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Allotment or not-meant
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Message 1.Â
Posted by sthlndngrower (U14310155) on Wednesday, 9th March 2011
Hello,
This is probably a silly question to be asking here, but there may be a possibility of getting on a relatively short waiting list for an allotment. Much as I want to jump at the chance, I’m not sure I should take this on. I am a bit concerned about the workload- I do find it difficult to keep up with my garden and everything else. But the thing is, in my garden I'm only able to have a fairly small space dedicated to fruit/ salad/ veg and get very little to harvest.
If I take on even half a plot, how manageable is this? Is there an average amount of time one can spend per week throughout the spring and summer?
I'm so keen, but don't want to bite off more than I can chew. -
Message 2
Posted by chris (U14479141) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
good morning,i have a plot 70 sqm and it does take up quite a bit of time but it is so worth it if i could have more i would, how much time have you got, have you free time in the evenings and at weekends ? have you even thought of possibly sharing that may help,if you are really struggling to cope with your small garden you may be taking on too much,i really do think it all depends on how much time you can spend on the plot, kind regards chris
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Message 3
Posted by feelin_blue (U1930180) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
Hi sthlndngrower,
Its really difficult to give an average time spent on the allotment, as it can be so variable. I have had my 5 rod plot now for 18 mths, and the time spent varies soooo much! We are just coming to the busy time of year, but if you grow stuff at home anyway you will already be doing this. It takes ages to sow, prick out and pot on seedlings, but you can save time by buying in seedlings ready for planting. I seem to spend ages digging by hand, while others rotovate.
Some things like fruit trees and bushes can be pretty much put in, fed, protected, and left, in comparison to other things which need a lot more work. Weeding will always take time though, or you can use weed prevention techniques!
You will need to think about the sort of things you want to grow. Also most allotments have rules about being cultivated and not left, so bear this in mind. But it really is so enjoyable and rewarding you might find you want to spend every spare moment there! (Weather permitting of course, which is another factor!!)
I have found I spend as much time as I can there, but I don't go to work (after redundancy) so my plot has been a real joy! I call in help from my hubby, kids and friends when I need them.
One more thing - time spent will also depend on the condition of your plot when you get it, mine was very poor and took ages to get part of it ready for cultivation (rabbit fencing etc) so you may have to be prepared that you will only be able to prepare small patches at a time.
Let us know what you decide! -
Message 4
Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
I do find it difficult to keep up with my garden and everything else.Â
I think you've answered your own question.
The initial workload will require a bit o graft to bloody hard work depending on the state of the plot
As a bare minimum, you'll want to be down on the plot 3 evenings a week once you've got it going. The 'picky' factor of the committee will also have a bearing on this.
As for general keeping on top of the garden, I find little and often works well for me.
5-10 mins hoeing session a couple of times a week keeps the weeds at bay.
This time of year, if I've got a spare 10 mins I'll pop out and sow a seed tray or two. I'd previously spent 15 mins through the various seed packets sorting them into rough sowing dates, eg 1st half of march, 2nd half, 1st half of april etc. It breaks it down into a less daunting half dozen (in my case) to be sown each fornight.
The same goes for planting out, sod the getting it all in at once, relax, just do it in little sessions, I've popped out back to plant out as little as a half dozen Aquiliega at a time. -
Message 5
Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my plot, because I never feel I spend enough time there. I work full-time a long way from where I live, and apart from a few evenings in the height of summer when it's light enough for long enough I'm only ever able to get down there at weekends. So "little and often" doesn't really work for me - if I have a free day and it's dry I have to be there!
But is IS worth it: exercise, using a different part of my brain to "real" work, sense of community, satisfaction in learning new skills, resilience in the face of setback - and that's before eating any of the results.
On a warm summer evening with the blackbirds "chinking", packing up the tools at the end of a long session, trug bursting with produce, anticipating a long soak and a large glass of wine - there's nothing like it
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Message 6
Posted by feelin_blue (U1930180) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
Hi Calendula,
Just to say how much I agree with your last 2 paragraphs! That is something I have enjoyed so much, the learning, testing my ability to solve a problem, like how to cheaply build a rabbit fence, a fruit cage, a pigeon proof net over the brassicas (still a problem!) etc.
Add to that the shear enjoyment of an outdoors cuppa (tea can only really be enjoyed completely when outdoors!) while sitting and surveying the plants growing, the birds on the seed feeders, the neighbourhood foxes, the exercise, the smell of the dirt and the air........
There is nothing like it, indeed! -
Message 7
Posted by crouchee (U13371975) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
offer to share a plot with a pensioner who wants to give up because it is too much work. You do the heavy digging, he/she shares knowledge and teabags and you don't have to start on a plot eye-high in weeds
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Message 8
Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
I'm pleased to hear someone actually thinking about allotmenting BEFORE putting their name down. I'm tired of seeing 1/4 of an allotment dug and then left for the weeds.
I should take a stroll around the allotments where you are thinking of applying and ask the 'people' how much time they spend. Or. . . .how about asking "those in authority" if you could split the allotment with another person? Grow veggies and make a friend. Cheers, Tony. -
Message 9
Posted by greenfingers_not (U14808310) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
I think you should give it a go, perhaps taking on half a plot. Once you get going you will love it I'm sure. You obviously have an interest if you are thinking about it in the first place. If there is a minimal waiting list then you are very lucky and should take advantage of this as it may not be quite so small if you decide to delay for a few years. Don't try to go mad to start with by trying to plant loads of stuff. Plant crops which need less fussing. I was given a very good gardening book for my birthday, Alan Titchmarsh, The Kitchen Gardener. he gives very good advice on how easy/hard plants are to grow
I know that the association members appear to be a very bossy lot and a bit scary, but, their hearts are in the right and they have a breadth of knowledge to impart. Act the idiot (not hard in my case) and they love sharing knowledge (and even seed potatoes). If they see that you are making an effort by digging it over if it's in a bit of a bad way they are very encouraging. I don't think that they like to see people wasting plots.
You will find the time even if it means the housework doesn't get done and it's beans on toast again for tea.
P.S. I am glad that someone else "survey" like me (feelin_Blue). -
Message 10
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
little and often works well for meÂ
I am a home garden man in a rural area so I must not intrude too much on this one except to say that an hour or two every day has allowed me to turn over half of a quarter acre garden in the last year since last February, to a depth of 4'
I am 65, and I was completely lame in one leg until I began the work.
Start your rest cure now. I will boast no more, and try to speak with renewed humility!
I have got the other half to do, whilst planting for victory over global warming, and crass consumerism!
The finished work as I design it in my mind's eye ,will take about five years and not use a combustion engine tool of any sort other than a flymo 18" and similar strimmer, the latter an indulgence. -
Message 11
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
I am thinking though that a rotovator will be essential to get the most out of it
for my self sufficient needs in the end.
I shall have an area of about 150sq.m for annual vegetable planting.
I don't think i shall be able to dig that regularly, quite apart from another 30sq m which will need digging from time to time, depending on the success of the plantings this year. -
Message 12
Posted by sthlndngrower (U14310155) on Thursday, 10th March 2011
Oh my goodness, how kind you all are to take the time to offer your thoughtful and insightful comments, I had no idea I'd get such a response.
It’s clear (as I thought undoubtedly would be the case) that allotmenteering can't be beaten. I think I’ll take a trip down there and chat to a few people, get an idea of how much time others devote to their plots. I suppose like many things, it will fill up as much time as I can give it. I don’t think it would be too difficult for me to devote a whole day each weekend to the plot, and maybe an evening too during the summer.
Perhaps if I can share/ take on half a plot, and think carefully about what I grow it will be achievable. If it means doing less housework, then so be it- sounds like a great trade off to me.
Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom, I am feeling totally inspired now.
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Message 13
Posted by ageing_hippie (U6742113) on Friday, 11th March 2011
On our site it's quite common for people to cover half a plot or even more with ground cover fabric until they are able to cultivate it. Our society sells it from a roll about four metres wide. It needs to be well weighted down so it stays in place through the gales - old scaffolding poles or fence posts are useful.
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Message 14
Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Sunday, 13th March 2011
Chat with an allotment society, and or its members, must be a mixed blessing when you want to get on with digging!
I have to plan what I am going to do, either early in the day, or the night before,
same as for any self-motivated work.
I nearly always do an hour a day of work as a minimum but I do get keen, and do two or three! -
Message 15
All this user's posts have been removed.
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Message 16
Posted by Ian W (U8604472) on Sunday, 13th March 2011
I think it's great that you're considering what you're taking on as it can be quite a committment. Time wise it varies depending on the state of your plot when you take it on. My first year was difficult and I spent a lot of time digging out couch grass, bindweed and other weeds as well as trying to grow something. I'm now into my second year and with proper plot rotation the jobs become more organised and spaced out in time so it's a little easier.
My plot is 7m by about 20m and last year I spent 1 hour 3 nights a week plus maybe 2 or 3 hours at weekends at the busiest time. It wasn't the tidiest plot around but it wasn't too bad either and I had loads of produce after a slow start.
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