all you need,and more.
You will be fitter,better fed,and more chilled than you can imagine,hassle the council,and get your plot. Best Wishes Jerry.
It used to be said that a 10 rod plot would keep a family in veg - including spuds, and they take a lot of room - all year round. However, the five rod plot we had on the Wickham Rd site kept our family of five pretty well, although we never had enough spuds for the whole year. With careful planting, eating in season, and careful use of the freezer, a 3 rod should see you through ok.
Good to see other 'am'shire 'ogs on the site,
Love and Peace
Jim
The law will punish man or woman
Who steals the goose from off the Common
But lets that greater thief go loose
Who steals the Common from the goose.
Sounds wonderful to me :) My brother-in-law had a smaller plot when he first started, but being a plot holder he was able to get another half plot at a later date, which meant he could grow spuds as well.
Congratulations on only having an 18month wait, many areas have tens o years wait !!
Say what you mean and be who you are, Those who mind don't matter, and those that matter don't mind
just what i wanted to hear. Really stoked about this now. Hopefully the next 18 months will fly by. I have heard that if you keep on at them, not OTT on at them, but keep on top of them you can get them a little quicker. Have a mate on the particular site im going for who seems to think they do come up quicker on occasions. Hopefully there will be an influx of people giving theirs up this year on that site
Hopeless at maths, so cannot visualise 3 rods, but I have two allotments of 10 metres by 12 metres, which isnt very big, but I grow enough potatoes and onions to keep me and my daughter going all year, also pumpkins, beans, sweetcorn, beetroot, etc etc. Hope you don't have to wait too long. Did anyone read about the cost of allotments trebling in some places? makes it a very expensive hobby, but must be better for you than supermarket veg. I pay £25 each for my plots. pbf.
People obviously have differing attitudes as to what is enough veg. We have a plot officially 26 poles (which is the same as 26 rods) although both rods and poles are linear measurements, so it always confuses me how it represents a square area.
Anyway with our 26 poles, I struggle to grow everything we need 12 months of the year, especially cauliflowers and broccoli consistantly throughout the year because of lack of space. I guess we are 100% self-sufficient for 8 months of the year and about 70% for the other 4 (we are primarily vegetarian and like a wide choice of different veg. throughout the year). But we do have several fruit trees, an area for soft fruit and a sitting area.
Why are talking "rods "+ "poles" the last time i heard that was at school 50years ago, just give me yds, or mtrs and i will can help. Remember my name "CONFUSED"
[quote="grahamhobbs"]People obviously have differing attitudes as to what is enough veg. We have a plot officially 26 poles (which is the same as 26 rods) although both rods and poles are linear measurements, so it always confuses me how it represents a square area
Sure Graham,but that 'd be a hell of a big area to start with, surely better to cut your teeth on a smaller area,and learn by experience to use it efficiently.Anyhow,most of the allotment holders I know start of with a single plot,and over a period of time,it just seems to expand...
