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Top of the list - horray or boo?????
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Message 1.Â
Posted by sparklepinksunflower (U10977805) on Friday, 25th February 2011
I have been on the waiting list for nearly 4 years for an allotment, finally I am at the top and can go and see my new allotment in a couple of weeks time.
But have started a new business after being made redundant and only been going for 3 mths and all my time and engery is going into that. I have already spoken to the manager and said that I would be happy to share a plot but I just don't know what to do.
Should I not take it on or accept it and just keep my plans very very small?
To make it harder, there is already a greenhouse, a shed, established apples, plums and damson trees, raspberries and a huge clump of ruhbard and its next to the honey bees, sounds like heaven!!!
I have wanted a green house for years,my small London garden just can't fit a proper glass one in (do have 2 plastic ones though
)
I so want my allotment, can I make it work???? -
Message 2
Posted by rokerman73 (U14575575) on Friday, 25th February 2011
I would take it. After waiting four years it may be a while to get another chance. Allotments are becoming more popular by the day.
Personally I wouldn't share an allotment unless the agreement is that you have and are responsible solely for your half and the other person theirs. This will prevent the awkwardness of what to grow who puts in the most effort etc.
I have a half allotment, the other half is my neighbours and we are totally autonomous.
Take it easy for the first few months just maintain what you have maybe and then as your business stabilises then you can devote more time to the plot.
You will enjoy the exercise, fresh air, thinking time and companionship of the allotment. Don't let it go.
Good luck with it and your new business.
Al -
Message 3
Posted by hereisabee (U2342191) on Friday, 25th February 2011
As a secretary to an allotment association, I always give people the choice of accepting, or passing to the next person and staying on top of the list for the next plot. If you do not have the time to make a go of it, then it may become a 'mill stone' rather than a resource. Think carefully, if it goes to someone keen, then you will feel the goodwill even if you cannot taste the veg?
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Message 4
Posted by Playingtimeaddedon (U14150224) on Friday, 25th February 2011
Take it! If you are keen, you will find the time. The evenings are getting lighter, and if you can manage four hours at weekends now, you should be able to make an impression, and clear a bit of ground ready for a few potatoes, and then for beans.
If you don't accept it, you will be forever cursing yourself for not having done so. -
Message 5
Posted by margaretstar (U14415248) on Saturday, 26th February 2011
Yes, if it is in not too bad a condition, no bind weed and/or mare's tail etc. I'd take it.
Buy a hoe as it's by far the most time efficient way of controlling weeds. A half to one hour each week at most on an average plot.
The compromise may come in what you actually grow this first year. Easy things like potatoes (choose blight resistant varieties), onions from sets, broad and runner beans, loose leaf lettuce, chard, courgettes , winter squash (red kuri aka Orange Hokkaido) and sweet corn would be my list of easy, relatively low maintanence vegetables.
Brassicas grow easily, just the whole world seems to want to eat or live on them.
But if you buy plugs and can grow them on at home under care to about 8" high and then plant out under netting or fleece they are not too difficult either.
Restricting the different types of things you grow in the first year and keep to the easier things will save you a lot of time. Then next year hopefully you will have more time! -
Message 6
Posted by the2 jays (U14383723) on Saturday, 26th February 2011
I would consider using the no dig system look up Charles Dowding. You would then only need to get the perennial weeds out. It would save you time & effort.
The description of the plot sounds to good to pass over. Starting a new business is stressful so your 'little piece of England' could be a godsend. I wouldn't want to share. We have a half plot & would love to get our hands on another half. Our plots are only small, 56' x 18'. -
Message 7
Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Saturday, 26th February 2011
Sparklepinksunflower...I don't think Carlberg do allotments but if they did.....
That sounds like an allotment from heaven! Last year I lived 100 miles from mine and only got to it about once a month but I made it work. Corrugated cardboard is your best friend (and more organic than carpet) Keeps the weeks down no end
I had black plastic weighted down too just to avoid weeding other areas. I think the problem with neglected allotments are the weeds seeding into other peoples plots. If you can keep the weeds away and just cultivate a wee managable area this year. Nobody can complain about that. Even cover it all and just have the crops from the trees this year?
There's always another year you can become more adventurous. I don't think you'll get another allotment like that one!
Sending you lots of luck in your decision and new business! -
Message 8
Posted by sparklepinksunflower (U10977805) on Tuesday, 1st March 2011
Thanks for all your replies, New business is going well so far
I din't think I ever had any real doubts about accpeting it just needed some reassurance
I am going to share the plot and we are going to just devide it in half.
Will take it slowly at first and already know what I am going to do with the dozen or so strawberry runners I potted up last year
Am trying to get OH excited by telling him how meny potatoes we can grow - he always wants me to grow more spuds but there is only some meny you get from a planter and I have promised rows and rows of all different types.
The best thing about working for your self is on a rainy Sunday I can work in the office if I can't get in the garden/allotment and a gorgeous sunny Wednesday morning I can go and do some digging!!! -
Message 9
Posted by cooperbean (U13920738) on Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Go for it - (or at least give it a try) its brilliant and you already have lots of things already there
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