Higher Raleigh Allotments - Higher Raleigh Road (near Hospital) Barnstaple
Here is some basic information just to get you started. If you are new to gardening it can be quite daunting, but please don't struggle on, your site Representative as well as others on the allotment site will be only too happy to help you, just ask!
Aspect
This is a warm site on a south facing slope (crops can be started early in the year), There is some exposure to salt air from the estuary and south west winds. The site is exposed so ensure your sheds are secure. Fences, cloches, cold frames and loose plastic will disapear unless secured.
Soil
The soil is fertile but very shallow, especially near the top, with underlying shillet.
The soil dries out during dry periods so add organic matter in the form of garden compost, manure, leaf mould or spent mushroom compost. This helps the soil retain moisture. Consider using a mulch. Demand for water is high so store your own using water butts. There are only 3 taps and these are not within easy reach of all plots.
Sowing and planting is best done early in the year so crops become established before any periods of drought. The bottom plots do have a problem with drainage during periods of wet weather.
Consider how you work the soil as the slope encourages soil to creep to the bottom, decreasing soil depth at the top of the plot.
pH
Vegetables ideally grow in a soil with a pH of 6.5. Brassicas pefer a slightly higher pH and potatoes slightly less. Our soils over time natually become more acidic and have a lower pH. It is a good idea to test your soil in at least 3 different parts of the plot. The addition of lime will raise the pH, this gives some protection from pests and diseases, adds calcium and makes other nutrients available to plants.
Beware not all plants like lime so ideally do just one part of the plot each year. It is best to add this when the soil is bare. A lighter soil will need less lime than a heavy soil.
Weeds
Higher Raleigh has quite a few neglected plots which give rise to wind blown wee seeds such as dandelions
Adjoining weedy plots will attempt to invade neighbours. Look out for couch grass and convolvulus.
Pests
The hedges and neglected plots harbour slugs and snails. There are slow worms and some hedgehogs. Also some visiting ducks which have nested in previous years.
Pigeons will come and eat you brassicas.
Diseases
White onion rot is present on some plots. It is a soil born disease so be careful about taking free gifts from other plots, mud on your boots and dirty tools.