How I know the allotment is affecting my life

[HeyWayne]

Lady Wayne and I are looking at booking a villa in Tuscany with friends later in the year (probably September), and alongside the usual concerns - temperature, cost, workload and time I have discovered a new worry. Who will tend my allotment during my absence?

We're debating going for one week or two. The difference in cost is negligible however the difference another week would make to my plot in mid-September could be catastrophic!

Anyone fancy a couple of weeks holiday in Bedfordshire?

[scarey55]

Bit too far for me to go Wayne but I think you might have hit upon a good idea. Could be a bit like dog sitting but plot sitting instead.

Oh no, scratch that just realised, who will look after their plot when they are looking after yours

[TonyF]

I have a chum down here who spends the greater part of his year house and pet sitting. It saves him money on his bills and him and his wife get to go round the Dordogne looking after houses and gardens.

HayWayne, we may well see you there in Tuscany. We have friends there who have an organic farm complex and we're going to have a few days there on our way down to Puglia (inspired by the latest Rick Stein series), probably last week in August and first two of September which is when and where we used to holiday when we were in the UK.

Second week in September is usually the time when the locals release the new wines and olive oils, well worth being in Greve for the launch of the new Chianti Classico and some exceptional white win es.

[Two_Sheds]

Hey, Wayne!
Last year I had to be away from plot for a week. I asked my neighbours to water as needed, and to harvest what they wanted in return (ask a couple of people in case someone forgets!)

[HeyWayne]

I have a chum down here who spends the greater part of his year house and pet sitting. It saves him money on his bills and him and his wife get to go round the Dordogne looking after houses and gardens.

HayWayne, we may well see you there in Tuscany. We have friends there who have an organic farm complex and we're going to have a few days there on our way down to Puglia (inspired by the latest Rick Stein series), probably last week in August and first two of September which is when and where we used to holiday when we were in the UK.

Second week in September is usually the time when the locals release the new wines and olive oils, well worth being in Greve for the launch of the new Chianti Classico and some exceptional white win es.

You sound well versed in the area Tony, I might tap you up for some local knowledge. I've asked my colleague in Italy if she'll give me some Italian lessons to get me by - she's only to glad to help!

We're looking at a place called Radicondoli, near Siena. If there's anything you'd suggest we do/see nearby I'd be only to glad of the info. Like you say, we might even meet up! (once I braved the Italian roads in the hire car of course).

[HeyWayne]

Hey, Wayne!
Last year I had to be away from plot for a week. I asked my neighbours to water as needed, and to harvest what they wanted in return (ask a couple of people in case someone forgets!)

I'll have to do that, plus I reckon Dad will be up for it!

[Protea]

Its such a dilema - to go away in the middle of the growing season or wait until winter when you're plots empty (or not go at all which is what happened this year!).

I would water yout plot Wayne but as i'll have moved to Henlow by then its a tad too far to go every day!

Can you ask a friendly plot neighbour to keep an eye and slosh some water around if its really dry in exchange for some produce? (and offer to return the favour for when they go away). This worked for me in 2006 when we were away during the heatwave, although the hose only reached 2/3 of the way down the plot and everything was fried to a crisp anyway!

[bluemoon]

Friends and family usually help out, but it's amazing just how many of them you need to rope in to sort out an allotment you can usually manage by yourself.

I knew the allotment was taking over my life when, at Christmas of the first year, I nipped down to pick the brussels sprouts 10 minutes before they were needed, as any sooner and they 'wouldn't have been fresh enough'.....It's OK I'm taking the tablets now.

[ChrisB]

I knew the allotment was taking over my life when, at Christmas of the first year, I nipped down to pick the brussels sprouts 10 minutes before they were needed, as any sooner and they 'wouldn't have been fresh enough'.....It's OK I'm taking the tablets now.

This is obviously very contagious - have you got any spare tablets

[SarzWix]

We've booked to go away in the Easter holidays, and we've got a very, very good friend who looks after our cat, fish, plants, lottie & garden. He's worth his weight in gold!!

[piskieinboots]

I'd also go with the .... ask a few people (fellow allotmenters/friends) to check on things, water when necessary, harvest whatever they want to keep things ticking over for you

[Newbie]

I'm going abroad in April for 2 weeks (wedding & honeymoon) & thought i was the only saddo (oops did i say that!) who was worried about it affecting my veg plot!! haven't dared say to hubby to be that it will get in the way of planting my seeds!!

[kirsty b]

Steve's going to France in Aug with the older boys for a weeks fishing, but when he comes back, I'm planning to take the younger two away somewhere all inclusive to veg out, fishing not being our thing. (doing it this way, because kennels for the dogs would probably cost an arm and a leg. Added to which the poor babies will miss us, having never been apart from us since we got them)
I just know that I'll be on the phone to him every day, reminding him to feed chooks, water toms etc!!