"David wrote in message ...
"........ the soil is a lot darker with some red lumps which break up when
crushed .........."

This is the result of having bonfires on the soil, in it's self no
problem.
If you are worried contact the Council from whom you are renting the
allotment and ask them to test the soil for contamination. They should do
this for you ASAP and will either give it a clean bill of health, or offer
you a new allotment.


Totally agree with David, get your council Allotment and also the
Environmental Health people involved now, if it is contaminated then they
are the people to do something about it.

--
Bob

www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in
Runnymede fighting for it's existence.