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Corsendonk · 01-04-2011, 10:29

Well its that time of year again so thought I would start this thread. Has anyone got an allotment in NCD? Whats your experience? Is Private or Public the best in the area? What services do you get for your investment? Do you produce much food from your allotment?

Some links for Allotments in the area.
http://sustainableskerries.wordpress.com/
http://www.turveyallotments.com/

Fortunately I don't need one myself but I am interested by the concept of growing your own but more importantly its good exercise.

LeoB · 01-04-2011, 15:34

How much does an allotment cost? Is it an annual rate or can you get them for 4 or 5 years.

Aine Lawlor of Morning Ireland fame was on John Murray show the other morning talking about her allotment and she said she didnt buy any Veg for about 6 months so apart from the exercise is would save you money on your grocery bill

I see allotments are now available in Baldungan just down from castle.

Eoineo · 02-04-2011, 08:34

Well it's our first year with an allotment. Up until now we'd been helping family members out with their garden & reaping the benefits.

There are no public allotments in the Balbriggan area. When you are choosing an allotment (similar to a gym membership) it's a good idea to ensure that it's close enough to your home that it becomes an easy habit to drop in often. We chose a private allotment close to Naul village as it's also close to family members.

To keep costs and labour down we have a double size which we co-op with 2 other families. We also share a greenhouse, polytunnel and more land in their garden for growing purposes. With the co-op each family brings their own unique skills to the allotment, for us I'm the preserver & jam maker then my hubby is the brute force and greenfingered one. It also means that we can rota the times the allotment is attended to if work gets in the way.

We are growing a wide range of veg, fruit and herbs. We aren't growing potatoes and we're planting minimal brassicas. It's not that we don't like them. We just have a local farmer that we get them from directly so it doesn't make sense to put our efforts into growing items that we can get straight from the ground elsewhere.

Our biggest cost so far has been the rent on the allotment. Traditionally they are rented on an annual basis. I can't tell you exactly how much they cost because we've a double plot and negotiated a price on that. I can tell you that talking to other holders that prices range from €250-€500 for the year depending on the private company. Our allotment is rotivated and manured for us, we have access to water on site, parking and if we pay extra we can have it rotivated and manured more than once. Our seeds have cost approximately €80 but remember this is for 3 families and includes onion sets.

If we go well we won't need to buy any fruit or veg for about 6 months. Then if we're well organised enough and blanch then freeze any gluts we might have, or dry, overwinter in sand other veg then we should last well up to Christmas. That will be a significant saving for us anyway.

Our biggest problem at the moment is stopping the toddler from pulling up the new shoots!

Hauk · 02-04-2011, 14:52

First year with an allotment too. It's in Skerries. It just got started this year, and before that, the field was used to grow cabbages and stuff by one of the local farmers.

For a lease on a 10m x 10m patch, it cost me €100 for the year. It's only just kicking off at the minute because it's only the first year the allotments are there. So far I've just been getting stuff ready at home by growing from seed etc.

The plot itself got ploughed by the council on Tues, so with the days getting longer I'll be able to get in and get stuff done after work in the evenings.

Any other questions let me know.

Corsendonk · 02-04-2011, 18:13

Sounds like the competition in the local horticultural shows this year is going to be pretty tough

LeoB · 03-04-2011, 00:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corsendonk

Sounds like the competition in the local horticultural shows this year is going to be pretty tough

If I see one of you crowd nibbling at my ~~weed~~ Roses there will be war....

I am not big in to gardening or growing veg anymore but it is great to see people getting involved. Hope you all get a good harvest.

Why not pop up a few photos as ye go and update this thread with the jobs you are doing, digging, weeding, thinning out or spraying.

LeoB · 03-04-2011, 00:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hauk

For a lease on a 10m x 10m patch, it cost me €100 for the year. It's only just kicking off at the minute because it's only the first year the allotments are there. So far I've just been getting stuff ready at home by growing from seed etc.

Any other questions let me know.

Looks like you got a good deal there. I saw a sign today and I think it said Have your own allotment €1.40 a day which is €511 a year. That might be a little off putting for some.

Surely F.C.C would have some ground they could give at very discounted rates to encourage people. And just to develop it a little further would it be possible for schools to have allotments for say 5th and 6th class. It would be a very practical addition to the school ciriculum

Rashers72 · 03-04-2011, 12:17

St Patricks Senior National school in Skerries already have allotments around Loughshinney somewhere, and the kids visit there every month or so. I am not sure what years are included.
I also think the land was left to them by a private benefactor, and is not connected to FCC.

Eoineo · 03-04-2011, 13:58

I think Hauk is using a council organised allotment? If it's the one I'm thinking of it was only handed to the community in the past year. It's great value, but in saying that a single patch in our area is bigger than 10 x 10.

There are no council allotments in our area. It's a pity as there is plenty of space going to waste, literally. €511 per annum is very expensive for a single allotment size. I'm still astounded by the number of fallow allotments in our group - where people have paid the rent and not worked the land.

One of the projects we would love to do in our area is to set up a community food garden where people can share their expertise. One for the future maybe anyway.

Don't forget there are GIY groups all over NCD if you're interested in growing from plot to plate. I've not been to one yet myself but I hear they are a fantastic support and knowledge base.

Hauk · 03-04-2011, 14:32

Yup, I'm using a FCC allotment. 10m x 10m is more than enough for what I want to do. I think €500 for a plot per annum nearly defeats the purpose of growing your own. That's a fairly prohibitive cost.

It's great that they finally kicked this off. A lot of work has gone into it, and it's great to see it finally getting up and running.

Corsendonk · 03-04-2011, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eoineo

I think Hauk is using a council organised allotment? If it's the one I'm thinking of it was only handed to the community in the past year. It's great value, but in saying that a single patch in our area is bigger than 10 x 10.

There are no council allotments in our area. It's a pity as there is plenty of space going to waste, literally. €511 per annum is very expensive for a single allotment size. I'm still astounded by the number of fallow allotments in our group - where people have paid the rent and not worked the land.

One of the projects we would love to do in our area is to set up a community food garden where people can share their expertise. One for the future maybe anyway.

Don't forget there are GIY groups all over NCD if you're interested in growing from plot to plate. I've not been to one yet myself but I hear they are a fantastic support and knowledge base.

It seems to be like gym membership, people have good intentions but then suddenly other appointments restrict their time, then I suppose you get some allotment keepers that go to their plots everyday.

I find it really strange that Balbriggan doesn't have council allotments considering the political profile of the previous TD and his grow your own media campaign on Youtube.

Eoineo · 03-04-2011, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corsendonk

It seems to be like gym membership, people have good intentions but then suddenly other appointments restrict their time, then I suppose you get some allotment keepers that go to their plots everyday.

Saving money when you're on a tight budget & eating what we grow is a good incentive.

I'm also quite surprised at the lack of allotments if the truth be told. Many of our neighbours are renting outside of the town. I've already raised the lack with the Council and will continue to highlight it.

sirpsycho · 05-04-2011, 12:40

Unless you travel the backroad between Naul Road and Stamullen, you may not come across or hear of Gaia Allotments. There are about 30 plots. 6m x 20m in size and the annual rent is €220 (which includes as much rotted down horse manure that you can handle and local spring water available at each plot).

I have a plot there and find it very good. Run by a friendly local farmer.

Here's a link to it on google maps:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=5...274.11,,0,1.53

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.181789&z=13

Contact: 086-8980960. I think there are some plots still available for this year.

Eoineo · 04-05-2011, 15:16

It's been nearly a month since this thread was last posted on. I thought I'd get an update going seeing as the growing season is in full swing.

I think (fingers crossed) the allotment is finally fully planted. The lack of rain is a concern but hopefully that will be remedied over the next few days. I've a lovely rhubarb jelly setting on my counter today. It's a great way of sneaking new fruit into a toddler's diet.

While the allotment is great because I don't drive I'm not going to be able to pick & use our veg on demand. So the hubby converted our south facing front garden patch which is quite small into 2 raised beds over the weekend. The kitchen table & windowsills are designated for salad leaves and peppers - and we are growing some root veg, peas and spring onions in the front. We've also taken delivery of a large water butt which should come in handy all year around.

How is everyone else getting along?

Hauk · 05-05-2011, 10:30

Good to hear Eoineo!

Well, because I work 9-5, I don't really have time to spend up at the allotment. A lot of people have made a lot more progress than I have, but it's *slowly* getting there. I have one more section of chicken wire fence to put up, and then it's done. I planted about 8 rows of spuds on Saturday.

I've ordered a shed, and a tonne of compost to condition the soil(because it's really bad). I've loads of onions ready to go in, but one of the big things is time. There are lots of retired/semi-retired people working on theirs nearly all week and they've got everything growing! I'm lucky to get 5 hours.

01-04-2011, 10:29	#1
Corsendonk Closed Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,894 Adverts \| Friends	Allotments in NCD Well its that time of year again so thought I would start this thread. Has anyone got an allotment in NCD? Whats your experience? Is Private or Public the best in the area? What services do you get for your investment? Do you produce much food from your allotment? Some links for Allotments in the area. http://sustainableskerries.wordpress.com/ http://www.turveyallotments.com/ Fortunately I don't need one myself but I am interested by the concept of growing your own but more importantly its good exercise.

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01-04-2011, 15:34	#2
LeoB Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North County Dublin. Posts: 3,383 Adverts \| Friends	How much does an allotment cost? Is it an annual rate or can you get them for 4 or 5 years. Aine Lawlor of Morning Ireland fame was on John Murray show the other morning talking about her allotment and she said she didnt buy any Veg for about 6 months so apart from the exercise is would save you money on your grocery bill I see allotments are now available in Baldungan just down from castle.

02-04-2011, 08:34	#3
Eoineo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: N Dublin Posts: 955 Adverts \| Friends	Well it's our first year with an allotment. Up until now we'd been helping family members out with their garden & reaping the benefits. There are no public allotments in the Balbriggan area. When you are choosing an allotment (similar to a gym membership) it's a good idea to ensure that it's close enough to your home that it becomes an easy habit to drop in often. We chose a private allotment close to Naul village as it's also close to family members. To keep costs and labour down we have a double size which we co-op with 2 other families. We also share a greenhouse, polytunnel and more land in their garden for growing purposes. With the co-op each family brings their own unique skills to the allotment, for us I'm the preserver & jam maker then my hubby is the brute force and greenfingered one. It also means that we can rota the times the allotment is attended to if work gets in the way. We are growing a wide range of veg, fruit and herbs. We aren't growing potatoes and we're planting minimal brassicas. It's not that we don't like them. We just have a local farmer that we get them from directly so it doesn't make sense to put our efforts into growing items that we can get straight from the ground elsewhere. Our biggest cost so far has been the rent on the allotment. Traditionally they are rented on an annual basis. I can't tell you exactly how much they cost because we've a double plot and negotiated a price on that. I can tell you that talking to other holders that prices range from €250-€500 for the year depending on the private company. Our allotment is rotivated and manured for us, we have access to water on site, parking and if we pay extra we can have it rotivated and manured more than once. Our seeds have cost approximately €80 but remember this is for 3 families and includes onion sets. If we go well we won't need to buy any fruit or veg for about 6 months. Then if we're well organised enough and blanch then freeze any gluts we might have, or dry, overwinter in sand other veg then we should last well up to Christmas. That will be a significant saving for us anyway. Our biggest problem at the moment is stopping the toddler from pulling up the new shoots!

02-04-2011, 14:52	#4
Hauk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 576 Adverts \| Friends	First year with an allotment too. It's in Skerries. It just got started this year, and before that, the field was used to grow cabbages and stuff by one of the local farmers. For a lease on a 10m x 10m patch, it cost me €100 for the year. It's only just kicking off at the minute because it's only the first year the allotments are there. So far I've just been getting stuff ready at home by growing from seed etc. The plot itself got ploughed by the council on Tues, so with the days getting longer I'll be able to get in and get stuff done after work in the evenings. Any other questions let me know.

02-04-2011, 18:13	#5
Corsendonk Closed Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,894 Adverts \| Friends	Sounds like the competition in the local horticultural shows this year is going to be pretty tough

03-04-2011, 12:17	#8
Rashers72 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 558 Adverts \| Friends	St Patricks Senior National school in Skerries already have allotments around Loughshinney somewhere, and the kids visit there every month or so. I am not sure what years are included. I also think the land was left to them by a private benefactor, and is not connected to FCC.

03-04-2011, 13:58	#9
Eoineo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: N Dublin Posts: 955 Adverts \| Friends	I think Hauk is using a council organised allotment? If it's the one I'm thinking of it was only handed to the community in the past year. It's great value, but in saying that a single patch in our area is bigger than 10 x 10. There are no council allotments in our area. It's a pity as there is plenty of space going to waste, literally. €511 per annum is very expensive for a single allotment size. I'm still astounded by the number of fallow allotments in our group - where people have paid the rent and not worked the land. One of the projects we would love to do in our area is to set up a community food garden where people can share their expertise. One for the future maybe anyway. Don't forget there are GIY groups all over NCD if you're interested in growing from plot to plate. I've not been to one yet myself but I hear they are a fantastic support and knowledge base.

03-04-2011, 14:32	#10
Hauk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 576 Adverts \| Friends	Yup, I'm using a FCC allotment. 10m x 10m is more than enough for what I want to do. I think €500 for a plot per annum nearly defeats the purpose of growing your own. That's a fairly prohibitive cost. It's great that they finally kicked this off. A lot of work has gone into it, and it's great to see it finally getting up and running.

05-04-2011, 12:40	#13
sirpsycho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: near the 'briggan Posts: 827 Adverts \| Friends	Unless you travel the backroad between Naul Road and Stamullen, you may not come across or hear of Gaia Allotments. There are about 30 plots. 6m x 20m in size and the annual rent is €220 (which includes as much rotted down horse manure that you can handle and local spring water available at each plot). I have a plot there and find it very good. Run by a friendly local farmer. Here's a link to it on google maps: http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=5...274.11,,0,1.53 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,0.181789&z=13 Contact: 086-8980960. I think there are some plots still available for this year.

04-05-2011, 15:16	#14
Eoineo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: N Dublin Posts: 955 Adverts \| Friends	It's been nearly a month since this thread was last posted on. I thought I'd get an update going seeing as the growing season is in full swing. I think (fingers crossed) the allotment is finally fully planted. The lack of rain is a concern but hopefully that will be remedied over the next few days. I've a lovely rhubarb jelly setting on my counter today. It's a great way of sneaking new fruit into a toddler's diet. While the allotment is great because I don't drive I'm not going to be able to pick & use our veg on demand. So the hubby converted our south facing front garden patch which is quite small into 2 raised beds over the weekend. The kitchen table & windowsills are designated for salad leaves and peppers - and we are growing some root veg, peas and spring onions in the front. We've also taken delivery of a large water butt which should come in handy all year around. How is everyone else getting along?

05-05-2011, 10:30	#15
Hauk Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 576 Adverts \| Friends	Good to hear Eoineo! Well, because I work 9-5, I don't really have time to spend up at the allotment. A lot of people have made a lot more progress than I have, but it's slowly getting there. I have one more section of chicken wire fence to put up, and then it's done. I planted about 8 rows of spuds on Saturday. I've ordered a shed, and a tonne of compost to condition the soil(because it's really bad). I've loads of onions ready to go in, but one of the big things is time. There are lots of retired/semi-retired people working on theirs nearly all week and they've got everything growing! I'm lucky to get 5 hours.