How much time does an allotment need?

[Alison]

see if you can find the book The half hour allotment by lia leendertz. It's a good read with pointers for using your time efficiently. Basically, it's just planning what you're going to do before/when you get there and not being distracted when you're there.

Personally I hated that book, it seemed like a good idea when I was first given it but its ethos was totally at odds with what I wanted. The recommendations to only plant high value crops makes sense to some extent but if you have a plot you can grow lovely potatoes and I like being self sufficient in veggies rather than just eating posh ones

Re time on the lottie, I took a considerable amount of time setting up and am still not 100% there. Think I had about 2 weeks off work the first year and now take a week every spring plus a few other days here and there. Will be up there at least one evening a week when it's light enough although that is mainly harvesting. Will also probably do about a day and a half at weekends but it does vary. Really need to get on top of the paths this weekend and have a couple of beds in need of urgent attention or the plants will get covered. However many of these jobs can be done as and when, the more important bit is getting it in a fit state to start with. It's easy to underestimate how quickly grass and weeds take over. One of the plots on our site was very productive the year before last but not taken as much care of last year due to ill heath. The plot holder gave it up at Christmas so it really only had one year of partial care. The couple who took it over seemed to think it had been abandonned for decades and were shocked to discover this wasn't the case. They came up twice in about April / May and cleared a bit but haven't been seen since but at least it's not their plot which has been fly tipped on which is true of one of the other unused plots.

[WendyC]

I wish more new plotters would think about the time commitment before taking on a plot. I waited until my youngest was at school before taking one on. I've seen several of the plots around me be taken on, worked for the Spring bank holiday weekends and then virtually abandoned, only for the dandelions to flower and sprinkle seed all over my plot! I'm not taking it personally.

[smallfrog]

I think an alloment needs lots of time and lots more effort. Do something every week of the year be it chopping, weeding, burning, planting, turning, digging, watering need i go on. Also don't ever be fooled into thinking that it will EVER be done when you head home at night. You'll always be thinking next time i will just do that.
Its all worth it and 3 years in i have lots of veggies and still fit in gym, kids, dog work and if i'm lucky sleep. Oh if you do fall behind rope in friends with offers of free veg or a plot BBQ.

[Ashaman42]

I'm aware it'll need consistent work but sounds like I'll be able to do it some justice with the time I have available. I could always cut back on my other hobbies at particularly busy times but I'd rather not cut them out completely.

I think a lot of the plots are half-plots which should help a bit.

[nannyphizz]

Ithink once you get bitten by the bug ( no pun intended) you will find you want to be there all the time.

[Two_Sheds]

My neighbour is up there every day, 6 hrs a day. I'm sure he stands in his shed waiting for the weeds to germinate, then he's out with the hoe again.

Trouble is, the more he disturbs the soil, the more weeds are exposed to the light and start to grow. Also, bare soil leads to more evaporation, so he's also watering more than he has to.

My beds have weeds in but I treat them as green manure/cover crops, shading the soil and keeping it moist - until they start to flower, then they're OUT and onto the compost heap

[susieq100]

Mainly my paths between beds it has to be said, as I laid wood chippings on barrier mesh but we've had no wood chippings delivered for yonks and the weeds seem to love this enviroment.

That's been my experience this year ... I thought I was being a smarty pants (nearly typed something else and then thought of the mods) when I laid carpet down on the paths and covered with woodchips, but it just seems to have encouraged the weeds to grow out of the sides and through any tiny gap where the barrier has not had enough overlap. I know I have not spent as much time there this year so far, pressure of work, but it is a bit disheartening. Anyway only a week to go until the kids are off school and I should be able to do a couple of hours every day!

[Jelliebabe]

If you cannot truly find the time, it's really unfair on yourself and your plot neighbours to take a plot on so think carefully before committing yourself. Nothing worse than finding yourself over your head with weeds and not being able to cope. Having said that, once you get the plot into a manageable state after the first flush of spring weeds, it becomes easier. I have three half plots and spend at least an hour morning and evening on my plots come rain or shine in the growing season but even at that, with the recent wet weather it has become really difficult to keep the weeds in check. Hope that gives you some idea.

What he said! I am embarrased to say that my brother and I took a whole allotment this year and well - It's turned out to be me doing all the work (no matter that he live right beside the plot and me 20 miles away!) we've just had half taken back and I cringe at the weeds every time I go!

I've managed to work nearly half and go most weekends and sometimes one evening... I'm waiting for one nearer to me which would be better and it would stop me and the bro falling out!

Why dont you go up there and ask if you can help out on any of the plots to see if you can get a feel for it? Would put you in their good books as well as giving you a taster...

[Aberdeenplotter]

20 miles is a long way to go to a plot. I'm a couple of minutes in the car to mine which does make it very easy. I can go and work for a half hour whereas poor Jellie will maybe take that length of time to travel each way. If you aren't able to look after the plot the way you would like to, consider planting the bulk of it in potatoes which need very little attention once they are planted and keep only a little cultivated with other plants. Potatoes are the crop to grow to clean a plot up as the ground is constantly being worked (digging, planting, furrowing up, and then lifting the spuds) and the plot will actually look good even though you aren't around much.

[Jelliebabe]

Deffo going to plant a LOT more potatoes next year LOL! In fact my potatoes have caused a bit of plot envy this year as they were ready first!