Im a failure

[veggiechicken]

On the flip side, I gave up my allotment when I had too many other, more important, demands on my time. Not having the time for the plot and watching it deteriorate was upsetting so it was quite a relief to hand back the key and let somebody else enjoy the plot. It was my decision, nobody else's.
Keeping too many balls in the air at one time is a strain and sometimes, one of those balls has to fall to the floor and roll away out of sight. Its better to choose which ball falls, than have them all come tumbling down around you.
By giving up my plot, I could concentrate on caring for family and the home garden.

[SarrissUK]

Hang in there! I had all my kales stripped a couple of weeks ago, and I've been gardening for years. For some reason I thought I might NOT need to net them, and I have no idea why I'd think that... and I paid the price. However, since netting and fleecing them, they're growing well again.

Just sow more cabbage - seed is cheap, even if the lesson you've learnt is tough.

I don't know if it's any help, but I've got tomatoes in a greenhouse on my plot, that I only moved into position a couple of months ago. It was so dry on the ground that it was cracking. I covered it in cardboard and topped it with horse manure as per the no-dig method, and planted tomatoes in there five or six weeks ago now. Although there are missing panes in that greenhouse, none are anywhere near the tomatoes so they're not getting any rain water. I've only watered them twice in that time, and they're doing fine. Just goes to show how much moisture no-dig retains. I'm going up there tomorrow with two trays of tomatoes that are desperate to go in the ground, and they're all going in that greenhouse.

I've also bought these from fleabay for the greenhouse, for those times when I know it will be a few days before I get up there, and I'm hoping that will help when it gets hot (if it gets hot)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12-Plant-...72.m2749.l2649

Hang in there luv, don't let them win - you got this!

[bikermike]

Oh dear!
You aren't a failure, you've just had a rubbish run of luck.

It's a hard lesson to learn about depending on people.

It's always dispiriting when it goes wrong, but there's usually something salvageable, and just pick yourself up for the next thing.

I would suggest that a greenhouse at a plot that you can't get to might be a bad idea. Can you get one at home for the sensitive stuff.

Also, plant (and mulch) for the conditions - bigger pots (or in the ground) to lessen the water problem.

Chin up, and on to the next season!

[rary]

I'm in 100% agreement with Ms-T.

Just let the OH know I'll be round for a word if he makes any more comments like that

Count me in too! My pointy stick is sharp and ready for action.

I would go with the two above but depends how big OH is
Just for your info. I have tomatoes growing looks like I am going to be pulling them the earliest I have ever had them, so what do I have now, the worst plague of green fly and white fly I have had for years if it continues I can see me having to pull everything out, but if I do that I will just start again

[veggiechicken]

Rary, I may be short, but my stick can still reach all areas. I'm not sure what SP's weapon of choice is but I'm sure its very effective!!

[Chestnut]

Yep, I did the same last year. Lost a load of brassica seedlings to caterpillars the year before. Only 4 pea plants out of 2 packs this year. It’s sad to lose a crop, but is part and parcel that there are some things you just can’t control.
I have also worked enough night shifts in my time to know how utterly exhausting they are, particularly at this time of year....

So, don’t beat yourself up about it. You now have learned that your allotment neighbour is unreliable.

It took me 10+ years to train OH to use a watering can, though has not yet grasped concept of under/overwatering...

You can probably still buy seedlings, or cadge them from other plot holders, if you want to go down that route.
Deeper soil eg beds rather than pots is supposed to help.
Automated irrigation would be my dream (especially if it could be controlled by soil moisture level!). I have also seen some that look like a large bag reservoir with drip rate controller on the tubing(like being on a drip in hospital, but bigger).

Alternatively, use your GH for a different crop you can sow now/in next couple of months. I have heard of dwarf french beans cropping into late october in a GH- or wait a while and sow some winter stuff in there.

[Baldy]

You get all sorts - especially on an allotment site
" Antisocial personality disorder is "a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others, occurring since age 15 years"
Narcissistic personality disorder is "a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts."
Seems like you asked a "wrong 'un" andOH could certainly do with a kick up the jacksie

My gardening skills are at best a bit 'meh' - I often know what I should be doing but very rarely actually do that. Leads to disaster most often.
Sometimes I learn. More often not.
Every year something goes 'pear shaped'
This year pigeons have wrecked my peas and beans.
Bit depressing...
... not as depressing as giving up my plot.
Cos my lettuce have been great this year!!!

Not much else has been great but I count the successes far higher than I give a minus to the failures (which is usually just as well)

Hope it pans out ok for you

[Tripmeup]

Chin up Cariann.

Lots of good advice from people here..
Although, as people are describing their own failures on this particular thread, don't follow the advice on this thread per se
You know what I mean

We all make mistakes no matter how long we're at it..As someone said earlier, every problem has a solution of some sort or a few different ones, so work on that

I know it's difficult at the moment but try to take the positives from this, learn from it and move on.
Cabbage seeds are plentiful

[greenishfing]

You are NOT a failure! Only give up your allotment if it is giving you more stress than enjoyment overall. You have been unlucky with your neighbour and it's upsetting but most people aren't like him. We all have failures but think of the successes you've had as well.

[Mr Bones]

Sending commiserations and empathy Carrian. You didn't fail, your crops did. All part of a tough learning curve and circumstances beyond your control.
As others have said, we've all been there and I'm sure things like that still happen to each of us, they certainly do here.

[cariann88]

Thank you guys. Reading all your comments has cheered me up.

I am sure my OH would love the pointy stick being poked at him

OH don't drive and it's to far to walk to the plot. That's why I asked the guy in the allotment site if he could water for me.

I have decided that I am not giving up but I am giving up the plot I am on and growing a few things at home and I am going to relocate(well I've put my name down) to another plot that is just around the corner from my house. Instead of a 20 mins drive into the next town to go to my plot.

[roitelet]

Very pleased you are not giving up, Cariann. I am sure that a plot nearer to your house is the way to go and then perhaps OH can get involved as well. Best of luck.

[veggiechicken]

Sounds like the perfect solution, cariann. Nearer is always easier and you'd be able to pop in for a few minutes to water each day. The 20 minutes you spend travelling could be spent on the plot - when you get one!
Meanwhile, its surprising how much you can grow at home.

[Snoop Puss]

That sounds like a good solution. Best of luck.

[lottie dolly]

Well done cariann,he is forgiven then ,pleased things are getting a positive ending lass