Setting up starter plots - any advice?

[veggiechicken]

Maybe there are some folk on the waiting list who would be happy to have a quarter plot permanently? You'd shift 4 people off the waiting list and shorten the list for those who want larger plots. You're also bringing disused plots back into use - though I'm puzzled how you can have disused plots and a long waiting list?

[Elfeda]

Instead our admins check if the person is interested in half/full or sharer plots and then keep them into waiting list till then. and that way they can maintain the que waiting lest with less hassle.

[Bigmallly]

For a total newcomer, I would offer an 1/8th plot. That way they get a feel of a GYO plot without getting married to it. It would then be an easy decision for them to move to a larger plot (maybe a 1/2 plot or full plot) or move on. Sorry if I'm creating more work for you................

[sparrow100]

Maybe there are some folk on the waiting list who would be happy to have a quarter plot permanently? You'd shift 4 people off the waiting list and shorten the list for those who want larger plots. You're also bringing disused plots back into use - though I'm puzzled how you can have disused plots and a long waiting list?

I'm only asking for people's experience of starter plots really, there isn't any debate about permanent quarter plots on our site. I've heard of starter plots on other sites and wanted to find out more about how they are run to share with the Committee on my site as an option we could consider.

Without going into a big history, on the original plan there were a few half plots which have never been cultivated, they were deemed unworkable at the time of handover from the Council. We cleared those recently to start bringing them into use & drainage has been sorted - a v big job for us to do. So in a way these are 'new' plots.

[Elfeda]

Sparrow, rather to giving them as quarter starters, why don't you make it as community starters plot (whole lot) and let the aspirants decide if they want join with that before they get the plot for themselves. this way the space would be used effectively. they woulld be ready for moving to own something to themselves only, mean time the community one gets going on. you can give them small patch like quarter or less but not owned by them specifically


I see community allotment gardening is big success on our site, I am tempted to join with them as they welcome as many people at the moment though they are doing very well . but my work in progress 1st plot and yet to start second plot are giving no time.

May be they want to keep growing the community while securing the personal small plots. please let me know incase more info or pros and cons you like to more.

[sparrow100]

That is a great idea Elfeda, but it's not worked around here because it seems to be dependent on one person really leading and when they move on it collapses. I'm so sorry to sound negative about all these suggestions - I think they are good and have suggested some of them already, and the rest of the Committee just aren't interested. I'm only one person on the Committee and they've been there a lot longer than me so have experienced different trials.

So I am back to starter plots. Or not. Ho hum.

[Elfeda]

Let it collapse, and get new leads all the time. your intention to get it used by new users would be served. there is always some uncertainity with any normal allotment holder, so we get good number of plot available every season and some times many leave their plot by end of 1st year only , so this is not worse either. only concern is one of you need to track the group only if you are bothered.

otherwise just give it a try and see what happens, Ideally I would expect one of you guide them avoiding any desputes by leaving it to their own. so one dedicated volunteer is good to have, you may find one if you try from the current volunteers are a new volunteer from the current plot holders.

[Elfeda]

yup you may go ahead with starter plots and let them do simple thing till they get their own, that way good to keep it simple