BBC: "You can't have an allotment and a life"

[Sheepish]

Of course this poor man didn't have the benefit of GYO...

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Hell in earth

but who needs a life when you've got a veg patch?

[terrier]

One man's meat, eh! As I remember, Tom and Barbara you'st to lurch from one disaster to the next week by week and finally gave up. Some people are up for the challenge, some arn't.

[Two_Sheds]

Yeah, he should never have rotavated the couch grass, lol

[Snadger]

My four main hobbies have rewards!

Allotmenteering.......fresh home grown fruit/veg/herbs

Keeping chooks........ eggs and meat

Fishing....freshly caught trout or mackeral usually

Metal detecting..........treasure hopefully!

In my case a hobby has to pay for itself!

[bubblewrap]

My four main hobbies have rewards!

Allotmenteering.......fresh home grown fruit/veg/herbs

Keeping chooks........ eggs and meat

Fishing....freshly caught trout or mackeral usually

Metal detecting..........treasure hopefully!

In my case a hobby has to pay for itself!

Allotment retreat from the wife??

[Dottie]

Yeah, he should never have rotavated the couch grass, lol

Yep I used the cardboard and carpet method and now I only get a few bits just like any other weed that is blown over by the wind, but 2 years ago when I took it over the couch grass was 5ft tall.

For me it's not about getting cheap fruit and veg, in fact in the first few years you can pay loads for plants, seeds, compost etc. I love the whole process of planning, sowing/planting and tending. The end result is nice, but it's the getting there that keeps me going back for more.

I agree that having an allotment and having a life outside of it, is difficult. But for me it's because my lottie and garden is a passion and always has been, even as a child and having my first veg patch. So my life fits around my lottie, but as it's a choice I've made then it's the life I want to live.

[Hilary B]

Can't get thew link to work (too much 'traffic' I think) but surely what constitutes 'having a life' is personal!

[JanieB]

I love my lottie. Just got back in fact. I go early in the mornings and late in the evenings at the mo, to avoid the heat during the day.

We have to travel a round trip of 20 miles from here to get a reasonable variety of veggies.

I picked my own lunch from the lottie yesterday and will do the same for today. I have had to add shop-bought eggs and chicken though.

I share the patch with my son and d-i-l, chooks are for the future .

[OverWyreGrower]

What a random article... considering he is basing all his 'facts' from the point that he had an allotment in the 70's...

Yes, of course there is hard work to be done, but surely the benefits of being outside and doing exercise AND coming away with fruit and veg outweigh the hard work?

I'd rather have an allotment and have to maintain it than pay £400+ for a gym membership!!

[JanieB]

I'd rather have an allotment and have to maintain it than pay £400+ for a gym membership!!

Ah!!! I have both . I love swimming but can't stand the attitude of the staff in the local Leisure Centre.

I go for a "Gym 'n Swim" every morning (well most mornings, sometimes life gets in the way). I restarted 5 weeks ago and I've lost over a stone and dropped a dress size in that time.

Working on the lottie helps in between and the produce ensures I eat sensibly .

[pdblake]

He might have fared better if he had bothered to talk to the 'Old Chap' next door.

Saying that, if he puts enough people off, waiting lists might go down

[bluemoon]

He might have fared better if he had bothered to talk to the 'Old Chap' next door.

Well said, PD.

It seems to me that there are two 'types' who take on an allotment, the first type expect to fit it in with their lives and invariably fail; the second make it part of their lives and usually succeed. The differences are subtle, but most people here probably know what I mean

[HeyWayne]

Strange.

Writing on a "on-trend" subject by saying you had an allotment in the 70's.

[Naga]

I don't think I would have time for an allotment, not only that but I love the idea of being able to walk out your back door and pick your own veg.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I don't think its a bad thing to give prospective plotholders an idea of some of the pitfalls etc that they are likely to experience, however this should have been balanced with the benefits which soon outweigh the downsides. Yes its bloomin' hardwork, but the rewards wouldn't be as gratifying if it was easy would they?