The Old un's are the best.

[Rhona]

Our allotment site is huge, and each plot is very private, with 6 ft hedges around each, and proper front doors to each one (it's a bit wacky), so we really only know our immediate neighbours. There's a driveway around the whole site so you do see people come and go. Most are young(ish), quite a few families, all very friendly. Parties/barbeques etc. tend to happen quite frequently, and so there's a friendly vibe, with most people respecting everyone else's space.

Our old plot had a few 'oldies' on - just went about their business, very generous with seedings and the like. One or two were very nice, and had a wealth of knowledge but were very apologetic about passing it on - each line would start with "I really hope that you don't think I'm interfering, but..." They were always paranoid that they'd be seen as telling you what to do, when they were just being helpful!

As with everything, down to the individuals. Old, young, whatever, some are welcoming and kind; others less so. In my experience, it's never been an age thing though.

[smallfrog]

Just found out that Brush doesn't eat any of his veg!!!! C
Came away from the plot an hour after i intended after talking about onions, wire worms and not being a true Rothwell gal if i didn't grow new pots for Roll fair. Told him i was from over the boarder (desborough) and he has since disowned me.

[Alison]

Our Wal may be a bit of a joker but he has a wealth of knowledge which he shares quite readily like his produce, and he is very approachable . I find it's some of the younger newer people who have their head up their @rses and are not so welcoming.

No probs with that sort of thing, but if when I'd first got my plot somebody had told me that I had to do something or that something else was against the rules for a laugh then I'd have been very upset and felt unwelcome. Would have found it off putting. All seem OK on our plot, some quieter than others and some doing things in what seems to me to be a strange way but they probably think the same about me so no probs.

[CaroltheCarrot]

When I first got ny plot some of them were very unwelcoming indeed and I was tempted to chuck in the towel,I got some advice and support from members of this forum and just kept my head down and got on with it.I am in with the older established plots and think they thought I was just playing at it.

Much friendlier now they see I am actually working it Best piece of advice was from old boy in plot next to " Dinny listen tae a word they say hen,they all talk sh*te" I went into the shed and laughed my head off

[di]

Definitely do!

Apparently they're not so keen on the smell nor taste of human wee...which is understandable...but it doesn't work if you only put it on the soil:eek

That said,it's probably yet another of their wind ups.I've given up knowing when they're giving serious advice and when they're just winding me up

[womble]

Apparently they're not so keen on the smell nor taste of human wee...which is understandable...but it doesn't work if you only put it on the soil:eek

That said,it's probably yet another of their wind ups.I've given up knowing when they're giving serious advice and when they're just winding me up

Well there's nothing I can find on the internet about it. That's not to say it might not work.
Urine means nothing to me, I use it on a wide range of my crops.

So what, do you know if they (apparently ) spray it on?

[smallfrog]

I was had by said old un he told me not to park in his car parking space. I got a bit flustered thinking i'd done wrong. But was soon told by all other old un's not to pay any attention to him.
I think they see it as a right of passage we'll push the newbies and see what happens. I didn't take it personally but then i tend to send the newbies at work off looking for long waits and the like.

[di]

Well there's nothing I can find on the internet about it. That's not to say it might not work.
Urine means nothing to me, I use it on a wide range of my crops.

So what, do you know if they (apparently ) spray it on?

'apparently'()...yes.
I've got no problems with it going on the compost....but on the leaves!

[womble]

'apparently'()...yes.
I've got no problems with it going on the compost....but on the leaves!

Well I was going to try rhubarb spray on them this year, to see if it kept them off.
Would I prefer dangerous poisonous rhubarb spray, or sterile inert urine? I think I'll go for the urine
Worth a go anyway.

[di]

If it's your own I guess it's not so bad...just don't fancy someone elses

[pipkins]

We have some lovely old boys on our site, we have been adopted by one and he made the council give us the other half of our plot(formerly his). There is also another who thinks the "woman types" are taking over.

As someone else said it is the young new people who are full of attitude and this has got some of the older folks back up.

[weekendwellies]

As someone else said it is the young new people who are full of attitude and this has got some of the older folks back up.

Thats the way of the world though aint it?
The oldies think they know how things ought to be and the youngens come along with newfangled ideas. I make a point of listening politely to all their worldly wisdoms, not just about gardening, but about life too, and then come to my own decisions.

I think that their backs only go up when you don't do them the courtesy of listening to them. If you show that you have considered their point of view and then come to your own opinion, they respect that. That is my philosophy on life in general anyway.

[womble]

I don't do it on an allotment and I do miss the exchange of ideas, even thought I know some people in real life who GYO.
Part of the problem is with new growers, they've read some books and think they know it all, they want to grow everything perfectly organically and all bright and beautiful. I've been there myself

And then the oldsters who've done it they're entire life and they don't want to change, don't want to know new ideas. I do think this is in the minority though, most people I have met who have gardened their entire life are more than happy to learn something new, although they might well have been there before and know it doesn't work.

I love the vine because its a friendly place and I get the sorts of ideas exchange I can't get on a non existent allotment.