And the Cherry on the Cow-Pat Is.........

[Creemteez]

I'm going to lose my lottie!
My arrangement with a neighbour to grow veg on a piece of redundant land he has is in severe jeopardy.
The piece of ground adjoins three properties - none of which belong to him and one of which has recently changed hands.
My "landlord" was approached today by the new occupier who offered him 10k for my little lottie as HE wants to use it to grow vegetables!!!!
I don't mind telling you that I have cried more than you would have thought appropriate over the news.
After a whole years back-breaking work to transform what was a neglected scrap of couch grass infested scrub into a little vegetable garden that I was REALLY proud of.
Apparently this new bloke "doesn't want to tread on anyone's toes" and is willing to let me have the next growing season! Big fat hairy deal!
What about all my long term plans? My newly dug Raspberry bed? All the compost, love and sweat I've dug into the ground?
I'm getting cross now- that he thinks he can just swan in - flash the cash - and bob's yer uncle all the grafting's been done for him!
Well I tell you this. If I do have to go I'm taking EVERYTHING with me right down to the woodchips on the paths!

[binley100]

Damm right you will and we'll come and help you move it . Words fail me HOW DARE HE.
and If he insists I'll send you some mare's tail to plant when you leave .
And he thinks you'll cultivate it for another year so that he can swan in and reap the benefits. I don't think so . I'm getting very angry now just thinking about it.

[Creemteez]

Oooh! Mare's Tail! I am liking this idea! I happen to know that Someone in the village is currently fighting off Japanese Knot Weed too.....

[binley100]

Go for it. Don't get mad get even .

[mogs]

Would squatter's rights apply?!?!? How does one become a squatter - do you just squat down on the land and refuse to budge 'til the bailliffs come?? Worth a try??

[Creemteez]

Let this be a warning to all those considering an informal private "loan" of ground to cultivate.
I don't really blame my landlord. Put in the same position, I'd find it very hard to turn my nose up to 10k.
It's the sneaky rotten scoundrel that's offering the money that I've got a big fat chip on my shoulder about!

[FionaH]

I have knotweed, you want some?

[kirsty b]

How horrible for you hun. I know where mares tail can be found if you need more

[lizzylemon]

Big hug - sorry for this new episode of cherry topped cow pat. I dont think I have any horrid weeds, maybe some belladonna on the back fence, but I do have shed loads of rabbits that need a new home.

[SarzWix]

Oh CT What a sh*tty time you're having I think you should probably buy a lottery ticket, you must surely be due something amazingly good to happen to counterract all this babbage.
Is there any possibility of finding a farmer nearby willing to rent you a patch? Sometimes we get grazing land offered to rent in the local paper, maybe if you find one of them you might persuade them to let you have a veg patch on it instead of a horse?

I'm really feeling for you; I went through the wringer with close family losses and hideous illnesses a couple of years ago, and then other sh*t lands on your doorstep and the emotional capability to deal with it just desserts you for a while I can only say, that for me, it did get better, and some good stuff did happen - I got offered my lottie for one.

Hang on in there xxx

And for legal reasons, I must add - please don't plant any illegal weeds in there

[Pies]

10k for a "little lotty" is overpriced watch out for a planing application

[Two_Sheds]

Let this be a warning to all those considering an informal private "loan" of ground to cultivate. I don't really blame my landlord.

That's the trouble when you have nothing on paper

If it was me, I'd be writing a letter to the landlord and the new guy, saying what you've just told us.
It may do no good, but they will know how you feel, at least.

10k for a "little lotty" is overpriced watch out for a planing application

Yeah, I did think that.

[Nicos]

Heart breaking after all that hard work.
I feel a bit like that having to give up my UK lottie after the humungous effort ( and £) we put in digging in bunny proof fencing, building raised beds, planting large fruit trees etc etc.
...BUT we're giving ours up out of choice
so...I can imagine how you must feel.
If you want to be awkward- are there any old trees on/next to the land which you ( or better still a friend) can request a TPO ( tree preservation order). That'd make it more difficult to build on if that's their intention eventually.

(and yes...Sarz if right- it's actually illegal to knowingly spread Japanese knot weed)

[pipkins]

Just to say "sorry " your situation is pants and I feel for you.

Hope you get something sorted!

[Creemteez]

Don't worry, I wouldn't do the spreading of pernicious weeds.
As for the possibility of planning permission, my landlord had applied for permission to build a cottage on there some years back, but was refused on the grounds that it was too close to the other properties. Wouldn't make any difference to me anyway if I'm to be evicted anyway.
It's just that it's so close to home - just a short walk up the hill, so I could sprint up there for half an hour and get my head back together if I'd had a bad day with Mum.
There is a possibility of a bit of land at the other end of the village, but I'd be in the same boat with a private landlord who could chuck me off whenever he fancied.
The nearest official allotments are half an hour in the car away, and I wouldn't be able to justify the time.
But thanks for all your supportive comments. I guess I've just got to sprnd my time planning a wind-down now. God knows what I am going to do with my shed, greenhouse, coldframe and compost bins.