New allotment

[Ceres]

Hi I've finally decided to join as I have just been allocated an allotment, I have a question as I was told my plot is 125square meters but when I measured it seems the neighbours have been creeping into my plot, only by a few feet but it means that the dividing paths are all on my plot. I don't really know how to broach this subject....

Also is there anything I can pop in the ground now as I have always been a pot and grow bag user and so have been limited to what I can grow.

[Jeanied]

Welcome to the vine Ceres and congratulations on your new plot. I would wait a while before you talk to your neighbours about the paths - get to know them first. I am sure you will have enough growing space for what you need, and you can come to an agreement about the paths later on.

I am going to try some onion sets and garlic this week and next month sowing my broad beans. Then it is spud planting nearer Good Friday.

[Ceres]

Thank you

Yes I don't really want to cause animosity, just want the space I'm paying for. They seem friendly enough but when I enquired about the communal shed they quickly stated it was theirs :/

I have everything ready for planting but am very eager to get going. I have a habit of filling spaces very quickly haha my garden has spilled out everywhere indoors and any wincy space has something in it.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Ceres

[Ceres]

Thank you.
Have dug my first bed ready for the first seeds, very satisfying. 4 by 20 feet is reasonable yeah?

[veggiechicken]

Hello Ceres and welcome. A new allotment is always exciting and this is just the right time of year to get started. Take some photos of it now and record the changes through the year. You can post them here http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...dar_76464.html

I've put some broad beans in compost in polybags indoors to start them growing. They have strong roots now so I'll be potting them up today, ready for planting out in February. Just an idea!!

[Ceres]

I don't like broad beans myself but my partner will be most pleased if I grow them so have bought him some called the Sutton, how many seeds should I do for enough crop for him?

[mrgrower]

Welcome to the vine.

They seem friendly enough but when I enquired about the communal shed they quickly stated it was theirs :/

Seem freindly enough (

You said it's a communal shed theres the operative word "communal."

If what your saying is true and accurite and I have no reason to doubt what your telling us, then we all know those types, nice to your face and poison in your tea when your backs turned.

I have a habit of filling spaces very quickly haha my garden has spilled out everywhere indoors and any wincy space has something in it.

We have a habbit of letting people take a mile.

Is the extra space they took theirs too when they are told to pay for it?

If your paying for X amount of growing space then you decide if it's something you can be bothered addressing and possibly loosing such lovely people over.

BTW Broad Beans are good croppers in the right place as I am the only one who likes them in my family I found 9 plants was enough for me.

[Ceres]

I only met them at the weekend so haven't got to know them really.
I enquired with the council about the shed who say all sheds are communal as they have now split all 500 square meter plots into 4 there is one shed per 4 plots. My neighbours have 250 sq m but believe the shed is all theirs. Their plot is probably about 300 sq m really and mine 110.

[mrgrower]

40 meters isn't that 131 feet thats a lot a space to be loosing. I'm sorry but you can let a few feet go by but 131 feet is just taking the urine.

Sorry I can see the type of people your on about i'd speak to the commitee or the council and get this sorted the neibours won't be too happy but hey it's ok having a loving relationship when everything is one sided.

That's my thoughts others may have a different take on the subject but either way only you can decide.

I'd be tempted to ask for a refund for the other 40 meters as you are not getting what you are paying for and your neibours are benefiting from you paying ( Yhe right. )

Ask the commitee or council which is the communal shed that covers your plot? It may be they have bought their own shed and another shed is the communall one for you. If the shed they say is theirs is communal, Having this information gives you a stronger hand to play. Their a regulations for sheds being errected on most council sites so if they state they put it their then there will be a record of them seeking permission to do so.

Lets know what you decide and how things turn out.

Mr G

[Two_Sheds]

when I measured it seems the neighbours have been creeping into my plot, ... I don't really know how to broach this subject....

Who's in charge? Act thick, and get the person-in-charge to show you exactly where your boundaries are, preferably when your neighbours are there too.
Then it's not you that's "making waves", you're the innocent party

I don't like broad beans myself

Neither did I until I grew them myself. The tiny young tender beans are totally different to the large tough, leathery ones you get in the supermarket

[Ceres]

Well they're not all my meters I'm losing I think I've only missed out on 15 or so square meters, I think they have been there quite few years as they were telling me of the previous keepers. Which sounds like two main ones over the last ten years.
The shed is definitely council built as there is four sheds per block which go over four plots corner on each. All 500sq m plots are divided to four now but the shed is on my corner eating into my space so really wouldn't mind using it.

[Ceres]

Neither did I until I grew them myself. The tiny young tender beans are totally different to the large tough, leathery ones you get in the supermarket[/QUOTE]

I am definitely going to try some they sound MUCH better!
So much to to look forward to.

[Martin H]

Hi there and welcome to the vine

I'm very much the non-confrontational type, so personally I would take things softly. First though, I definitely need somewhere to store stuff, so I would have to take a deep breath, smile and explain politely to my new neighbours my understanding: that I was told all the sheds are to be shared and I'd be happy to ask the committee to clarify to us both in writing.

Personally, as long as I have an adequate amount of space I'd concentrate on getting that shipshape this season and growing the best crops I can. When it comes to renewal time, I'd explain that I'd love to renew for another season but would need a discounted price because I have noticed that I only have x square metres instead of 250 and I therefore calculate that a fair price is actually £y. This pretty much forces them to send someone to check and either peg out some extra ground or give in and reduce the charge.

I'm sure my own plot has been eaten into over the years before I got it in early 2013, because the paths that would once have been straight now bend at the corners of the plot - and not in my favour either. Even so, where the boundaries were distinct I've left them alone, on the two sides where they were indistinct I've reached amicable agreement with my neighbours (by knocking in some stout pegs and then asking them if they thought they were in the right place). Also because it was described as a "full plot" without any other description there's no point in me measuring it. It does seem a bit smaller than some other full plots - notably the one next to mine - but bigger than other full plots.

Anyway, I digress. In your case, please don't let the boundary disputes get too nasty and don't let any of that stuff stop you enjoying your horticulture. I expect nature will throw enough trials and tribulations at you without that.

Oh - and post pics

[Bigmallly]

40 meters isn't that 131 feet thats a lot a space to be loosing. I'm sorry but you can let a few feet go by but 131 feet is just taking the urine.

Forgive me if my maths is wrong but if you have 110 mts then you are down 15 mts not 40 as above ........how you deal with this issue is up to you, advice can be given but it's you that has to act on it.