Our site secretaries Claire and Graham have just done another full inspection of the site. They report that
"Many plots are being well maintained, but we think that as many as a quarter of the plots on the site could be much more fully cultivated. We’re not thinking of badly neglected plots that have been taken on by new tenants in the past few months – many of these new tenants are doing a great job of bringing their gardens back to full cultivation. We’re thinking of full or half plots that are established, but could be much better gardened.
YACIO wants to raise the standard of cultivation on allotment sites across the city. We have particular concerns, which we shared with you in our recent e-mail, that there are still some allotment holders on the Scarcroft site who could be much more ambitious about the proportion of their plot that is actively cultivated. YACIO’s expectations of the standard of cultivation that we should regard as satisfactory are set out in the tenancy agreement: The allotment must be well maintained with the majority used for growing crops with weeds and other excessive vegetation kept in check.
We’re writing to you now as this is a good time to take a considered look at your plot. Are the beds large enough to be productive? Is too much of the plot given over to grass – apart from narrow paths for access and a small area for relaxation or for young children to play, most of the workable area of your garden should be actively cultivated. Is your plot bigger than you can look after?
If you want to downsize to a smaller plot if that is possible, or give up your allotment, please contact YACIO. If you recognise that your plot needs more time and work, but you’re keen to keep it and improve it, now is a good time to make plans and do the groundwork to make them a reality next spring. Our experience shows that it's usually far easier to work the soil on plots before Christmas than into the New Year.
We’ll be doing our first inspection next year a little earlier than usual, towards the end of March. We shall be asking YACIO at that time to send out letters to the tenants of any plots that are not being gardened to the standards that YACIO is setting."
Lost any keys?
Have any of you lost any keys on the site? Several sets of keys have been handed in over the past year to Scarcroft Allotments Association. If you think any of them might be yours, just pop in to the association shop and ask. The shop is open from 1.30 to 3.30 p.m. on Saturdays and 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon on Sundays."
