eek! Offered new allotment in Barnsley - not sure whether to accept!!!

[~kirsty~]

There's one plot they offer you, mines about halfway up a row (its a single row of allottments the site) looks like the well maintained ones are near the bottom, but can't see anything about mine as its so far up the lane.

[veggiechicken]

Are they well maintained because they're near the entrance to the site? Will you be able to get to your plot easily - with a wheelbarrow/car because everything you'll need will have to be carried to the plot somehow - and carried out again

[Two_Sheds]

I'm hoping someone can show me round the site, but there isn't that offer in the letter so will ring the council to see.

Don't expect the council to be hand-holding, or giving you guided tours. Speaking from experience, the "allotment officer" will have very many other hats to wear, and no time at all in which to deal with allotments.

Get yersen up there, and chat to whoever is around (mornings are best, before the Olde Boyes go home for their lunch).

[Mikey]

Expect most plots to be overgrown, someone doesn't generally give up until they realise they cannot turn it around or they have been kicked off for not maintaining it. So the majority of plots given to newbies will be in need of some serious hard graft.

Go have a look see what its like, take a few pictures to come home with and decide at home if you don't want to there. When I got mine it looked like a very unkept lawn mixed with a rough hedge. Graft, graft and more graft but its more every minute of it.

[Thelma Sanders]

Mine was a mess as well, but you get there in the end, and it was worth it Most people are gung-ho to begin when they get a plot

Realistically if you don't fancy putting in the effort at the start, then perhaps an allotment is not right for you, anyway - because they do involve quite a bit of work to keep them tidy(ish) and productive.

You don't just get a clear one, plant a few things and come back in a month or so to harvest veg.

So have a good think about it first, before you commit to anything

[Bigmallly]

Getting your first plot can be a daunting experience, sounds like you have got a few extra pair of hands which is always welcome. Find out what you are allowed & not i.e Shed, Greenhouse, livestock. A shed & Greenhouse will be perfect for water collection...........Have a look, find some friendly plotholders to chat to, try seeing through the mess cos no doubt it will be & try not to be overawed by it...........Good Luck.

[~kirsty~]

I know its hard work and its something I need to go down every 1-2 days (I'm not deluded in that sense), that part isn't the problem. The actually gardening and digging, once the overgrown-ness is cleared i'm ok with. On the otherhand, I don't want something that I might not be able to do much with on my own for a while. I can have a shed/greenhouse with permission from the council, and certain livestock e.g. chickens/rabbits.

Although I'd love raised beds I don't think its something i'll get straight away (once I've cleared and covered parts up), so i'm currently planning probably 4ft by 4ft dug beds, with paths between. 1-2 beds will be for my Guide group I think.

I need to also consider the equipment I need - as the site is small i'm thinking a strimmer at least to keep things at bay, and for storage I might get a chest to keep cheap tools as I know the chests might be prone to moisture, so don't really fancy keeping everything on site.

I don't think I have the expertise for building sheds, so was just going to be shed-less unless I got an offer from someone. Its a very small site, not more than 20 plots, and potentially only about 6 fairly decently kept ones. I'll try to pop onto site really early tomorrow morning before work (that's likely the time i'm aiming to utilise the plot in the week at the moment, and as the nights get longer i'll spend a bit of time after work too, with most time been Saturday and sunday. I was going to ask my retired dad to look over the plot during the week too, so I hope he does that, and to tend when I'm away as well. (with friends, and other family members)

I just wasn't expecting this to come round so quick, all the indications were I would be on the list for years before anything came up. So its a bit daunting to say the least.

My mum is really against me getting the plot, doesn't think its suitable - but did say its my choice. I think she would prefer I got one at a larger site, with water, further down the road.

[Bigmallly]

I get the impression that you are not quite ready Kirsty, you sound dissapointed instead of excited that your offer has come early. It's your call lass, only you can decide.

[alldigging]

You don't need to own a strimmer. Ask on the site if anyone has one they can lend you. If you ask nicely then someone might do it for you. But if the plot has had stuff on it it can be worth not using one to manually investigate what's there.

There's lots of ways of making it easier to start off - covering soil to stop weeds getting worse is one quick way. Cardboard is easy and available at lots of supermarkets for free.


Ask your mum what's not suitable about this plot?

[Feral007]

Did you put your name down at the other bigger site as well Kirsty?

If you are not quite ready,and you have your name down at the other one, then it might be worth waiting for.

It's really up to you. but maybe you could talk with your dad after you both have a look at it.
Sometimes you feel you Have to take it because it's offered. Other times, you thought you weren't ready, but when you consider it, you decide it's all good.

Have a little 'what if' session. What if I took it.....and then......What if I didn't? See which feels most comfortable.

[redser]

Sounds like you're all in a tizzy Kirsty. I was waiting 6 years for mine. But when the call finally came it was sudden. It always is One minute you dont have a plot, the next minute you do. I had very little gardening experience and I know how you feel.
Step 1. Take a look at the plot and take lots of photos and post some up here. We'll work out how much work is involved and offer some suggestions on how to procede.
As for the other/better plot... a bird in the hand and all that You sound interested in growing so this offer is a blessing the way I see it. Forget about tools and sheds and greenhouse for the moment. I would suggest you start small and prepare a small area and get something easy growing to give you some encouragement. The rest will come in time. Think spuds and salad leaves maybe?
Dont be afraid of it , think of all the srawberry jam and rhubarb wine you'll be making some day!!

[Two_Sheds]

i'm currently planning probably 4ft by 4ft dug beds, with paths between

That sounds good, you don't need sides or edging, even. Just mark out your paths, and never step on the beds

1-2 beds will be for my Guide group I think

You'll need to check insurance policies, and health & safety risk assessments if you're bringing children onto the site ~ that's the world we live in now

for storage I might get a chest to keep cheap tools

I hid my tools around the plot (and still do). Wrap a spade in netting and leave it lying around ... it just looks like netting. Hide stuff under the strawberry nets, inside empty water butts ... use your imagination.

A container is just an invitation to steal from it

My mum is really against me getting the plot, doesn't think its suitable

Well it's not her plot, is it?
You have a go, and perhaps keep your name on the list, if you can, in case a better/closer one comes up.
You can achieve a lot if you're determined and enjoy hard work in the fresh air. Take a look at what I inherited.
I did it all without help, without a car, without power tools, and with a lot of scathing looks from the old boys, who thought (and still do) that I don't know what I'm doing. "you're having a go, are ya?" was a typical remark.

[Snadger]

You could always 'Google Earth' the site to get a better idea of what you are letting yourself in for?

[~kirsty~]

Yes - google earth shows trees, so obviously since 2008 when google earth pictures were taken for our area, the site has been expanded I guess. I believe the allotments merged with another site, as a school was built a little further down the road, on some allotment plots.

On the image my plot is smack bang in the middle between those other two plots, where the trees appear to be! I haven't yet been able to getonto site, both times gate was locked, so will keep trying, but probably will have to wait till the weekend.

[Bren In Pots]

Kirsty have a look at the horticultural channel on youtube then click Seans allotments, its a new series with hints and tips about on taking on a plot.

The Horticultural Channel | Gardening news and advice for the amateur gardener