h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It is fabulous to hear that the National Trust in UK is handing over land for allotments. Even better is that there is a waiting list of over 100,000 people for allotments. And sales of vegetable seeds have overtaken those of flowers.



Well done Britain

I'm reminded of the Two Ronnies Spoonerisms sketch:

'You know, it warms the hartles of my... cockles of my heart.'

Well, a would seem... improper.

Well done NT

YAY! I didn't know thatFb

How large are allotments? I'm wondering how much a person can grow on one.

DEar Hypatia,

I had a quick locck for the UK. but there coes not seem to be any regular size. |I think it depends on wher one lives. some town have large gardens, and not many flats. and the reverse is also true. I have not yet found the area whyere the allotments are here where I live, but then there are an amazing amount of market gardeners in the area.
where I used to live there was a small area devoted to allotments - which were very difficult to get hold of - but the gardens in general were big enough to hve a veggie garden unless one lived in a flat. !

Have you had any snow. ?

With affection

Christiane
AR80

Hi Christiane,

We have only had one snow this winter so far that amounted to anything. And only one ice storm. Today is it beautiful and sunny and around 50ºF/10ºC. But it is still early enough in the year to have winter storms.

So there isn't any set size for allotments. I suppose that makes sense. Each community would need to use whatever area is available. I think the idea of allotments for urban dwellers is brilliant. There isn't anything like that where I live, but then it's the same as you mentioned. Most people have large enough gardens to raise flowers and vegetables if they choose. Most folks just grow grass, it seems. What a waste of space.

Thanks for the information.

Hyp

Hyp,

I found this:

<>

I would think that is about right, though some are being split on two where plot holders can't quite manage the bigger size, or where there is a big waiting list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frenchbean, thanks for putting this up. I heard it mentioned on the radio but hadn't followed it up.

Websailor

I could have sworn I'd replied to this earlier.

That is a larger area than I expected, Websailor. It is certainly large enough to grow a good variety of vegetables. I assume that most people use them for vegetables. It's so great that people have the chance to do that even when they live in apartments or houses without garden space. I think it's a great system. And if the waiting lists are that large it must be very popular.

Hyp, the interest is increasing greatly for all the reasons Frenchbean pointed out. They can grow whatever they like, veg, fruit, salad, flowers, herbs. Some are allowed to have bee hives and others have chickens for eggs.

The history of allotments goes back a long way: http://www.allotment.org.uk/articles/Allotment-History.php

Websailor

That is an interesting article. Thank you, Websailor.

They mentioned guinea gardens outside Birmingham. Were they calling them that because they were used by Italian immigrants? Or did it have something to do with guinea fowl?

Hi, Hyp,

The guinea was a gold coin (apparently made from gold from Guinea, Africa). Currency for a long time it was eventually fixed in value at 21 shillings (or £1.1s.0d in our old currency) in 1717! It was a nice handy amount and a fair bit of money at that time. I live in Birmingham, I have a vague recollection of there being at least one guinea garden being preserved somewhere. I must find out some time.

The history of our coinage is complicated and a simplified version is here;

http://www.tclayton.demon.co.uk/sov.html

It's amazing where conversations go isn't it and how much we can learn just by chatting. One of the joys of hoo too I think.

Websailor

I am delighted to say that my memory is in better shape than I thought so here it is:

http://www.edgbastonguineagardens.org.uk/id1.html

Now I will go back and read, and see how much I can remember!

Websailor

A241949

So they were guinea gardens because they cost a guinea to lease. That makes perfect sense.

I do learn a lot on h2g2. The problem is that I show my ignorance so often in the process.

Not ignorance Hyp, just a gap in your knowledge, there is a difference

Thanks Fb

Websailor

All of you are always kind enough to indulge me and my questions. I'm very appreciative of that.

Old English money: A506350

Dear Hypatia.

Thank goodness for the brain boxes on hootoo!! I am glad that Websailor has found out the exact measurements of the allotment.
They certainly do look as if they would make a nice-size veggie garden. I must admit that I always watch the TV programmes which feature them. I have a pot of parsley on my balcony and some quite magnificent hyacinths and daffies. !!

Oh well, I shall now go off to bed.

I am off to London tomorrow to see my wonderful cardiologist. I have not been for a year, so this will be a sort of trial run for later i.e. the 9th of May - unless you come to the coast for the day. !!1



with much affection

Christiane.

Gb,
It really is worth digging in to old entries isn't it? I really must remember to look here first in future *slaps wrist*

Websailor