PLOT MARKING SHEET Allotment Site

PLOT MARKING SHEET…Allotment Site…………………………………………………..

Category 1- Condition of Plot

Plot should be well stocked with a variety of food produce and any unplanted areas should be weed free in lieu of planting. The soil should be of a good and well cultivated condition with any adjoining pathways, hedges and fences, well maintained.

Category 2 - Workmanship

Paths on plot should be neat and well maintained. Care should be taken to keep any paved areas and structures safe, clean, and tidy, and good housekeeping shall be practiced.

Category 3 - Crops

All plants should be healthy, sturdy and free from damage, making allowances for weather conditions and pest control. Crop rotation should be practiced and a good range of vegetable crops should be growing and also some fruit, flowers to encourage pollination, soft fruit and herbs. Canes or supports for plants should be properly positioned and sturdy. Crop succession will be awarded extra points, as will all year round cultivation.

Category 4 - Layout and Planning

Intelligent planning of the plot and a pleasing visual effect will be looked for. Cultivation of less common crops and alternative methods of cultivation will be given credit. Intelligent management of difficult soil conditions, exposed sites and shaded locations will be taken into account. At least 75% of the plot should be cultivated to achieve maximum points.

CATEGORY 5 – Environmental friendly practice & biodiversity

With consideration for site management policy, credit will be given for environmental friendly practices and the promotion of biodiversity such as the use of green manures, composting, water butts, mulching, beekeeping, hens etc.

Comments

Judges Signature

ALLOTMENT SITE MARKING SHEET…Allotment site………………………………………….

1 Site Security 2 Site Communications 3 Pathways and Communal Areas4 General Plot Standards

Category 1 –Site Security

Are locks and gates satisfactory? Are coded keys or combination locks used? Is perimeter fencing satisfactory?

Category 2 - Site Communications

Is there a notice board(s)? Does the site have a Constitution? How often and where does the management committee meet? When was the last AGM held? Are minutes of meetings available to plot holders?Is there a store/shop? Does the site issue newsletters?

Category 3 –Pathways and communal areas

Pathways:

Are all paths to be considered safe even in wet weather conditions? Points may be reduced for barbed wire, tree stumps and roots, broken fences.Points may be awarded for weed control and other pathway management.

Does the site have a communal area(s) for plot holders? If so are they in full use and well maintained?

Are any plots rented to community groups? If so are they in full use and well maintained?

Category 4 – General plot standards

After judging a competition plot, take a look around and assess neighbouring plots to gain an impression of general cultivation and plot maintenance standards. How do they compare with the competition plots?

Comments

Judges Signature

Crop succession

In agriculture, succession planting refers to several planting methods that increase crop availability during a growing season by making efficient use of space and timing.

There are four basic approaches that can also be combined:

1Two or more crops in succession: After one crop is harvested, another is planted in the same space. The length of the growing season, climate, and crop selection are key factors. For example, a cool season spring crop could be followed by a heat-loving summer crop.

2Same crop, successive plantings: Several smaller plantings are made at timed intervals, rather than all at once. The plants mature at staggered dates, establishing a continuous harvest over an extended period. Lettuce and other salad greens are common crops for this approach.

3Two or more crops simultaneously: Non-competing crops, often with different maturity dates, are planted together in various patterns. Intercropping is one pattern approach; companion planting is a related, complementary practice.

4Same crop, different maturity dates: Several varieties are selected, with different maturity dates: early, main season, late. Planted at the same time, the varieties mature one after the other over the season.

Crop succession - what to look for on an allotment:

1The same type of plant at various stages of development that indicate thoughtful planting to avoid glut and provide fresh produce at different times, e.g. beetroot, lettuce.

2Non competing crops, i.e. catch crops, e.g. lettuce or radish amongst slower growing crops such as parsnips.

3E.g. planting of at least 2 types of potatoes/peas, early and maincrop.

All year round cultivation

The planting of food produce in order to harvest other than summer and autumn, e.g. savoy cabbages, sprouts, parsnips, spring cabbage (July may be considered early for this), spring broccoli (purple sprouting).