How far away is your allotment?

[chris]

My mother in law has bought a house (that they are currently renting out - but hopefully moving into soon) in a place where there are allotments available. There's even a sign outside saying so (which is very rare in my area - there's *huge* lists everywhere). These allotments are ~9miles away, around 20mins if that in the car.

I'm on the waiting list for every allotment site in my county (this is the neighbouring county, I guess?) - They've said that they're willing to ask for an allotment for me, if I approach them and they refuse me, but im in a quandry!

Facts are:
a) I know they've had plots available for some time now
b) I don't know their rules, they may not allow me to have one as I don't live in the village where they are - I'd rather be up front with them incase I was ever found out, so to speak.
c) I'm 9th on the closest allotment to me, which is 1mile away... estimated around a year wait from now.

If I could get an allotment, I don't know if the distance would put me off. It's in the opposite direction of where I work, so I couldn't really say I'd go in the morning before work - esp with a little one to look after too.

If your allotment is a similar distance, how do you manage it if you work full time?

The reason for wanting an allotment is the usual (need more growing space, mainly) - but more so that I need to move my main veg beds out of the garden - as it's being redone eventually - as we've a little one (and in the future, no doubt at least another one), so would like the garden to be a play area for them. The other garden I have isn't big enough for me to put the beds that I move out into really.. That's more so my chicken's run about now

Not sure what to do!

[Two_Sheds]

Mine is a 20 min bike ride away - it's in the opposite direction from work & home, but it's near shops so I always combine trips and pick up a few groceries on the way, plus I get my exercise of course.

You could take it on for a year, just to see how it goes. But do give it up to someone else if you can't manage.

Between moves, my 1st lotty was a 40 min cycle each way, and it seemed every time I went it belted down.

[jackie j]

They may not let you have one in your name and should you fall out with the inlaws where would you stand. Here you have to live within the town boundry to get an allotment and similar rules may apply. I would wait to get one nearer tempting as it is to go for one here. Keep nagging where you already have your name down.

[petal]

in my experience, the closer the allotment is, the better.

[Dane End Dolly]

I have to say i am lucky as i am at my allotment within 5mins

[chris]

Hadn't thought about a fall out, I dont think it'd happen but you never know.

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a think might speak to them later in the week to see what they say.

[lottielady]

mine is a couple of mins in the car or 15 mins walk with the dog. I was almost offered one in a neighbouring village and in hindsight glad it didn't happen as it would have been at least a 15 min drive. As the membership person for my allotments I would advise you to keep plugging away plots do come up through the year, on our site we do ask people to leave if their plots aren't cultivated over a period of time, our waiting list is about 3 years at the moment

[zazen999]

I'd take it, bang some spuds and no nonsense veg in [like onions, carrots and beetroot] and keep your name down for your area. You never know how long it will take to get one at yours.

But, you could also try and get your MIL interested by the plan being that you 'work it' now and they work it once you have your own? Or they might be inclined to look after it jointly. Obviously I don't know your MIL so this might be a no-no but you never know!

[pipkins]

Have a look at that coucils website as they should say if they take out of area plotholders, my plot is in another borough and is a 15 min walk

[chris]

I'd take it, bang some spuds and no nonsense veg in [like onions, carrots and beetroot] and keep your name down for your area. You never know how long it will take to get one at yours.

But, you could also try and get your MIL interested by the plan being that you 'work it' now and they work it once you have your own? Or they might be inclined to look after it jointly. Obviously I don't know your MIL so this might be a no-no but you never know!

I think they'd like to do that, but not on their own.. I was thinking that too, as it'd free up a load of space here. I'm going down to see them tomorrow so Ill discuss it then.

[Glutton4...]

Wot Zaz says! Get it in your M or FiL's name, and 'help them out' with it until you get your own!

[chris]

Have a look at that coucils website as they should say if they take out of area plotholders, my plot is in another borough and is a 15 min walk

I can't find what council it belongs too, annoyingly! Going to pop down tomorrow anyway, and ask when I see the inlaws.

Wot Zaz says! Get it in your M or FiL's name, and 'help them out' with it until you get your own!

Aye, I think that's what we'll do if I decide to go for it!

[Jono]

Another one to agree with Zazen. Keep on at the local site though. I'm very fortunate, and the plot is a five minute walk away. You can't beat popping down to the plot to harvest some dinner after a day at work.

[Currysniffa]

I'd take it too, and do what Zaz said.

[grenhouse]

My plot was originally in my dads name because of the same reasons. I 'helped him out' and to be honest nobody took any notice, everyone on the allotments simply assumed it was mine! I've now moved and my allotment is now about a 6 minute drive which is much better for me!