Should I go for this Allotment?

[Effigy]

I would really like an Allotment, but I can't find any in my area, let alone go on a waiting list.

I have been told I can have one in a neighbouring town, but it is 20 miles from where I live.

Is this going to be a problem, do you think?
My heart is saying "Yeah, go for it!" but my head thinks "how realistic is it having to travel 20 miles each way to visit"

I don't want to be one of those 'flash-in-the-pan' types that I have read about on here - I want it to be a long term prospect, but at the moment its my only prospect.

What to do

[mrdinkle]

Hey Frank!

I am in a similar position, although I have been offered a bit of my inlaws garden 15 miles away.

I am still a bit iffy about it as 15 miles is a long way to go esp if the weather is bad.

How often do you think you could seriously commit yourself to doing the journey? Do you travel past that way already (for work etc)....

It's a question only you can answer dude.

[Effigy]

Hey Frank!

I am in a similar position, although I have been offered a bit of my inlaws garden 15 miles away.

I am still a bit iffy about it as 15 miles is a long way to go esp if the weather is bad.

How often do you think you could seriously commit yourself to doing the journey? Do you travel past that way already (for work etc)....

It's a question only you can answer dude.

It will be about 15 minutes from where I work, so in theory there is the chance of nipping down during lunchtimes or after work, but is this going to be devoting enough time?

[SarzWix]

It really depends how desperate you are for a plot?! And whether you were planning on doing it yourself, or if you have family you want to get involved? If you're going to have to drive home to pick up the family, then drive back in the direction you've just come from... That's going to get fairly frustrating!
But if you're going straight from work, with a change of clothes in the car or whatever and work til it gets dark, then that could work ok. Only you can decide if that's practical though - I know I wouldn't be amused if my OH disappeared to an allotment for ages after work every day...

[zazen999]

Hi
I'd keep looking for one in your town; and use the 20 miles away lottie to grow staples; that don't need alot of work [apart from weeding] and grow it through plastic to keep the watering/weeding work down. I'm thinking carrots, onions, spuds and brassicas for the time being. Lots of fleece to keep the bugs away!

You could probably visit once or twice a week to keep it maintained and grow any more fussy stuff at home.

Not ideal; but needs must!

[Matt.]

I suppose it depends how desperate you are?

For me its way too far to travel unless there was a good reason for going there such as you work nearby etc. Maybe keep looking and pushing for something more local. Some overgrown land on existing sites perhaps?

[ConstantGardener]

you can keep an allotment going on half-an-hour a day quite easily, so the lunchbreak/after work option seems pretty good to me.

Alternatively why not put the word out in your local area and start demanding your own local allotment site? As I understand it, so long as six people or more have expressed an interest in getting an allotment, the local council are duty bound to provide a site.

[vegnut]

I personally wouldn't go that far, You also have to think about the carbon footprint that everyone is going on about these days. It's an awful amount of fuel to use, you could buy organic locally instead. I would be inclined to stick my name down on a waiting list for a local site anyway, and try what ConstantGardener suggested. Whatever way you go with it. Good Luck.

[Seahorse]

My allotment isn't very far away but I'm a non driver, so it takes me about 30 minutes each way on foot - perhaps comparable to a 20 mile drive? Of course closer would be easier and more convenient but I don't find it the end of the world either. I don't work outside the home though, so I'm not tied to any particular schedule (other than school runs).

[StrawberryMan]

driving 20 miles there and 20 miles back will cost you a fortune in petrol and a lot of stress driving and what about the time involved i think you would be mad

[Sue]

Hi
Mine's not so far away from home but not being a car driver it is a bus ride away so takes 1/2 an hour to get there - if the bus is on time. I'm lucky in that I work at home so was able to rearrange my work to allow me to work up there for full days rather than a bit of time here and a bit there. I've no alternative, it was the easiest allotment to get to via public transport and once I got in the routine it's fine. You do need a shed though, can't keep carrying everything backwards and forwards and it's somewhere to shelter in the cold and wet.
Is a bus an alternative?
Its tempting to go for it I know, but if you're committed to a five day week, can foresee problems for you - can you do flexitime? Hope you can work it out.
Sue

[davefromthechipie]

I would really like an Allotment, but I can't find any in my area, let alone go on a waiting list.

I have been told I can have one in a neighbouring town, but it is 20 miles from where I live.

Is this going to be a problem, do you think?
My heart is saying "Yeah, go for it!" but my head thinks "how realistic is it having to travel 20 miles each way to visit"

I don't want to be one of those 'flash-in-the-pan' types that I have read about on here - I want it to be a long term prospect, but at the moment its my only prospect.

What to do

If you really are commited ,And have the time every other day to drive 40miles round trip go for it . if Not let a local have it and find somthing closer .
But to be frank If your working i cant see anyone having the time to drive that ,work and spend the time needed on site.

[Effigy]

Well, all things considered, I think I'm going to pass this one up..

I will need to explore my local area more and find a waiting list to join. So frustrating though

Thanks for all the comments.

[nick the grief]

I think you've made the right Choice Frank. My plot is 5 mins from home but by the time I get home I'm snookered at night so I have to rely on the weekends when you have other conflicts not to mention it always seems to rain!

I would be very surprised if there weren't any plots in Stafford so try contacting the council or asking at the local garden centres/nurseries

[SarzWix]

There's a whole buch of links below, as I don't know whereabouts you live, I don't know which will be relevant to you. It seems like allotments in your area are mostly administered by Parish Councils rather than the District Council, so you need to look and see which 'Parishes' are closest to you, then ring the clerk of each parish council for info on allotments, and the contact details of the person who runs them. It'll be a long-winded job, but I'm sure you'll find that there are some tucked away somewhere that you hadn't noticed. Failing that, look out in your local paper for reports of meetings of local gardening clubs/societies, and go along to a meeting & ask there.

Good luck

http://www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/downl...allotments.pdf
allotments@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk

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