An allotment, is a plot of land which individuals or families rent at a location close to their home, where they can grow food or other plants. People often rent allotments if they do not have a garden or if their existing space does not meet their needs.
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What is the purpose of an allotment?
Allotments are plots of land given to local community members so they can grow their own fruit and vegetables. The tradition dates back hundreds of years, to when poorer people needed the land as their main source of food. Nowadays you rent an allotment from your local council or a private landlord.
How much is an allotment in Ireland?
Allotment plot sizes range range from 50m2 to 200m2, starting from just €200 per year.
What are the benefits of owning an allotment?
If managed properly, an allotment can produce enough food to supplement a family’s weekly shop, with fresh fruit and vegetables over the year. Allotment gardeners can choose to garden organically and avoid ingesting chemicals that are likely to be present on shop bought fruit and vegetables.
What are the disadvantages of having an allotment?
Allotments that have been used to grow fruit and vegetables for many years (some for over 60 years) will harbour many pests and diseases. As the land is never allowed to go fallow, pest populations can build-up and can be difficult to eradicate.
What are you allowed to do on an allotment?
Permissible activities
- keeping the plot free of weeds and keeping it in good condition;
- not to use the allotment for the purpose of any trade or business;
- not to cause any nuisance or annoyance to the occupiers of other allotments or obstruct any path used by the other occupiers of surrounding allotments;
Can you sleep on an allotment?
If access to the allotment site is by way of a padlocked gate, the tenant shall ensure that the gate is kept locked after entering and leaving the allotment site. b) Overnight sleeping on the allotment is strictly prohibited. clearly displayed in a prominent position at the front of the allotment plot.
Is it hard to keep an allotment?
Allotments can use up a lot of time, so require some planning. Go for a plot size suited to your needs – half a plot is adequate for most people and ideal for beginners. This might need eight hours’ work a week for inexperienced gardeners, but half that for experienced ones.
How often do you need to visit an allotment?
Challenge 3 – Time Management! Allotments need regular visits. It is recommended to visit at least twice a week to keep on top of the weeding and in hot weather you might need to water your crops every day.
Can you be self sufficient with an allotment?
People generally assume that allotments are all about self-sufficiency, ‘the good life’, producing all the vegetables and maybe fruit that you possibly need. And yes of course you can do all of that. You can grow flowers too.
How many hours a week do you keep an allotment?
Q: How much time should I spend each week on my allotment? A: This is down to you, but you’ll probably find that once you start planting things, you will need a minimum of four or five hours a week to keep things ticking over in terms of weed and pest control, planting and picking the produce.
Can I sell things from my allotment?
Usually proceeds go to the allotment association, so they are not regarded as a form of “business”. So, while there is some room for interpretation, legally allotment gardeners can trade a surplus (off site), and councils or associations can let vacant plots to market gardeners.
What is the first thing to do on an allotment?
Clear your plot one section at a time, then you can start planting in the first cleared area sooner. This will give you a good variety of tasks each time you visit your allotment. Dig the soil twice to catch all weed roots, bring air into the ground and aid better drainage. Apply a layer of compost before planting.
Can I BBQ in allotment?
You are not permitted to erect any other type of building or structure on the allotment site. You may have a barbeque on your plot for your immediate family, provided that you consider your neighbours and do not spoil their enjoyment of their plot.
What are the two types of allotments?
There are two types of allotments: discretionary and non-discretionary. You can have up to six discretionary allotments per month, and any number of non-discretionary allotments, as long as the total allotments per month is 15 or less. Your allotment is evenly divided between your semimonthly paychecks.
Can animals be kept on an allotment?
Animals must not be kept on allotments, or anywhere else, unless their welfare needs can be provided for (as set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006). Allotments and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Do allotments have toilets?
A plot holder may not, under any circumstance, install a toilet on an allotment plot. It is a health hazard and a nuisance. The council does not install conventional toilets on allotments.
Do allotments have power?
Most allotment sites don’t have mains power connected but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have some electricity on site.
Does an allotment save you money?
The short answer is an unequivocal “no”, at least in the first year or two, unless the plot holder wants to do every job by hand and forego all the labour saving tools and equipment that make working a plot an enjoyable experience. That is the bad news over with.
Can you put a caravan on an allotment?
8.16. 1. Unless designated parking is available on a site., plot holders or their visitors must not bring or place any vehicle, caravan, trailer or vehicle parts onto the allotment site, apart from deliveries.
Can you live in a shed in an allotment?
They are shelters from the elements and spaces in which to keep your tools – but this doesn’t mean you can’t make them homely and welcoming. Many allotment societies hold ‘Best Shed’ competitions and often you’ll find them doubling up as canteens as everyone congregates for an afternoon cuppa!