Allotment etiquette

[number 1 suspect]

Hi Everyone
I have a couple who have a plot next to mine. They are a bit stand offish and very often ignore us if we are working alongside each other. The problem I have is finding a tactful way of telling them to stop walking across my plot to get to theirs. I'm also sure that I'm loosing crops to them as well but I cant prove that one....... YET!

Any advice welcome.

Number 1 suspect
Martin

[Nicos]

Gooseberry bushes??? or fencing / compost/coldframes/shed/greenhouse to block access?? if you don't feel you can approach them?? ( they will then have to find easier access-probably accross someone elses plot!! )

We have neighbours at home who don't chat , but have come to realise that not everyone is a chatterbox like myself and some people just enjoy their own space and peace and quiet, or are just shy.
On allotments, some people go for the peace and quiet, so may seem aloof when they are just minding their own business and just giving you the respect of your own personal space. That's one thing you'll need to suss out before tackling this problem. Because you have said nothing so far, they may just presume you don't mind??
Handle it tactfully as you never know when you need someone to water your plants when you are on hols!!

Best to do something though as it will just irritate you more and more...and they are probably just very nice people who are just a bit thoughtless.

Good luck!!

[yoanbob]

its a tough one isnt it,
dont envy you, tread carefully, and if all else fails get some blackberrys.
good luck

[Earthbabe]

You could also try having a word with your site rep who may have had more contact with them in the general course of his/her duties.

It is extremely thoughtless behaviour especially if you have paths between plots. But not everyone in this world does common courtesy.

Bit of a difficult one with the veggies. Again your site rep/manager may be able to help. We have CCTV on our site, but I appreciate that isn't always the case. Short of catching them red (or green) handed I'm not sure what you can do.

I have also found that not everyone wants to chat but usually most people will at least say hello (even my very non-chatty almost paranoid neighbour! at home) everyone I've met on my site will exchange greetings if nothing else.

The other suggestions for blocking things off may help too.

Good luck

[nick the grief]

Just be polite and ask them not to walk on you plot as you don't want it to become an official complaint.

If they ignore you make an official complaint to the Site committee (via the secretary) they should get a warning. If they still persist another complaint will get them evicted. but hopefully they won't get that far.

I'm afraid thats a near as I get to diplomacy. I normaly ask how they'll manage to garden from a wheelchair & they take the hint !!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Master of diplomacy as usual Nick! dexterdog

[Snadger]

Sorry but I've got to disagree with you all on this one....I come to my allotment for peace and quiet, not for confrontation

So what?, if they cut across your plot its not the end of the world! I would imagine your plot is big enough and that the damage they would do is minimal. Its not as if they are having a five-a-side game on it for cripes sake.

Have a discreet word with other plot holders and find out if there is a long standing right of way or if the previous tennant had an agreement with them

Life's too short to be bickering with the neighbors

Loads of people cut across my plot but it doesn't bother me, I just watched where they walked and put a path in for them!

No problem! When I visit them I walk across there's too and there is well worn little paths everywhere

My advice is, loosen up, and try to live in harmony

[nick the grief]

It's Bad manner Snadger. You wouldn't expect people to walk accross your garden to get to their house would you? You rent the plot of land & as part of your tenancy aggreement you don't have the right to walk over other peoples plots. I bet if you walked over theirs they wouldn't like it.

You don't have to cause hassle (my reply was tongue in cheek) but we recently had a problem on our site that started like this & then escalated to a brawl almost. Like you I just want to go & work my plot (or maybe just sit in the shed & drink Tea) but you don't want intrusions like this.

I'm of my soapbox now so I'll say no more

[Snadger]

Some of my paths are shown below. people used to walk willy nilly over my plot...now they use the paths!

[nick the grief]

A willy thats nilly is no use to anyone

[number 1 suspect]

have to agree with everyone bar your good self Snadger. I was brought up on that saying that politness opens doors that money will never budge. Chilling out is one thing but downright ignorance will not be tolerated. Have started on the fence and goosberry bush method. I dont do it to ithers so i dont expect them to do it to me. I do my best to get on with everyone and if they dont want to talk so be it I dont have a problemn with that but to deliberatly walk across freshly dug ground is pushing it a bit. I know about confrontation as my job is to teach people how to deal with it verbaly and physically. Im a self defence instructor so I do know what to do in a confrontational situation Thats what I'm trying to avoid by doing other things first!

Thanks everyone for the input on this problem Even your good self Snadger
:-) No offence intended :-)

[Snadger]

It's Bad manner Snadger. You wouldn't expect people to walk accross your garden to get to their house would you? You rent the plot of land & as part of your tenancy aggreement you don't have the right to walk over other peoples plots. I bet if you walked over theirs they wouldn't like it.

You don't have to cause hassle (my reply was tongue in cheek) but we recently had a problem on our site that started like this & then escalated to a brawl almost. Like you I just want to go & work my plot (or maybe just sit in the shed & drink Tea) but you don't want intrusions like this.

I'm of my soapbox now so I'll say no more

Sorry nick, but you must be a very standoffish lot in Warwickshire!!

We are maybe different from the norm (Geordies) on our site> After being there nearly six months I know each plot holder on a first name basis and they all cut across each others plot, usually feeding someones chickens or watering someone elses greenhouse plants or leeks
Everyone pops into each others hut for a cuppa or if they see you struggling with something they will offer a hand or advice. Bit like it should be really!

[Snadger]

A willy thats nilly is no use to anyone

Confucious?

[number 1 suspect]

i think Nick needs help :-)

[Snadger]

have to agree with everyone bar your good self Snadger. I was brought up on that saying that politness opens doors that money will never budge. Chilling out is one thing but downright ignorance will not be tolerated. Have started on the fence and goosberry bush method. I dont do it to ithers so i dont expect them to do it to me. I do my best to get on with everyone and if they dont want to talk so be it I dont have a problemn with that but to deliberatly walk across freshly dug ground is pushing it a bit. I know about confrontation as my job is to teach people how to deal with it verbaly and physically. Im a self defence instructor so I do know what to do in a confrontational situation Thats what I'm trying to avoid by doing other things first!

Thanks everyone for the input on this problem Even your good self Snadger
:-) No offence intended :-)

Hope we're still pal's number 1 , cos there's always two sides to an argument