So why did you get an allotment???

[weekendwellies]

I had always wanted to grow my own vegetables and fruit and my garden is too small (and also is a bit too shady for much success) for the amount I would need to supply my family's needs which is my aim for the long term.

I also think I am a bit agoraphobic (can you be just a bit agoraphobic??) ,
Besides going straight to work and back, ((and not now being employed)), and essential shopping trips and appointments, I avoid contact with the outside world (or perhaps it is people I avoid, not too sure ) so I spent a lot of time in the house and just going into the garden. The allotment got me away from the house, its just around the corner, so not far to travel, and a small site so I am quite often there alone, but still, it is out and away from home.

So what made you get an allotment?

.

[Jeanied]

I got mine because the back garden was too small to grow what I wanted to! And part of my plan to lose a bit of weight through the exercise. That was over 15 years ago - still planning!

[zazen999]

I ran out of space here; and me and Mr Z were constantly trying to steal bits of each other's growing space so I put our name down....he was going on about it being too much work but he loves it now!

[Flummery]

We moved away from where our previous allotment was, bought a house with a big garden - en-suite allotment! Fanny's your aunt! Then it was the usual case of, so many seeds, so little ground!

[mogs]

A work colleague had an allotment and brought in some spare veg plants, free for those who wanted to have a go! I started off in pots and containers, then turned part of my garden over to three 2m x 1m beds, then put my name down for half an allotment, then took on a full allotment - it's soooo addictive I tell you - Best thing I ever did given a stressful job, I just lose myself for hours and am no longer the stress head I was - my favourite word has become 'whatever!'

My friend who has never had an interest in gardening, and used to look at me like I was mad, now gleefully takes my spare veg plants to grow in her containers - so here we go again! 'Don't look at the light - but I can't help it'

[binley100]

OH wanted to dig up our lawn to grow veg, So I said why don't you get an allotment. We did and it's mine with some help from him , just like the gardens mine with some help from him . He can have the house

[Nicos]

Our first lottie was a suprise birthday pessie for my OH!
I knew he'd alway fancied one and so I put his name down and one came up just in time for his birthday!!!
His other pressies involved buying stuff to use on it!

( Aren't I thoughtful!!????)

[Liza]

Great thread Wellies,

I spent hours following my Gramps around the garden and his allotment when I was younger and can still taste his peas now. He had a third of an acre at home and a ten pole allotment ( nine kids to feed ! )

My garden is small and I want myself and two kids to eat veg that tastes like it should do etc. Wellies, I also like to get away from people, escape into my own world, I find all my problems seem to fade a bit.

[Snadger]

I aint got a garden. I am in the process of buying a house with a huge garden though! Til then, my two allotments will suit me fine!

PS One thing I will miss if I cease to be an allotmenteer is the comaraderie!

[kiwirach]

same as Liza above, i sent forever following after my grandfather, and wandering alone round his patch, and that never left me. i've known for along time i wanted to grow vege, and i would sometimes think i should get an allotment, but never did. then in 2008 i decided to go for it, and just in time i think!. i got one within a couple of months, and its a 10pole plot, now theres a huge waiting list and they are only handing out half plots. my aim is to supply all my own salad and vegetables, and a good chunk of my fruit.

[kiwirach]

PS One thing I will miss if I cease to be an allotmenteer is the comaraderie!

thats a huge part of the enjoyment isnt it....i can sometimes spend more time chatting than digging!!

[elsie-scot]

Haven't quite got a lottie, only jrecently got a small space on someones lottie while I wait for mine, but had my name on list elsewhere for a while. Converting part of the back lawn in new home into a mini lottie

Uncle had a veggie plot in their garden, remember picking cabbage, it going almost straight in pot and plate, how good it tasted. Also the slave labour of topping and tailing fruit, esp gooseberries, don't like them. Started growing in pots and has increased each year. Love it

[CaroltheCarrot]

thats a huge part of the enjoyment isnt it....i can sometimes spend more time chatting than digging!!

i spent five hours today and only managed three rows of tatties

i got mine because i didnt have enough room at home

[Professor Peabody]

There were several reasons why I went for mine but the main one was so I can have something in common with my Dad because, unlike my brothers, I know nothing about cars and don't care about what happens to Leyton Orient football club.

[di]

Growing up we had a huge garden and I got rather used to having the space.
Living in rented accomodation makes it difficult to grow at home...plus the fact the gardens have never been big enough anyway.

Now that we've got it there's many reasons why I love it that probably I hadn't even considered I wanted to get from it.
The kiddies get to have their little mini adventures that townlife doesn't really offer plus they've got lots of friends up there.If I was gardening at home I think it would be too easy for them to 'get bored' a little too quickly and escape to the house and sit in front of telly or computer...without that option they often spend a whole day(and evening)using their imagination to play.