bindweed is a weed

We were in trouble with the allotment again last month.

Re: Plot 30 Oliver Road
18.6.10

Dear Lyndsay and Ralph,

We inspected on Wednesday 16.6.10. I attach two photographs. You have had the tenancy for this plot for 6 months now and not enough has been achieved. I do not think that either of you realise the commitment necessary to work an allotment. We extended your probationary period because of the difficult weather over the winter months.
4. To maintain all plots occupied by the tenant in a clean, well-manured, three-quarters cultivated and weed free state using techniques which do not cause long term environmental damage and display the plot number clearly.

The common paths alongside your plot are in a dangerous state and must be dealt with ASAP.
6. To maintain any path or roadway, set out by the Council for use of occupiers, free from obstruction and encroachment and at the widths set by the Council, a minimum of 600mm.

A few days of consistent work from both of you would see the plot dug over, roots and weeds cleared.
Obviously circumstances have not allowed you to work an allotment and it remains in an unacceptable state.

If at the time of the July inspection the plot remains unkempt we will address the issue through a Notice to Quit. This is our final warning.


Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Jos El Zahar
Secretary to Leyton Allotment Society  

The strawberry patch that you so proudly photographed has been allowed to revert to jungle conditions again.  


There were some photos in there too but they didn't copy across. The picture at the top is a lovely one I took whilst sheltering from the sun, laying down.

We were not so much sad and shocked this time as cross. I think mostly due to the 'find an angle to take a photo where all you can see is grass and none of the plants are in frame' business going on. So here goes...

Dear Jos,

Once again we are saddened to have received an e-mail stating your dissatisfaction at at the way we are managing our plot.

Please could you clarify which plants are not allowed on the plot, for example which are seen as problem weeds (other than the bind weed and potentilla which we are working to control)? Is there a cutting height for grass that we are meant to adhere to? We particularly ask this as we were looking to incorporate some of the existing grass into our growing scheme.

We were unaware of the specific 600mm regulation required for the adjoining path, we will check this measurement on our next visit and ensure that, for our section of the path, this distance is kept clear. We are obviously making an assumption that it is the wild grass that you refer to, or is the "dangerous state" in reference to another issue we are unaware of?


You e-mail is disparaging and hostile, particularly the un-clarified use of quotes from the Allotment tenancy rules and conditions and the closing remark,
    "The strawberry patch that you so proudly photographed has been allowed to revert to jungle conditions again."

We do not feel that this tone is either warranted or appropriate.


We are clearly cultivating crops and managing areas according to a plan for how we can develop the plot according to our own needs. This did not include a kind of "scorched earth policy" on removing all existing growth. Rather a development of areas, over time, to sustain a healthy growing environment that supplies not only food and flowers but is able to support a wider usage of plant material, both cultivated and wild, as well as encouraging an ecosystem that is of value to plants, wildlife and us as users.

If certain plants are againts allotment rules we will be happy to remove them, but can see no mention of specifics.

If you could please clarify the points raised so we are able to make any adjustments before your next inspection?

Regards,

Lyndsay Officer and Ralph Dorey

Hi Lyndsay and Ralph

Thank you for your rapid response.  Please come into the Trading Shed on a Sunday morning between 10 and 12 and when we can show you examples of plots which you should be emulating.  

Grass is a weed unless kept at lawn level.  Bindweed is a weed.  Potentilla is a shrub with a yellow flower and just needs digging out.

If you cannot eat it or it a recognisable flower in a flower bed it it is a weed.

Paths are dangerous when users cannot see the edge clearly and long grass or weeds restrict progress.  All paths should be kept at a minimum of 600mm or 2 ft in order to allow access for a gurney used by ambulance staff.  Please read your Tenancy Agreement rules.  Society rules are in Flickr Leyton Allotment Society Group and advice is available at the shed or via a member of the committee.

You are not keeping an allotment plot as expected - again I quote from your Tenancy Rules 4. To maintain all plots occupied by the tenant in a clean, well-manured, three-quarters cultivated and weed free state using techniques which do not cause long term environmental damage and display the plot number clearly.

Your plot needs to be dug through at least a spade deep - I would double dig it, removing all roots and rubbish incorporating any compost that you may have to hand.  Then plant. Then maintain a clean plot.  In six months there is little evidence of a plan, little evidence of clearance, planting and maintenance.

Walk around the site, you can see plenty of good clean plots.  You have good examples around your own plot.  We all manage plots in different ways but cleanliness and good growing techniques are common to all gardeners and there is so much advice available that there is no excuse.  It is essential that any plant does not invade neighbouring plots.  

You are welcome to join an inspection to try and understand the standards set. I am sorry that you find my email disparaging and hostile.  I do not have time to pussyfoot around and try to make my letters to the point and therefore clear.  We were very disappointed that new plot holders had not made significant inroads into clearing and cultivating a plot within a considerable time span.  If newcomers do not have the commitment and enthusiasm to tackle the work it does not look good for the future when the novelty has worn off.

I could go on.  I hope this helps.

Jos El Zahar

Secretary to Leyton Allotment Society

Dear Jos

Thank you for clarifying the rules regarding grass and weeds. Are the rules on your Flickr page the same as those on the Waltham Forest Website? Thank you for your offer of showing us example plots however tomorrow is not one of our days for coming down this week. If you have any specific questions we would be happy to clarify our thoughts on the management of our plot.

Please could you advise us on the dates for the next inspections?

Kind Regards
Ralph Dorey and Lyndsay Officer

All sites are inspected monthly - roughly - not to the date.

I have attached the Tenancy Rules and the constitution of the Society which includes the rules laid done by the membership.  The rules of the Society are subject to change following decisions reached at the AGM.  The Tenancy Rules have recently been updated - I do not know what is held on the LBWF website. 

Jos El Zahar

Secretary to Leyton Allotment Society

I'm not sure I really need to say too much about the responses given.

Although the allotment rules have very few mentions of specifics it seems in practice there is a very narrow view of how the plots are to be managed. I mostly think though that this is bullying with the aim to push out those who have been judged as not taking it seriously. The problem with this tactic is that it is unable to distinguish between those who are unable, un-motivated or oblivious and those who have a different idea of how plants can be grown. The other problem is that it's just rude. Not once have we been asked what we might be aiming for or if there is anything we would like help with.

We are told we can be shown plots that we should be emulating.

Anyway, the plot is great, we have had some courgettes.