advice on plots

[greasemonkey67]

As some of you may know,A few months ago I got my first plot,missed summer planting really so spent weekends and a few nights clearing 2 years of grass,weeds n poppys and general tidying.One couple who had a plot next to mine decided to give up so they very nicely said they would be happy for me to contact the council and swop plots,which i have done. Very little weeding to do! So im wondering,as i have the chance should i take my old plot aswell or half plot as they will be side by side.I dont want to miss a chance. Whatcha all reckon? Good idea or not?

[binley100]

How big is the plot you've got ? Can you cope with both ?
We had a half plot at first then discovered it wasn't big enough so this year have taken on a full sized plot and have run both , planting on the little one and getting the big one sorted. It has been hard work doing both and will be giving the little one up at the start of the new year (well after my parsnips have been dug up )

[Two_Sheds]

I'd just go with the one. I'm a veggie and even I don't eat all the stuff that one plot produces

[greasemonkey67]

I would prob say its about 60 ft long and 30ft wide ish ? I have planted some onions in my original plot so theres one reason to keep it for a year.This is my first time i have had an allotment and i am fairly new to growing my own veg. For what the council charge ,23 quid a year it might be worth a go?

[Two_Sheds]

Would you be depriving someone else of a plot? If not, go ahead

[greasemonkey67]

That was one of my thoughts,I know there like rocking horse manure to get,and i was lucky. I wouldnt want to deprive anyone of having a plot. I will have to have a chat with the allotment guru at the council. Thanks for all your thoughts.TTFN.

[northepaul]

Here you're allowed one per person, so we have two. The first one has frankly been a nightmare as it was a horse field for 30 years before we were given some of it. As you can imagine its compacted and the soil is quite poor.
Originally the second plot (which is actually a half plot) was a wasteland, the people who had it previously rotavated dandilions all over it! However, when a whole plot 2 along from us, became available, we swapped it without second thought.

Personally, I wouldnt feel bad about it, aslong as you are going to put the work in and it will bring you pleasure (and food).

[jackie j]

I have two half plots, we are allowed to have one in each name ( me and OH ) depends if you are allowed, in our area you can swop if one is availabe, but can only have a second plot in partner/ family name if they are at the top of the list. You can but ask, good luck.

[Snadger]

It depends on how dedicated you are?

I have two plots, I am a really keen experienced gardener/chuckeer who visits the plots six days a week and I struggle to keep on top of stuff.

I found that even with intensive gardening I COULDN'T grow enough for my families needs on one plot (And I'm NOT a veggie!)!

As has already been mentioned, as long as you aren't depriving another allotmenteer and you are prepared to put the time and work in, go for it.

[Newton]

Very little weeding to do!!!

You must expect a lot more. Try it out with the half plot. Best to enjoy a half plot than struggle with a full one til your competent and addicted.

You are lucky to have a council guru though. We only have an officer. Not at all guru like.....more junior corporal than Major too.......god bless her!

[Aberdeenplotter]

I personally wouldn't consider whether you would be depriving anyone else of a plot. If you need that area of ground to be self sufficient in vegetables and you are able to cope with it, then that isn't being selfish, that is being sensible. If on the other hand you won't be able to cope with the larger area of ground then that will be selfish and It would make more sense to allow someone else the opportunity to neglect it

[hamamelis]

My allotments don't have any rules on how many plots you can have- according to one of the people on the committee, one guy has twelve! And they think he has more on other sites! They're all pretty well immaculate, too. It's all he does, and he's always there...

You're not suggesting running a farm in bits, unlike him- if you can keep up with both, and you want the extra space, go for it!

[vegnut]

You could always turn the smaller one to fruit and cover the ground, planting through it. That would cut your work down. Then you could concentrate on the veg plot whole heartedly.
Just a thought.

[greasemonkey67]

Thanks to everyone for your advice and ideas,If i can i will keep the two plots i think. I would like to grow some fruit so maybe half a plot for fruit may be nice. I will let you know thw outcome. I have been trying to move a 8x6 shed today,i did try on my own but just ended up with a sore back.So my boss lent me 3 other mechanics from work,we went off and now there are 4 mechanics with sore backs! and it only moved 6ft,ah poo! Never mind guess i will have to dismantle it first. Thanks again.