Is it a fad?

[miffy]

Went up the lottie on Sunday, saw our plot manager, passed the time of day as you do. Asked him what our waiting list was like, he said he only let it be eight wouldn't let any more go on it! So i asked what the council lists were like, he shook his head and said 'All this interest in growing things all of a sudden it is just a fad, folk will soon get fed up when they realise what hard work it is'

So folk what do you reackon, is it a fad this grow your own caper?
I have a sneaking idea of what you are going to say grapes!!

[Growem]

I don't think it's a fad. More and more people are aware of the benefits of local, seasonal, fresh and likely organic produce. So therefore, it makes sense that more and more people will want to try growing their own. However, your plot manager may be right that there could be a lot of very temporary people passing through some plots, as they realise how much time and effort it can really be. But there will likely be people always to replace them and some of them will get stuck into it.

[daleclarke]

I do not think it is a FAD but a change in attitude, the cost of food is only going to get worse and with Global Warming issues arising more often, along with more recycling measures in the not too distant future, people will have no choice.

I have just read somewhere that food will be going to the highest bidder with China already trying to get countries (who are producing other crops) to supply rice for their own population, as they can not produce enough.

Fuel is starting to rise again which will only make the cost of supply even more expensive (also when recession is over it will further increase) and with the new EEC rules on pesticides etc this year, potato prices are seen to rise considerably by as much 30-50%.

We need as a country to become more self sufficient, and as this might take some time to turn around, allotments and gardens will become the forefront of Vegetable growing.

I might be gloomy about this, but I do not think we have time to be complacent and we need to start planning now!

[Victoria26]

its not a fad for me. Hubby calls it an obsession but I must admit I get so much satisfaction from gardening that I know it will be a life long love!

Now if only I could get a job doing this.....

[SlugLobber]

I think the answer will depend on the people. A certain number will take it up, realise what they've been missing and devote their lives to it. Then there are the lazy 'quick fix' masses who will break a nail digging their first row, ruin their Prada loafers on the lottie and think, 'Hmmm, where did I put those Netto vouchers'. So, for some, it will be a fad, for others, a life changing event.

[BarleySugar]

When I went to the garden centre today there was a chap asking one of the staff about growing veg. He had picked up a book, and was asking what he equipment he would need so his children could plant some simple veg that they would be able to eat eventually. He confessed to the salesman that he had no idea even if it was the right season, but he felt it was important that the whole family got to know where food came from. I was pretty impressed that he was willing to make the effort to do this for the family, and hopefully it will be the start of something much bigger

[jackie j]

I think more people will grow their own veg, yes for some it will be a fad for others it will stay and maybe its something they have wanted to do for a long time.
For me I have always thought about it but until I got my lottie it wasnt possible.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I think everyone is right, some people do jump on a band waggon, but for others it is mere coincidence that its the right time to make the leap.

Like us, we're self building in a village with a small private allotment site nearby, so its perfect and despite broken ankles and appendicitis in our first year, we managed to build a system of raised beds, grew loads, won some prizes at the local Garden Society show etc etc, and yet the chap who took on the plot next door put some rhubarb and potatoes straight in the ground and never came back - he didn't even finish putting his rabbit fencing in!

[lynda66]

i spoke to our council lottie man the other day about the 100 plots that will sometime be available, and he said he wishes they'd hurry up too, as he would have all the plots filled in a week..... theres so many people like jimmy wotsit and oojimobob fearnley going on about it people must be thinking they will give it a go... they have nowt to lose, and if it works for them they get veg and if not someone else will take over the plot.

[BarleySugar]

I think it better that people give it a go, if it doesn't suit, well so be it. Better to have tried etc etc.

[Peter]

It might be a fad, it is a trend.

However, as a site agent I find that about 80% of new tenants just don't realise how much hard work is involved in clearing even two and a half rod sufficently well to get usable crops.

My ideal tenant is recently retired and wanting to do something other than veg at the telly.
My next best is a mum with a compliant OH, both prepared to work hard.

Of the 80% all too many let it grow weeds and get warned about failure to cultivate, but by then they've told all their friends "We've got an allotment." so they cut the weeds and do a few yards before tiring of it again......

The 20%, well they make it all worthwhile.

[Alice]

I've been gardening for 40 years so no fad here. But for me it's about flowers, shrubs, trees and vegetables - anything I want to grow. It's just a way of life.

For newcomers to a movement, well I think there will be the committed and smitten and those who give up as soon as they find there's work involved.

[kirsty b]

I feel as though I definitely bit off more than I could chew taking on a full size plot, but I am pretty bloody minded at times and the small successes I've had just make me want to achieve a little more each time. I had no idea that it would be such hard work, but have found an MP3 player a lifesaver at times. Get into your music and plod along steadily and I've surprised myself.
The weather has kept my clay either soggy and solid or frozen solid, but turned an experimental bit, and its finally become workable!!!!

[Stacey Steve]

I think the heyday of allotments was probably during the Second World War, when food was at such a shortage.

Now although I hope it's a trend, I suspect it is very much a fad with most people. In the 3 years I've been on my present site, the majority of new tenants last about 2 months, then because the rent has been paid for a year, the plots go to weed.

The plot next to me was so full of seeding weeds that I used to mow it down each month. Then along comes new people who turn a bit over and I've not been allowed on there since. It is now fast becoming clumps of weeds again interspersed with bits of lino, pallets odds and sods of slabs etc.

So this season I'm not even going to be able to mow it.

This seems to be the way things are going to be for a long time.

[rana]

This has happened before where ephemeral surges of interest in growing stuff creates a demand for allotment space causing long waiting lists. Many 'new gardeners' will last about one season before realising the hard work involved in maintaining an allotment.

Because of TV gardeners (eg Joe Swift) people get the impression you can sow a row carrots in 5 minutes and reap the produce in the autumn with little other effort.
It's not just giving up a few hours on a pleasant sunny day once a month but a serious commitment of time and effort most weeks throughout the season. Many new gardeners are fooled into the idyllic view of growing veg while lounging on the sofa in front of a half hour TV show.