Sunnybank Allotments - Barbican Road 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 generally a warm site on a slight south facing slope It is fairly sheltered but it will catch the prevailing winds from the South West so secure your plastic and cold fames.
This is a nice site. You are lucky, you even have vehicular access. Like all the Barnstaple sites some plots have been neglected for years, even after so called clearing they are still going to be difficult to work. If you have a choice of plots look carefully at the weeds and nature of the soil as some weeds will not disappear, even after weed killer.
Some plot holders have been there for years so they will be able to give you some valuable inside information. We all want you to succeed and become keen gardeners like us. Here is some basic information to get you started.
Soil
The soil is clayish and varies according to the amount it has been worked and how much organic material has been added over the years. It is of reasonable depth (about 2 spits deep) Drainage is a problem in places and this is going to make the clay soil difficult to work
There seems to be a natural spring at the bottom of the site near the main gate which makes these plots particulaly wet. Drainage channels either side of your plot could be helpful. In dry summers you will have wonderful runner beans. There is another problem area near the top of the site which could be a blocked land drain.
pH
It is a good idea to test your soil in at least 3 different parts of the plot. Brassicas seem to grow well and a quick test with a pH meter indicated 6.9 but this might not be true of your plot. A pH of 6.5 is ideal for most vegetables but brassicas like it to be slightly higher.
Adding lime will raise your pH and give some protection from some pests and diseases, but this is not necessary if you already have a pH of 6.9. Mushroom compost will also help to make the soil more alkaline. Adding compost and or manure will over time make the soil more acid. A clay soil tends to keep its pH, so you only need to do an initial test. A little lime added as part of a 3 or 4 year rotation will help you grow bwtter brassicas and help protect against club root.
Water
There are only 3 taps so don't connect your sprinkler and go away. Water pressure is very bad if someone is using the bottom tap. Have a water butt or 2 to save your own.
Weeds
There should be less wind blown seeds from dandelions this year. If you can't get on top of the weeds just concentrate on a small area and cover the rest up with black plastic. (See Assessing your plot)
Lots of plots have couch grass. Neglected plots will have lots of it and it does tend to creep in from adjoining paths. Convolvulus isn't a major problem unless you have aplot which has been neglected for years, or you adjoin such a plot ot hedge. Hairy Bittercress is very common. Don't let it go to seed.
Pests
Clay soils have tiny black slugs that live in the ground. Other slugs hide away under stones and bits of wood. There are a few frogs, slow worms and hedgehogs but they won't make that much of an impact on the slug population.
Pigeons will eat your brassicas and they love gooseberries. Squirrels will eat sweetcorn and strawberries, so don't encourage them.
Vandals especially during school holidays. Don't tackle them unless you are big and a good runner. If you have a mobile phone ring the police. Learn their names so we can identify them. The presence of more people on the site will naturally discourage these unwanted visitors.
Diseases
Clubroot on some plots. White onion rot.
Both the above will enter your plot on soil, so be careful as you don't want either.