Cultivation 
We are often asked what constitutes acceptable degrees of cultivation that do not
trigger an adverse report from Site Inspectors.
Your Tenancy Agreement, Schedule 2, para 3 requires that the plot as a whole be
kept clear of weeds and, “As a yardstick, at least 2/3rds should be under
cultivation” (NB. if you were on a Council plot it would be 3/4). If you have
just taken over a plot in poor condition, the inspection team would accept that
it is unreasonable to expect that standard of cultivation until your first full
year had elapsed. However, a plot taken over in the spring should have at least
half under cultivation by the autumn. As we now only let half plots, this should
not be too onerous a task for anyone of serious intent. Remember - your Site Rep
probably told you that you should not take on an allotment unless you were able
to devote at least 10 hours a week during the growing season to the task! Paths
along and across plots count as uncultivated areas. If you are at the back of a
large plot, do not forget to clear right up to the fence/hedge as this all
counts as part of your plot.
As for ‘cultivation’ – this is digging and planting / sowing! Many people
apply plastic or weed-suppressant material to areas that they are unable to
cultivate right away or want to ’rest’. This suppresses the weeds but does
not count as cultivation though of course, if you plant through holes in the
plastic for appropriate plants, that is acceptable. Keep the ground cultivated
over winter with crops such as winter lettuce, broad beans, leeks, garlic,
cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli etc. or if there is still a gap, green
manures. Put something in, or the weeds will take over. Nature abhors a vacuum.
