Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Flip

Original poster

Do I keep my allotment?

11 replies

crazyhouse123 · 25/09/2023 11:43

I have had my allotment for 18 months. Due to surgery (full hysterectomy and long recovery) and breakdown of my long term relationship I have not had the chance to get up there as much as I needed.

Renewal on the tenancy is due in a month. I have also received a letter advising that I may lose it if I don't show signs of doing any work up there. Ex dp took the rotovator (he did pay for it at the time second hand but I could only get it up there if he took it in his van). Now I don't mind digging I love gardening and my plan was to get up there, strim back and cover everything with ground cover and then just lift and dig and prepare a bit at a time.

It's a big plot with no storage so I can't currently leave tools up there.

What do I do? I was so excited when I got to the top of the list but everything has gone a little wonky since. I am getting back on track, health is so much better, and I know if I could get into it I would love it.

What would you do? Is it worth hanging on another year and now life is getting sorted make a decision then?

Or should I give it up this year and then ask to go back on the list so in a year or so when another one comes up I can go back to it with more enthusiasm and less to do to get started? (it was a bit of a mess before I even started so I have been on the back foot since the start. Random visits just to strim and that has been about it).

I have my own garden which isn't huge but does need work having been a little abandoned over the last year so I do have that opportunity.

So.....any advise? Any questions that I should think about that might help me make the decision? I do work full time.

Thank you!

OP posts:

Talipesmum · 25/09/2023 11:51

Allotments are a lot of work. Our neighbour has one and spends all his free time there - but his garden has become a totally overgrown jungle (2/3 is just brambles and bindweed - quite annoying for immediate next door neighbours as it keeps breaking through the fence!). I think he uses it as time to get out of the house (he’s single but elderly parent caring responsibilities).

Another neighbour had one and offered to share it with us as it was too much work - we did that for a year and it was great fun but we did end up neglecting our garden a bit as well, and it became too much of a chore. She then switched to a smaller plot, and gave it up after a few years (and she was a SAHM with school age kids so although v busy, maybe with a bit more free time than you have).

I think your options are:
Do you know anyone who would like to share it with you? Is that allowed?
If not, speak to the allotment managers, explain recent health issues and ask if you can go back down the list - would you have to go right to the bottom?
Or, think about realistically in a year or so if you are full health again - do you really have time for it? It’s quite a full on commitment. No shame in pulling out if circumstances have changed and you’re more aware of the work needed to put in.

BlueChampagne · 25/09/2023 12:09

You might be able to have half a plot rather than a full plot. I would mention your mitigating circumstances and see if you can hang onto at least part of it.
Ground cover and maybe some bare rooted fruit trees/bushes in the winter, if you can get someone to help you for a day or two?

Original poster

crazyhouse123 · 25/09/2023 16:32

Thank you both for your replies!

They do have dedicated half plots on the site. The plot that I have I agreed to at the time as even though it needed a lot of work to clear and level it, I had my ex who wanted to be involved too.

I have just been up to have a look and it is too much for me, much as I hate to admit it. I think a half plot would be a better option so I will pop in and speak to them tomorrow.

You both described what I am concerned about....spending all the time up there would leave my garden here neglected and I do have to work as well. If I haven't managed to get up there with the longer evenings it's not going to happen in the winter, when I do need to get up there to prepare for the spring.

Thank you so much because it has helped me make up my mind....I will ask if I can be put on the list for a half plot and let this one go. If I can't go on the list for a half plot well, it's just not meant to be!

OP posts:

Talipesmum · 25/09/2023 17:20

Sounds like a great plan. My DH is the gardener in our house, and he’d had a vision of wanting an allotment for ages, so when our neighbour offered to share for a bit he was thrilled. But the reality of having to be there so much and having to keep working on it regularly, alongside work, a family life and our own garden, really hit home and while he would in theory love an allotment one day, the taster we had really showed that it’s a lot more work than you think it’ll be.

So I guess I’m saying don’t feel bad, now isn’t the right time, see if you can do a half one but otherwise just delay to another bit of your life when there’s a bit more time and space.

BlueChampagne · 26/09/2023 09:32

Good luck with the half!

Leggytigberk · 26/09/2023 12:38

I think I would do as you intend. But could you cultivate your own garden as intensely as possible. Whilst building up your own fitness. And developing your career.

Panackelty · 26/09/2023 14:51

Do you have any community farms nearby, where you pay membership and do a few hours work every month? I used to dream of an allotment but I soon realised I really couldn’t manage one whilst working full time ….

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 26/09/2023 15:46

If you know that you can get another plot in a couple of years then I would give this plot up and work on your health for the time being.

And meanwhile save up for a small shed so that when you get your new allotment you can put a shed on there straight away and leave tools there.

SueDonnym · 28/09/2023 07:07

I had an allotment in the past. Thing is it's not nearby - it's a car journey away - also we didn't have taps so all water had to be carried in buckets - i think I had backache all summer.
Also it was seriously overgrown when I took over. And once you ahve produced tons of veg you then need to find time to freeze it for storage.
Plus you have your own garden.
I would concentrate on your own garden,

MereDintofPandiculation · 28/09/2023 09:07

And once you ahve produced tons of veg you then need to find time to freeze it for storage. Good point. Every day from June to November I spend half an hour to an hour a day picking strawberries, raspberries, tayberries, blackberries, mulberries, apples, pears, medlars, quince, and what I don’t use each day has to be frozen, made into jam etc.

Crikeyisthatthetime · 29/10/2023 11:04

Hi OP, when you get your half plot can I suggest you buy a big lockable plastic box for storing essentials like fork and spade and watering can. I got one from Argos that I could lock with a padlock and it is strong enough to sit on too. Game changer for me. I've got a small plastic box inside it where I keep gloves and secateurs and trowel and a ball of twine.

Flip