26-04-2008

Spent most the day down on the plot today, mum and dad also came over for a few hours to help me out. Finished the back area and relaid the paving slabs...


We also moved the water tank back in to place and made a small fence at the top end of the plot, next job on the list is leveling out the soil so we can get started on building the first set of raised beds.

A couple of the neighbours popped their head over the fence this evening and said how impressed they were with all the work we had done on the plot... certainly put a smile on my face!
~

Looking forward to getting the first raised beds built as I have plants everywhere in the back garden waiting to go down the plot...

Plant list so far:

• Cherry Tree x 2
• Raspberry x 3
• Redcurrent x 1
• Blackcurrent x 1
• Red Gooseberry x 1
• Strawberry x 10
• Tomato x6
• Pumpkin x 2
• Rhubarb x 2
• Chilli (Jalapeno) x 2
• Sunflowers (Giant)
• Sweet Peas (Mixed Colours)

P.R.A.A.

Attended the A.G.M. last night at the Town Wharf Pub, nice to meet some more plot holders and listen to what issues were arising regarding the site. Also joined the Park Road Allotment Assosiation, which consists of various members from the site and was originally formed to try and do something about the vanalism.

A.G.M.

Off to the allotment AGM meeting tonight, it being held at one of our local pubs down by the river, so not only will I get to meet new people; find out what the society are planning/doing etc... but I can also have a drink and walk home!

The Old Shed...

The newly barked area... where the old shed used to be, now ready for a small table and chairs.

Busy, Busy...

I have been trying to spend as much time down the plot this week as possible, due to the amount of work we have to do and the fact that the afternoons have been so warm and sunny it's perfect for working on the plot.

On Monday & Tuesday there were lot's of people down the Allotment and I got to meet my neighbours both sides who I had a chat with and introduced myself, (Only problem is I cannot remember their names...) Also found out that the old rotting shed on the plot is mine as I wasn't initially sure who it belonged to as the plots don't really have any boundaries. Shed has now been pulled down and we are building an area for a table and chairs so we have somewhere to relax after a hard afternoon digging.

Forgot to take the camera down, so will get some pictures taken today!

Contract

The contract arrived in the post this morning along with all the details that I have been asking about... Read & signed the contract and put it straight back in the post!

Plot Deatils

Size: The plot is listed as being 5 Sq rods or thereabouts.

Price: Cost of plot is going to be £25.45 per year, which breaks down to £5.09 per square rod, payable yearly in advance on the first day of October.

First Day

Today, with the assistance of my father we started on the plot with the aim of clearing enough room ready to put a second-hand shed up and build one of the first raised planting beds.

After a hard day's graft, we have managed to clear quite a lot...

Arggghh!

Spoke to CIP again today regarding when I could collect a key to the allotment... seems they don't currently have any! and are waiting for some to arrive. Arggghh

Very eager to get started and i'm off all day tommorow (Thursday) with someone available to help me start clearing some of the rubbish and brambles, just have to keep my fingers crossed that someone is not working and down on their plot so we can gain access.

Balls Rolling

I rang the Council/CIP on Monday to make arrangements for the contract to be sent out and give them my payment details for the rent etc... Spoke to a lady who wasn't really sure how to go about letting plot 31A as it was marked as "un-lettable" on their system, so was told she would have to look in to things and call me back the following day when her boss was in.

Got the called back on Tuesday afternoon and was told yes it was fine for me to take the plot and that the contract would be put in the post! YAY.. "It's actualy happening"

Rubbish Tip?

A couple more pictures of the allotment plot that could easily be mistaken for the site rubbish tip in it's present state! (Actually thinking about it... that is probably what it was to some people, jugding by the stuff I'm finding)

So far I have come across - Ton's of used carpet, plastic bottles, news papers, glass, rocks, bricks, plastic bags and various other household waste nicely mixed in amongst the brambles and nettles.

Starting Out

I have been thinking about getting an allotment and after posting a message on the 'Allotments For All' web forum regarding the long waiting list's with Hounslow council for a plot, I was informed that there were some half plots available at Park Road, Isleworth.
Popped down to the site on Saturday morning to meet one of the allotmenters, who kindly showed me the two vacant 1/2 plots available... after looking at the plot's I had an idea of which one I prefered and said that I was definitely interested in taking on the plot numbered 31A.

Now comes the hard the bit - Clearing and preparing the plot so I can get on with some growing!

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