I'm having a new allotment maybe...??

[SarrissUK]

I have been quite firm with myself that I don't want an allotment. I've just finished setting up my back garden for growing veg and got the infrastructure of that finished this year.

I got a new job three month ago. That company manages the allotments on behalf of the council, so it was inevitable that I'd hear people talk about them every now and again.

I went on the website to check what plots were available last weekend just because I had a a spare few minutes, of course...... and found that the ratio of rented vs available plots is about 40/60. I gave up my plot there when there was discussions about putting a football stadium there, and it seems so many others did too. The discussions about the football stadium has been taken elsewhere now, so my reasoning to give my plot up has disappeared.

My only other reason to give it up was that it was too big for just me to keep on top of. Still, a friend at work said he'd bring me up there to have a look at the plots, especially to see if there's any that have recently been given up that have any decent infrastructure left on them. Turns out there's one in particular that caught my attention! It has lots of weeds, but raised beds that can be moved around, carpet that will have suppressed a lot already so under that it will be ready for chippings for paths, and a massive chicken shed at the back that is split in half and could easily be used as a shed, and the larger part for chickens.

But... it's still too big for me to manage on my own. I have asked around and none of my friends seem interested at all. Until yesterday! A friend from uni (I am studying part time with Open University) came over and she spotted the humongous trombo in my kitchen, and when I mentioned the possibility of an allotment she seemed keen! So we're off to see the allotments at the weekend!

Please keep your fingers crossed that she likes the idea of it!

[Chestnut]

sounds like a good plot, but only you will know whether it’s manageable with/around the rest of your life.

Also, have a look at the site rules. Does it all have to be cultivated with annual veg? There may be ways you can make it ‘lower maintenance ‘ if you want to. You can add the greenhouse and chickens when you retire ;-)

Some beds under green manure each season, or flowers (few packs annual seeds).
If flowers allowed, some good pollinator perennials like buddleia).
A patch of comfrey (sterile kind, to avoid it seeding everywhere) to enrich compost/make comfrey tea

[MissPea]

How exciting! I can understand your hesitation doing it yourself, I find it difficult at the moment carrying out everything myself. will be fun to have someone help you! good luck!

[veggiechicken]

Go for it, Sarriss., with or without help.
Its an opportunity that may not come along again.

[SarrissUK]

That's just it though VC - there are over two hundred plots in total on that site, and I reckon there's 120 that are available, so plenty of opportunity. I will go up there with my uni friend at the weekend, so I'll post again very soon after, I suspect lol

[SarrissUK]

So I went back up to the plot this afternoon. I've taken some pictures, that I sent to the girl that wanted to share it with me. She thinks I'm nuts lol







There are lots of tiny little raised beds all over the place, with hoops on them, which would've been useful if they were a bit larger, but plenty of other stuff there that will be very useful. Large chicken shed, netted cage, compost areas, water butts, a few apple trees etc. I can see lasagne gardening coming handy here, so I'm off out to collect leaves, buy straw and lots of manure haha

Am I mad??

[SarrissUK]

[veggiechicken]

Mad??? You ??????? Who ever would think that!
I quite like tiny beds as you can clear one at a time and feel that you've achieved something. You could join a few together if you need a bigger bed (Double, Queen or K|ngsize).
Is your friend still interested? She could take on a few of the beds for herself and that might not see so daunting.

[SarrissUK]

I think she does still want to do it VC, and I hope she does, because it's just so much easier when there's two of you. And we get the plot half price, cause she has tax credits, which I don't.
And yes, I think she might like the smaller beds.
I'll suggest to her to join these forums - she might as well be steered towards the best forums out there!

[veggiechicken]

Tell her that we need more entries in the Tromba competition next year - that should do it!

[SarrissUK]

haha When she visited me for the first time, not long ago, she spotted my huge tromba in the kitchen and was astounded when I said I'd grown it in the garden. I think if she saw your Henry..... well THAT should definitely do it! hhaha

[Chrissyteacup]

How exciting Sarriss!

[Snoop Puss]

How about getting in chickens and moving them bed to bed? They'd clear quite a lot for you by spring, effort free, and add muck while they were at it.