Frustrating

[anton002]

Does anyone else find it frustrating not being able to find enough time to dedicate to there plot ?

I find gardening and generally being at the plot very relaxing and a great stress relief,but being a young business owner i find it frustrating that i don't get to spend as much time there as i would like.

To the point where i have considered closing the business and doing something less time consuming ,it gets to a point where you become stressed about not getting there which is the complete opposite of what i set out to achieve.

Does anyone else find this ? and roughly how many hours would you say you visit your plot for a week?

Anthony

[muddled]

yep.

Unfortunately its not work that keeps me away.
I already had to give that up to take care of my daughter.
It seems the older she gets the more help she needs and the less outside support we can get.

Frustrating indeed.

[spamvindaloo]

It can be annoying when work gets in the way, especially when you get a rest day and it's pouring with rain

I've now found though that I achieve more with the intention of making a short visit of no more than an hour as I am more motivated and with the light nights on their way, an hour is achievable (weather permitting).

Sometimes I feel satisfied that I have achieved something if I just go with the intention of carrying out one specific task and then leaving, even if that task only took me thirty minutes.

[Snadger]

About 10 hours a week for me. An hour each day to sort chooks and an extra 3 hours on Sunday.
I like to plan my time in advance!

[jackarmy]

Not as frustrating as seeing non tended plots whilst waiting for one

[ancee]

Work gets in the way of everything for me! I've started doing bite-size gardening, that way I do a bit, it keeps me sane and the garden stays looking ok. Otherwise I'd wear myself out if I did everything that needed doing. You have to prioritise and I'm afraid, paying the bills and feeding kids makes work a priority for me. I'd spend my day at home in the garden if I could, but unfortunately I have to work my socks off to make ends meet... One day I hope to win the lottery... Just enough so I can stay in the garden . I'm not interested in travelling the world and fancy cars

[Bill Door]

Anton002 I agree with your thoughts entirely.

It is the same whether you work or not. When I worked it was up at 5.50am off to work on 6.50am back home about 5.50pm if lucky. Saturday and sunday down to allotment at first light then back home to go for coffee in town. I did quite a lot and enjoyed those very quiet and peaceful times at the allotment. Now I am not working I can't find the time to get to the allotment as much as it needs. I don't plan as much about the work to be done as I did when working. I don't just get on with the jobs when I am down there.

So the best advice I can offer is to save those precious relaxation minutes and cherish them as best you can. If that means being "open for business" a little later then so be it. Can you re-arrange other things to give you those extra minutes at the allotment? It might mean missing a TV program for an early start in the morning. Only you can make these choices.

I wish you all the best for your relaxation and hope you do give it the top priority in your life. I would add that sometimes I made my best work decisions whilst listening to an audio book and ferreting around in the allotment. My wife always knew when I came to a conclusion about a problem by the big grin on my face.

Remember also that there is an old saying "give an urgent job to a busy person to get it done on time".

Best wishes

Bill

[KevinM67]

I feel your pain !!!

Also - great post Bill Door.

[noviceveggrower]

I know what you mean Anton. I don't work at the moment but I am a taxi service for OH, kids and running round after my mom and dad. I also do housework, shopping, sorting kids out, sorting kids homework out, cleaning, cooking you know the usual stuff.
I use to work but when my little boy need extra support with his speech it meant a change of jobs between me and the OH so I could take Will to see various people.
The thing is as my OH pointed out its a hobby not a chore. I think I get down during the week say about 12 hours to potter about.
Am a bit ashamed to say this but sometimes I have to drag myself there. I hate weeding but I know if its not done then the weeds will take over. But what I have found is if I do a quick list of 5 jobs that need doing, don't make a mega list as it will dis hearten you, and just do them that day or week. After you have done them sit down with a drink and see what you have achieved. Get your pen out and cross the jobs off while you are sat there. Then start with 5 more jobs that you think need doing.
Bet there are plots down at your site that have shed loads more weeds on that yours. Just have a quick walk about and see. I did the other day and it made me feel a bit better about my plot.

[vixylix]

work gets in the way of my life full stop! I grow in my garden but get home in the dark so weekends are my only time I can spend there. Then I'm stuck with the weather, general domestic duties and actually spending some time with my OH. Very frustrating but I fit things in where I can - whilst I get stressed that I wanted to have something done on a certain day and then don't get chance, I find that things sort themselves out eventually.

[anton002]

Thanks for all the replies guys ,its made me a feel a little better knowing mi not the only one.

I think part of the problem is the fact that i like things to be perfect and to the best of my ability ,so i probably put more pressure on myself than is needed.

Great post Bill ,i like you tend to do alot of my thinking whilst i'm there (when i am),im going to look at the way i allocate my time ,and hopefully i can come to happy medium.

Novice - Your right there are plots in worse condition than mine but its like you dont see it ,almost like you have blinkers on and you just run around not noticing what is going on around you.Also i have high standards and when i do something i like to do it to the best of my ability (which don't get me wrong is good) but can be frustrating when you cant find the time to achieve it.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Anton!

Pretty much like yourself, when at work, have to commit totally to it unfortunately, Hey, that's what they pay me to do!

But regarding the plot! and I,m one of the worlds worse for wanting it to be "Pristine" n "Tidy"

Yeah! You have to strike an "Happy Medium" I don't always get done what I want done in one session, so a little compromise and priority needs to take place!

Above all else! It's an "Hobby" Not so much a good one at times, but very enjoyable and rewarding when as "Hanible" states!

"I love it when a plan come's together"

Dictate to your plot what time is needed, don't let your plot dictate to you!
It,s not a competition! And as others have said, once on mine I just "Knock my neck in"
And forget all else!

What an escape!

[Nicos]

At one point we had 3 full plots.
OH was working a 90 hr week...me a 60 hr week and had young teenagers to drive everywhere.

In the height of the summer I'd say that to do the basic minimum. but keeping on top of everything...rushing round like 2 headless chickens.... ( we'd go down together or separately) I worked out that you can manage a full plot for 7 hrs a week ( so we managed to find 21 hrs between us per week)
Not an ideal situation- but we had very little other social life.

As Daeno says- it was a hobby/project , and we spent some quality time working as a team , fresh air in a wonderful environment ( whatever the weather!!!!) and we all ate healthily.

Yes- we were very pushed, but I'd do it again like that if we had to.

But we don't!
...so now we both live on the breadline, eating and living healthier/less stressful lives over here...but sadly minus our children now they have flown the nest.

Having said all that- if I had those years again, I'd like to think that in hindsight, we'd have stretched ourselves less at work and financially and had more 'calm' time together.