Allotment neglect

[HeyWayne]

I'm trying to look on the positives.

Over the last couple of weeks I just have not been able to get to the plot - at all.

I'm confident that there will be an abundance of weeds and that I will have missed out on harvesting raspberries, and logan/tayberries etc.

However - I might well have some runner bean flowers (if not the beans themselves), my courgette/squash plants might be growing well. There may well be some flowers on my peas. Sweetcorn may well be showing signs of fruit.

Oh the expectation.

I know that the spuds will all need digging up - even the mains will have to be lifted as the foliage was starting to die back last time I was there.

Carrots might well be almost harvestable - if you don't mind baby carrots. Might also have some small beetroot to have a nibble on.

Trouble is - what with a combination of a 6 month old (next weekend) baby, the weather, and other commitments I'm unlikely to get there mush this weekend either.

Still, there's at least something to look forward to in amongst the weeds!

[Hazel at the Hill]

I don't want to be a party pooper, but....

...with Bean quite rightly taking priority on your time - are you sure you can do your allotment justice?

I know it's nice to have the allotment, but if you really can't spare an hour a couple of nights a week and a couple of hours over the weekend you should maybe do the decent thing ...?

BTW, I think that you could find the time if you wanted, but quite naturally you'd prefer to spend time with the family

Do you know anyone who could join you for a couple of hours each week to keep the lottie in order in return for shares in the produce until Bean takes up a little less of your time (like, when he's 18 or something.....nooooooo!)

Don't mean to be harsh, big fella, but you've seen the 'other side' of the allotment waiting list from peeps on here who would chop your right arm off to get to it....

Don't shoot me down...

[shirlthegirl43]

Why don't you take bean in his pram and let him have a snooze while you play at the lottie?

[JanieB]

Why don't you take bean in his pram and let him have a snooze while you play at the lottie?

That's what I had to do when married to a farmer and it was spud picking time.

[WhatKatyGrew]

Wayne - I feel your pain! I have a 1 year old and a 3 year old who love it at the allotment for about an hour before they get bored and start digging up things that are just starting to grow! So finding time to get jobs done is hard.
But I don't think you should give up - as your little one gets older and the weather gets better you'll find time again. I don't know about your allotment site but where I am there are plenty of plots that have been neglected for far more than a couple of weeks - more like months!

[Dottie]

I wouldn't think of giving up yet either, I've had illness to contend with but I still enjoy popping down to pick some berries or a courgette on good days. I've learnt to accept when I miss a window, like sowing parsnips or when slugs have eaten new seedlings as I've not being around to put pellets down.

If your plot is like mine, in terms of already sorted prior to change of circumstances (I've raised beds and no-dig), then I'm sure your plot will survive and produce without too much attention. I'm just thankful for all the rain, as I don't have to worry too much about watering.

Life is about adapting, adapting and adapting again. So just enjoy the joys of being a dad and also enjoy the joy of producing and taking home produce to your expanding family. It's all a state of mind, if you want to find a hour or so for the lottie you will, but if what you really want at this time in your life is to be at home with the family, then enjoy and be guilt free on making that choice.

There is always a new growing season, plots or pots for growing fruit & veg. But spending time with with little Bean as a working dad, is a season that will not come around again. Look at what you want and see if you can adapt your lifestyle, you only need half hour slots to harvest what you can eat now.

Best of luck and enjoy.

[zazen999]

HW - I've seen your plot as you know.

If it were me, and it isn't - I'd get down there and put some weed fabric down on all the paths; and over the beds that you aren't using. This would probably take about a half a day, and it will stop the weeds building up whilst you leave the crops that are in to mature.

Stop beating yourself up about deciding between boy and plot [boy will win hands down!!!], and trying to be uber sustainable by walking there - nip up in the car when you can and do an hour here and there - but do the minimum that you have to until he starts teething and wailing then you can leave Lady W to it.

[Just kidding Lady W :]

[BumbleB]

Whatever you harvest will be a bonus. At least this is the time of year when most of the planting etc has been completed. So you'll have weeds, but you would have them every six weeks anyway so you have saved time only to pull up bigger weeds once. The way I see it you deserve your time off to enjoy your son especially in the summer months.

I would not worry until September. But then think how you can get the best of both worlds. If you spend time Autumn and Winter (when little one will sleep longer, earlier) you might still manage a half decent plot.

Good luck

[Bren In Pots]

If you've got crops ready to eat nip down and pick/dig up those then you wont feel too bad about the whole neglecting thing.

[miffy]

I know that when my lad was little i never seemed to have time to do anything but look after him and then fall asleep every time i sat down!! When the weather is better you will be able to pop up there and just do a whizz round, do as advised and cover things to stop the spread of weeds. It would be a shame to give up when you so obviously love it and in the not too distant future little bean will be mobile and able to 'help' dad up the lottie and how fantastic will that be. Take care and stop beating yourself up x

[dexterdoglancashire]

Wayne - don't worry. I couldnt get down to my lottie for 3 weeks coz I had a throat infection. If you've read the mares tail thread, you'll know what it was like when I did get down there. Yes, I had a little weep, but I know I still wasnt well. I picked some crops, did a bit of weeding, came home and slept!
The following sunday (I can only get down on a sunday now), I put black plastic down on the paths to cover the mares tail, did a bit of weeding, lots of harvesting, came home, fell asleep.
Today I nipped down, did a lot of harvesting, did no weeding and the lottie was looking fine!
Don't be dishartened if you cant get down to your lottie - do what and when you can, it will all work out.
Love Bernie x

[piskieinboots]

do you have a pal who could take it over for a couple of seasons or even a year?

You may remember when I started college last September, I passed my lottie onto my neighbour, it is still in my name, I pay the rent, he works it and gets all the produce but giving me some of his excess.

Not sure if that is legal but I can't see why it would be a problem - I don't sub-let it, I pay all the monies due, he gets a free lottie.

[di]

Wayne,you've got to do what's right for you!
Sounds like you've got plenty of produce producing,so don't feel guilty that you're taking a plot that you shouldn't be taking.
If Bean turns out anything like our Ash,you may have a couple of "learning" years ahead of you...ie stuff being harvested far earlier than it should be & ground being "firmed down" when really you wanted it to stay nice and fluffy.BUT...in my experience,it's been well worth it!Daisy & Ash are now 5 & 7 & although they sometimes grumble at the prospect of a day at the lottie,once there they love it!They have their own little patch & also help us out with other little bits.They have learnt far more about growing your own than I would ever have thought possible.They have a little safe play area for when they're bored of helping us & have also made lots of friends with other kiddies on the site.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel...and like you said in OP,even though you've had little time to spare this year,you've still got stuff to harvest.
Are you allowed bonfires/barbies on your site?Maybe cook up some burgers & lay on a few beers for a couple of mates...for AFTER they've given you a hand with a bit of weeding/harvesting?

[HeyWayne]

See - today's a prime example of what I'm talking about.

It's been quite nice outside today - albeit a little grey, but sods law that as it nears time to go home (1hr 20 mins from now) it starts to rain. A little academic tonight as I am getting my hair cut, popping round to my Mums to drop her birthday card and present off (it's her birthday tomorrow), and then popping into my brother-in-laws to pick up our sat-nav that he borrowed that I need to go and collect my wheels tomorrow night with.

Breathe.

On Monday night I had a prime opportunity to get to the allotment. LadyWayne had taken Bean up to Sheffield to stay the night with her parents, so I planned to get down to the allotment and spend a few hours sorting stuff out. I set off from work at just after 5, the sun was shining and I was full of hope.

Halfway home (7 miles - and no I can't cycle it Two_Sheds before you say owt) the heavens opened and had been doing for some time by the size and number of large puddles that were everywhere. It didn't stop raining for some time either.

The weather reports keep telling me that there are "localised showers" expected. I wish they'd chuff off and localise themselves somewhere other than my village!

Just seems at the moment - whenever I do get time to get to the allotment, the weather's absolutley rubbish.

Barbecue summer indeed.

[Two_Sheds]

Just seems at the moment - whenever I do get time to get to the allotment, the weather's absolutley rubbish.

Barbecue summer indeed.

same here ... we've had rain (heavy rain) & windiness every day for over 2 weeks now.
I've not been up the lotty more than about 4 hrs in total ... it's just too horrible