What type of allotmentier are you?

[Mikey]

I ask this because as a newbie to an allotment, I find that I am strangely fascinated by the gardening habits of others, very much in a voyeuristic sort of way.

The other night, there was a couple who sat having their tea, and a glass of wine on a nearby plot while I merrily dug away. I found it quite bizarre watching the couple, putting up a willow arch and tending their 4, 1 metre square raised beds.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there was something inheritantly wrong in what they were doing, I just couldn't stop catching a glimpse, as though I was watching the telly.

Does anyone else do this, and how would you characterise yourself.

My Allotment Character,

Man who diguth every square inch of plot, and endeavours to pinch a little from the pathways, every square inch is militarily planned and executed to maximise yield (I can say this having had many back garden plots).

[Flummery]

Having only a half plot (and it's a smaller plot than average too) I also use every bit - and am growing climbing stuff where possible - e.g. tall climbing peas. I have a garden plot with a nice patio not too far from the gin bottle and the fridge so I don't do this down me lottie!

[Jardiniere]

Perhaps your allotment neighbours havent got a garden attached to their house/flat so do the leisure garden bit at their allotment?

[Pootle]

Oh how I aspire to the 'having a glass of wine at the plot' stage! If only all of this pesky preparation didn't get in the way...

Seriously though, when we're the only ones on the allotment I always go around and have a peak at what everyone else is up to - purely research you understand

The major problem for me is when other couples begin arguing, and you know you shouldn't listen in but you can't help yourself...

[kirsty b]

I'm a messy one.

Still trying to get my plot in order from the jungle it was when I first took it on. So far I've reclaimed a little more than I did last year.
I'm on my own at the top of the site, having purposely selected a plot with all round fencing. I used to take m'dog with me, but since she had pups and we kept one, the boy (Max) is too destructive to come down and FAR too interested in my chooks. (I wanted the fences to stop Boo wandering off and risk damaging other plots)
Its nice, I'm in my own little world up there

[Minty]

I'm a messy one.

Still trying to get my plot in order from the jungle it was when I first took it on. So far I've reclaimed a little more than I did last year.
I'm on my own at the top of the site, having purposely selected a plot with all round fencing. I used to take m'dog with me, but since she had pups and we kept one, the boy (Max) is too destructive to come down and FAR too interested in my chooks. (I wanted the fences to stop Boo wandering off and risk damaging other plots)
Its nice, I'm in my own little world up there

We had a boxer called Max a few years ago, god how we miss him .
Minty

[rustylady]

Glass of wine at the lottie sounds terribly civilized, and nice if you have the time and the facilities. I have two problems with this, though. No loo at the lottie, just a bucket in the shed. AND, what if one glass leads to another, would I be able to find the site key and get home all on my own?

I usually take a flask of coffee and a sandwich or some biccies.

[ugly gourd]

one of the plot holders on our lotties has a birthday party with friends, balloons , wine and the phone for a pizza to!!

[NOG]

I am the Grumpy type....it stopps people talking to me and stopping me working. I go to the plot with a plan......today I will......
Once I have done it I can either stay and do something else or I go....but I must get my planned activity done.

[jackie j]

I try to get my planned jobs done but more often than not I see other jobs that need doing. I have got a small camping gaz ring for the kettle and keep coffee tea sweetners and take the milk, got a couple of collaspable chairs and I like to sit and listen to the birds. As I approach my plot there is a large grass patch that the chap next to me keeps cut, apple trees are down one side and the same chap has cleared a border and some of us have donated flowering seeds and put those in. There is also a picnic table that anyone can use. My shed is at the far end of my plot but is just outside the fence there is grass there too and a stream behind.
In the summer we will probably go down there to sit in the evenings as the sun has gone from my small back garden by 4ish.
If I knew how to post photos I would and its so peaceful down there.

[HeyWayne]

I'd consider myself as a bit of a happy go lucky* allotmenteer. I'm not particularly well organised, and I've very little in the way of experience. Others would (and probably do) see me as some other sort of allotmenteer.

Someone once said to me - failing to plan, is planning to fail (yeah he was a bit David Brent to be honest). I see failing to plan as more of a Dr Pepper thing - what's the worst that could happen?

Quite like the idea of chilling out on the plot with a glass of vini, but practise is a bit different given that I mostly have to drive to the plot. Plus, we've got a perfectly good garden for that.

*see also - haphazard, slapdash, careless, gung ho....

[Winged one]

I am a bit like Kirsty and HW on this one. Trying to reclaim it all still (only got it last year and was uncultivated) but at least am getting the good stuff off it. I had a plan, but that's been thrown aside as spuds took more room than planned, as did onions, winter brassicas are not yet harvested so can't plant there yet, and I still have more to dig over.

But at least we are getting to enjoy it. Trips are usually totally based on working as time is short for us. There is a patch at the front and we are leaving that to grass for the moment - it will be the last area to be reclaimed. We usually throw the rug down there and the toddler has some soup for lunch - which might allow me a few mins to weed near her. We aren't allowed sheds, so we have to take everything in the car every trip - I managed to get a folding wheelbarrow a few weeks ago which should help dispel the Mongolian Sherpa look!!

[Snadger]

I am the Grumpy type....it stopps people talking to me and stopping me working. I go to the plot with a plan......today I will......
Once I have done it I can either stay and do something else or I go....but I must get my planned activity done.

I always go with a plan but never get done what I planned to do!

[Snadger]

I have two full plots in which I try to be as close as I can be to being self sufficient in fruit and veg.(about 80% at mo!) I have a lot of projects on the go together, a half built greenhouse a shed to erect and a mini summerhouse with BBQ area to start along with a pond and a just finished hen hut and run.

Laid out in a potager style with central herb wheel and cordon fruit down the border between next plot this may sound posher than it actually is and at the moment is a hotchpotch of half finished projects with the onus on growing veg.

[muckdiva]

Have just discovered that I could be the type who gets up at 5.30 for a couple of hours on the plot before taking daughter to school. Well, ok, I tried it for the first time today. It was so peaceful and for once I wasn't having to rush... not sure how long I'll be able to keep this up, but feeling exceedingly smug today.