How to find someone who could use some of my garden as an allotment... don't want £££?

[lifebeginsat42]

Hello,

I have a 200 ft back garden. My husband and I have recently separated and will be divorcing eventually and I am worried about how on earth I'm going to maintain it. The garden is well planted with mostly large shrubs etc, but it's the sheer size of it that's daunting. I'm going to be increasing my work hours and looking after the kids n my own so just won't have the time.

The garden is split into 3 sections that gradually slope down so the section at the far end is relatively private and can't even been seen from the house and patio. So I came up with the idea of finding someone I can lend this out to who would like to grown their own fruit and veg. Down there is a large vegetable patch, some tiered planting areas (perfect for strawberries etc), a hose connection, an established herb garden, a green house, large shed and compost bin.

All I'd ask in return is that they helped out with some basic garden maintenance - trimming hedges, cutting lawn down there etc.

So, do you think this is a realistic idea? The garden can be accessed via the side gate so no need to come into house but the person would have to pass through the top lawn etc to get to this area, but once down there it's pretty private. They'd also have to be happy enough to chat to my kids if they wandered down ;-)

And if it is an okay idea, then how do I go about finding someone?

Thanks.

Great idea, google 'Landshare'.

I believe there is an organisation called Landshare which might be of help.

Do you think it's a workable arrangement? What are the possible pitfalls?

I know it sounds a bit negative, but I want to make my life easier and do something to help someone else out, but I'm worried if there were any problems.

I'll check out landshare. Thanks.

I'm sorry to hear about your divorce, it sounds like you've had a stressful time.

I would start by looking very locally - this arrangement will work really well if there's someone within a very short walk of your house.

I've heard of people doing this with great success. I don't see why it wouldn't work, provided that you have good communication and you aren't so proprietorial about your space that you mind someone else wandering around your garden! It sounds like you have an absolutely ideal plot for someone to get their teeth into - most people would kill for that kind of infrastructure when starting a veg garden!

In terms of the rest of your space, have you thought about laying some of it to a deliberately 'wild' area - maybe some kind of meadow underneath fruit trees that will give you a crop and that could be maintained by the allotment person? You could even sell some of the fruit to local greengrocers to make a few extra quid.

You could go to your local allotments and ask them if they have anyone on the waiting list in your area and if do they could pass on your detailsYou might want to start with clear boundaries both physical and also in terms of who does what and when etc. for example, you may not want them to use your loo but equally, no weeing in the garden! What about noise? Would you mind if the listened to the radio in your garden? Any times that you want to restrict them to?

To be honest if they had a wee down there I don't think I'd ever know as honestly me and the kids rarely venture down there, but it's a good point. I don't think I'd want someone coming into the house.

I have taken the good idea re allotments and sent an email to the person who manages our local allotments. So I'll wait and see if he comes back to me and what he says.

I'd imagine someone would want at least a few years' commitment if not more. What if the person gets on your nerves after a season (always wanting to chat, looking through your windows to see if you're in, etc). I'd try to look for someone retired or with working hours that are opposite of yours, ie 9-5 weekday but no visits in weekends and school holidays, so you both have your own time in the garden.

Landshare have an agreement that both parties really need to sign - my worry would be that someone would put alot of hard work into it and you could sell up at any time.