Our Site

The Sugden Road allotment site is located on what is believed to be the floodplain of an old river. As a result the soil is silty, free-draining with a neutral pH. This has both advantages and disadvantages.....

 

Advantages...
Being free draining the soil does not easily get waterlogged, there are plenty of nutrients present so it is highly fertile and productive; great for vegetable growing!

 

Disadvantages...
As a result of the free-draining nature of the site it can be necessary to water during dry spells. This can be minimised by incorporating organic matter into the soil on a regular basis and by mulching to reduce moisture loss.

​

Weeds!

A weed is only a plant that is growing in the wrong place. However, as we want to grow plants that we can eat (in general) we have to do battle with some unwanted guests. As with all ground under cultivation there will always be a background level of "weed seeds" however we try to keep them to a minimum by regular hoeing and without unnecessary use of chemicals.

​

And a couple of unwanted 'squatters'...

​Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) - A nasty invader which requires continual weeding to eradicate. The only realistic way to remove Bindweed is to dig out the roots and burn them. Do not compost them.

​

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) - This one is really persistent and eradicating it is virtually impossible. The roots are black and break very easily with each piece capable of producing a new plant. It requires a commitment to keep it under control using a variety of techniques including spraying, hoeing and digging out the roots, which should be burned.