Does anyone share an allotment?

[Appervine]

A couple of people locally have mentioned the idea of an allotment share. I like the idea as our garden is very small and I would love to be able to grow more veg but, while my children are still young, I don't have as much time as I'd like so I think a whole allotment would be too much of a commitment. Has anyone tried an allotment share and, if so, how did it work out? Any pitfalls I should be aware of?

the site may not allow sharing. ours doesn't. for me it wouldn't work at all as i would like to organise my plot and decide what i grew. i have seen a couple of people on our site work both their plots together - they are great friends and under those circumstances it has worked so far.

why don't you just ask for a smaller plot? you can either have a half or quarter on our site. you can use membrane and put in things that don't need much tlc - fruit, pots etc.

are you on a waiting list? if not that should be your first priority as you may not get a plot for 4 years anyway

its one of the best things i've done. so good for relieving stress

Our site allows allotment sharing but in the sense that you take a specific bit of the allotment each - i.e. basically doing what Dreaming said. My allotment is technically a half allotment as it's only 5 rods but it's stand alone. Other people here have split a bigger allotment across the middle.

On the other hand I have a friend who took an allotment with another friend so they did the whole thing together. It didn't work out - turned out they wanted different things from the allotment; my friend is an experienced gardener and the other was a beginner etc etc.

if your name isn't on the agreement with the allotment association and the other person's is, you are in a dodgy position. if they move/become ill/go off the whole thing you could end up losing the plot. you may have put a lot of effort and money into it at this point.

Interesting points. Thanks all.

The reason I'm considering it is that someone I know in a similar position to me who already has an allotment mentioned that she might be up for sharing. I'm not on the list yet. I suppose it might be an idea to get on it now and by the time I actually get to the top I might have more time on my hands!

Interesting that it didn't work out for your friend pp (sorry, on the app - can't scroll back for your name). I guess it definitely needs a proper honest conversation about what you hope to achieve and what you're prepared to commit to it.

Food for thought.

you probably won't be allowed to share with your friend - you wouldn't on our site. it would be seen as unfair, as its potentially a way of leapfrogging the waiting list. because allotments are so popular the sites are often quite strict on enforcing rules

if you are even considering having one, i'd strongly suggest getting on the list. once at the top, you can probably decline a few if they aren't suitable

several plots take their kids along, who seem to really enjoy helping. unfortunately mine don't

That's a really good point dreaming of sun. It hadn't even occurred to me that I could be construed as unfair, but actually I can see why people would think that.

I think I just need to get on the list and meanwhile find a way to major the best use of a small garden!