Your first jobs
Rubbish clearance
If you take over in winter there’s likely to be dead vegetation, odd bits of wood and material to prune from fruit canes.
No Bonfires
Bonfires are no longer allowed at allotments within Richmond Borough.
Do any pruning that’s needed — we can advise on pruning fruit canes, bushes and trees, and prunings can be made into dry hedges, which is good for wildlife. Other waste such as plastic or bricks should be recycled (bricks and metal poles are handy for holding down tarpaulins) or taken to the council bin or tip.
Rubbish Bin
The rubbish bin by the entrance gate is only for non-compostable rubbish. Weeds should be composted on your plot or taken to the local tip.
Composting
If you’re lucky you’ll inherit a compost bin; if not, you can make one from wooden pallets or use a plastic bin. The RHS advise placing it in a shady but accessible spot. Whatever type, a bin should keep out rain, allow drainage and airflow, and keep the contents warm.
The ideal mix is 50% green waste and 50% brown waste (though 25% green to 75% brown also works):
- Green waste: soft, leafy material — grass clippings, sappy green plants (like annual weeds), crop waste, old fruit and veg
- Brown waste: dry woody waste — prunings and hedge-trimmings (shredded or chopped), dead stems, straw, and torn-up paper or cardboard. The trick is to break everything into small pieces.
Mix a blend every time you add to the bin, and turn the contents several times a year (fork it over, or empty and reload). In 6–24 months you’ll have compost for your plot — saving money and bringing more biodiversity to your allotment. If you’re struggling, just ask for help.
