• Waiting list problems

The field stewards and committee work hard to reduce any waiting lists and keep our fields fully let and fully worked. In 2008 we obtained a new piece of land from Kettering Borough Council to extend the Silver Acre (Scott Road) field. This added 20 more plots and cleared our waiting list. It was very hard work applying for grants to clear the land, getting it ploughed and measured out and organising rotovating of the soil.

One way we have kept waiting lists short is by dividing plots in half for new members. This has been very successful, as many new members found a full 10-pole plot too much. Creating two 5-pole plots gets two people off the waiting list when a plot becomes available.

At other times, the only way to reduce the waiting list is to remove an existing tenant. This is done with due process, following our  rules. Occasionally a member/tenant informs us when he/she can longer continue, but often it is the field stewards who notice that a plot has become neglected. Enquiries have to be made (sometimes the tenant is ill, or another genuine reason) and opportunities are given for the tenant to clear the plot of weeds and cultivate the land according to the rules. This usually takes a few weeks or months.

• Weeds

With a new allotment that has been previously overgrown, weeds can be the worst problem. Strimming or using a petrol mower on overgrown areas often helps. A very overgrown plot may take months to clear, and the weeds will quickly re-establish if you leave the ground untended for a few weeks. In the Spring and Summer, visit your plot regularly, at least twice a week, and hoe as often as possible. If your plot was previously overgrown or very weedy, space your crops out more widely to give you room to hoe or mulch very thoroughly. Try the kitchen gardens email list for specific problems. Sometimes you can smother the weeds with black plastic or similar mulch. If there is space around your crops you can place whole newspapers on the ground and cover with straw, grass clippings or similar mulch.  Other techniques include digging and hoeing the weeds or using herbicides such as glyphosate. Always follow the instructions carefully if you use any horticultural chemicals.

• Vandalism and theft

Security is never perfect on a field. Always report any such incidents to the Police. Telephone 08453 700 700 or use their website www.northants.police.uk  Obtain a crime number. This helps the Police monitor and hopefully prevent further crimes. Avoid leaving valuable tools in sheds. Sometimes a shed is best left unlocked, as a vandal or thief may do a lot damage breaking in and find nothing valuable to steal.

• Water

The typical British summer is usually wet enough for vegetables. Dry spells can cause anxiety in gardeners, who may wish to water their crops. Before you rush out with your watering can remember these points:-

1. A bucket full of mulch does more good than 10 buckets of water. Use whatever you can around the crops. Newspaper and grass clippings are ideal, or straw, wood shavings, composted weeds etc etc, In time all of these will also rot down to improve the soil and encourage worms, so don't water - mulch.
2. Water is the greatest expense of our society, so the more water that is used the higher the rent will be. Using a hosepipe to irrigate an allotment is banned in our society rules. (see rules No 12) 
3. Collect rainwater from your shed roof in barrels or tubs if you can. We have negotiated a supply of free water buts, ask the secretary for details.
4. If you must water, get the water down at the roots. You will do more harm than good sprinkling the leaves. Use a funnel or pipe buried into the soil to direct the water straight to the roots. This can made from a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off.
   

• Other issues

If you have other problems or issues, the management committee meets regularly. You can write to the secretary and raise your issue. We particularly welcome suggestions and ideas.

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