Allotments

[TraLaLaaaaa]

Does anyone want to talk to me about their allotment? Just how much of a time commitment might one end up being?

We got one last winter. It's 12x5 m and we were struggling to clear it so we have another family to help us (we've effectively halved it) and this is much more manageable. (We have small children and a baby) so visits tend to be short and sweet. It's been ok generally as it's not been too hot and dry, so we don't have to go everyday to water. This first year we've mainly planted potatoes and tomatoes with some squashes and a flower bed, but the weeding is out of control! We're managing it by spending 3 hours a week average on it, hopefully next year we can spend more time.

But you have to consider watering when you go away, but there's usually a good community you could swap watering with you.

I've got a full size allotment (about the size of a tennis doubles court +). To be honest it's too much and if they had been giving out half allotments then that would have been enough.

It slightly depends on the condition it's in when you get it. Mostly there is a lot of clearing to do. Once that's done (or you clear half and put the other half to bed under tarpaulin) it gets easier.

I've had mine ten years and it's fairly under control. A minimum I need to keep it under control is about 5 hours a week in peak season. That's spread out to a couple of hours on the weekend and then odd half hours before or after work.

In reality I spend a lot more time up there because I like it! And it really helps when my other half comes up to help too.

So you have to enjoy it, have someone to look after it when you go away, and have a shed on it and a water supply near by.

Also don't bank on it saving you money!

It's great if you like fruit - fruit bushes are really easy to take care of.

We have had a half plot for 10 years. It's close to our house which makes things easier. We spend about 2 or 3 hours a week at this time of year there now but was more in the early years because it was in a sorry state when we inherited it.

I would suggest big crops like courgettes, green beans and potatoes. Good for the soil quality and keeps weeds away. Plant flowers and as mentioned fruit bushes. But plant stuff you like to eat or look at.

Great, thanks all. It's just me (and DS6) so I think a half plot would be a sensible option. 2-3 hours isn't as scary a a commitment as I was expecting. Although, I'd not really thought about needing someone to keep an eye on it whilst we're on holidays. Our back garden chickens are pain enough on that front!

I have a half plot (it's 6.5x16 metres). Took it on at the start of Feb. It is a fair amount of work to get it up and running particularly if it's been badly neglected. I was lucky that mine had been cleared and rotavated a couple of months before so I just had a thin layer of weeks to deal with. Once I had got all the beds laid out and paths created and everything was planted I would say I spend about 4 hours a week on it. I'd say I spent a similar amount of time per week on it to get it ready but that took about 6 weeks. Basically I got all the weeds up and leveled it (this took quite a while!) then I got 100m of weed proof membrane and created paths by pinning it down (1m wide path through the centre with 60cm wide paths coming off it). I created 12 beds doing this and dug through some manure into all of them. That way I was able to start planting in early April. Since then I've started adding paving slabs on top of the membrane to create more sturdy paths (I find people who are giving them away on FB usually). I also made a compost heap out of old pallets. I still have 3m x 6.5 metres empty at the end which is covered in membrane to stop weeds coming up and I am sticking a greenhouse and some fruit plants there in the winter.

I LOVE having an allotment. I started it to keep DS happy but he grew bored of it quickly. I however go up there as much as I can. It is actually a really relaxing thing to do. I would say it does save me some money (especially on strawberries!) but I'm always buying stuff for it (seeds, plants, netting etc) so I doubt the saving is that high! I also love the community - lots of people saying hello and coming for a chat/to give advice etc.

I'll post a before and after of my allotment if I can find one. Hang on...

You're so lucky. I have been on the waiting list for years....

Here is the before...

And after...

Trala where we are, we have a community allotment, so you can do a bit, take some produce, but not have full time responsibility! timefor if you are in Stoke on Trent region, pm me.

Our allotments have beds you can take if you’re not up for taking a whole plot.

It’s amazing for kids

Thanks Spongebob but nowhere near!

That looks great @Titsywoo. All your hard work is paying off!

I think the ones near me are quite small compared to yours and the measurements others have mentioned on here. Which is probably good for me.

There's a long waiting list for some areas in my city, but plenty available close to where I live. Although I wonder if there's a reason for this?! I've heard of a bit of vandalism down there, so maybe they're not the most secure. They're in a beautiful area with woods, park, river, and even cafe close by...but maybe the popularity of the area makes security more of an issue.

Lots to think about...thanks everyone for your thoughts.