How far away is your allotment?

[WendyC]

I am lucky as my plot is about a 10 minute walk away and I know if it was further I'd not get there often enough, especially in the summer when plants need regular attention. I do drive there if I can't avoid it, usually when something large or heavy needs transporting. I do try to walk or cycle there as it seems to me having to drive to a plot defeats the point to some extent of growing your own to reduce food miles, carbon footprint etc. With that thought I think I'd wait until the local one came up. However it's easy for me to say when I'm not waiting. Good luck!

[bubblewrap]

5 minuets walk.
But I'm not the nearest on our site there are 3 or 4 people who live 0nly 1 or 2 minuets away.

[Alison]

About 2 miles away but the closest ones to me aren't much closer (although they would be on route to work for me). Vary between driving and cycling there. I think the closer the better really as it makes it easier to just pop there when you need something.

[hailtryfan]

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.

Wow. 9 miles is a long way!

I guess you need to decide how much you need the extra growing space and how much work you would have to do on the allotment. An 18 mile round trip is going to be expensive in fuel and will make any veg you grow much less economic.

While you are waiting for some local allotments could you knock on some neighbours doors and ask if they can spare some of their garden space and split the crops with them? You could even offer to rent the space from them.

I'm very lucky as my allotment is a 5 minute walk. I don't have a garden though but do manage to squeeze a fair number of pots onto my flat's balcony

[chris]

Wow. 9 miles is a long way!

I guess you need to decide how much you need the extra growing space and how much work you would have to do on the allotment. An 18 mile round trip is going to be expensive in fuel and will make any veg you grow much less economic.

While you are waiting for some local allotments could you knock on some neighbours doors and ask if they can spare some of their garden space and split the crops with them? You could even offer to rent the space from them.

I'm very lucky as my allotment is a 5 minute walk. I don't have a garden though but do manage to squeeze a fair number of pots onto my flat's balcony

Yes, I'm lucky in the fact that the roads are pretty straight, and open country wide roads so it's easy to drive economically. It's literally a 1-2min walk away from the MILs house - and we do visit them a lot (and I mean A LOT!! ) so from that point of view it'll be good. Still haven't decided. It'll make loosing the veg beds from my garden easier.

I think I'll speak to them tomorrow and see how it goes from there.

[chris]

Oh missed the bit about neighbours gardens. I already grow in my gardens, but there's not enough space really. my neighbour grows her own stuff, and flowers so she'd not be able to spare any, her neighbour has patio-ed her garden, so no look there.

The rest I've no idea about as I don't really see them. Infact, I only saw one other person down the road after his car slid off his driveway into mine in the snow. Not asking him1!! hehe.

[gothmaga]

My allotment is abouty 5 mins in the car but when I get the official go ahead for a shed then will be on my bike as wont have to carry all my junk with me

[Scarlet]

18 mile round trip is a long way when you have little ones! Priorities start to change when they get a little older, espcially when when you get two(!) time is tight, clubs have to be squeezed in (football, rugby, trampoline, gymnastics, swimmimng lessons) nursery, kids parties etc - grandparents sudenly have to visit you instead!

[chris]

Yes, good point Scarlet - that's what I'm thinking now.. still in two minds. I don't want to miss out on growing this year, but at the same time if number 2 comes along... eeep !

decisions... decisions... I don't want to be one of those people who neglect the plot and loose interest - as we had a very difficult time with our daughter now (still doesn't sleep that great, really! - shes 17 months now). Having to think long and hard about it. Still more fun than having to do actual work.. I like to day dream

[Dane End Dolly]

I have to say that the further an allotment is from your home and the more inconvenient it is to get there, the least likely you are to tend it, it will be ok at first but as time goes on and other things start to take priority (life seems to do that to us) it is harder to keep the momentum

Kx

[chris]

Yep, I've just got some more contact details for some ~3 miles away. I think that's more manageable - but still holding out for the 1 mile one. Going to pop down on Sunday and have a chat with her again to reinforce how egar I am

So, I think I've decided against it now. I've plenty of pots I can use, and an auto watering system to setup - I'm sure that'll keep me busy for a year odd. thanks for all the views though, appreciate it.

[Two_Sheds]

I have to say that the further an allotment is from your home and the more inconvenient it is to get there, the least likely you are to tend it, it will be ok at first but as time goes on and other things start to take priority (life seems to do that to us) it is harder to keep the momentum

Kx

I totally agree (having been there and done it). It just becomes a millstone round your neck, and you start to resent having to go there and only having time to weed, weed, weed

[HeyWayne]

Over and above how far away they are I'd suggest trying to find out if they have sheds on site.

My plot is only at the other end of the village (about a mile or so), but as we're not allowed sheds I have to load up the car and take everything with me, and the same on the return journey. Adding both time and inconvenience.

I'd suggest that if I had a shed I would be more inclined/able to "pop in" en route to/from somewhere. As it is, I have to plan visits - meaning they happen less often than I'd like.

[jonohanson]

Mines about 6 miles away, but I share with friends and its also 6 miles for them the other way.

Used to be less than half a mile away from work, so I went lots at lunches. Then my work moved 30 miles

[chris]

Over and above how far away they are I'd suggest trying to find out if they have sheds on site.

My plot is only at the other end of the village (about a mile or so), but as we're not allowed sheds I have to load up the car and take everything with me, and the same on the return journey. Adding both time and inconvenience.

I'd suggest that if I had a shed I would be more inclined/able to "pop in" en route to/from somewhere. As it is, I have to plan visits - meaning they happen less often than I'd like.

good point, where I want to i know has sheds.. elese I'd probably bury a wheelie bin, or similar deep bin with a lid on and put the (cheapish) tools in there, perhaps with a lock on maybe.