Considering a half allotment

[WeeGarden]

Hello all, my garden really is getting too wee now that I have two rugrats who both move, so I'm going to be viewing a possible allotment this morning. I'm excited but my husband is being all boring and practical, so I was wondering if I can have some advice from experienced alloment(eers?)?

How far do you travel to your allotment?

Can I be a fair weather allotment holder, as in do I have to be out 3 times a week in all weathers, gales, hail and rain, all year round?

Is it possible to do just a day a weekend and pop in before and after work a couple of times a week to do a quick water and weed?

Thanks in advance for any answers, it's a private allotment so will be a lot more expensive than a parish owned one which I have no hope of even getting on the waiting list for.

[Nicos]

Hi there!

Yes, it's very do-able

You may just need to think twice about what you want to grow though, avoiding high maintenance crops( both regarding watering and very regular picking of produce)

Also when you start your growing season may be a little later than you would prefer ( thinking of applying and removing of fleece against frosts.)

We had 3 allotments at one time and not really enough time to dedicate properly to them, so we adapted how and what we grew ( eg planting spuds out later to avoid frost damage )

Lots and lots of mulching reduces the need for watering so frequently too.

We estimated a full plot needs about 7 hrs attention a week on average ...so half a plot = say 4 hrs.
If your OH is happy to help then it's not really that much between you!
I can imagine though that you'll probably choose to spend longer there and take your time

Probably the hardest bit...and most time consuming will be the initial preparing of the plot.

Good luck this morning!

[WendyC]

It's a good that you have already started to think about when you will work your allotment. I've had a 2.5 rod (quarter ) plot for many years and took on another one last Autumn. As Nicos said the initial clearing saw me digging through the winter but now I'm not finding doing two plots is taking much longer than the one. Peak season sees me there about 5 hours a week. It's regular visits that are important not necessarily long ones. You can keep on top of weeds with a quick whizz round with a hoe. Leave it a fortnight and the same job will be much longer.
Be focussed on what you want to do each visit and you'll be surprised how much you can get done. II takes me 5 minutes to walk to my plot so that helps to be able to pop in. Good luck, you won't regret it! Post pictures later.

[alldigging]

It might depend on what the plot starts out as. And how fussy the site is.

If they're very laid back then not keeping 100% on top of things will be fine. If the site is weedless and neat then you might not get away with being the weediest plot on site.

Little and often is best - but you could always give it a try and be honest with yourself about how its going. If you feel you're not managing it as well as you want and can't add more time then you have to say no.

[Stan79]

Whereabouts in Swindon are you? I know of a privately owned site that charges peanuts and has spare spaces. My neighbour has just gone halves on his plot with a mate because he can't face clutivating it all.

I can't help with the other queries as my plot is at the bottom of the garden. I can reccomend planting through weed suppressant matting though. It retains moisture and cuts weeding to practically zero.

[Stan79]

Oh! and the site isn't far from where you took the top picture on your blog on 12th August 2009!

[Alison]

With regards time, during the depths of winter I only really go up to do essential maintenance and mainly harvesting winter crops. However in summer I'm up there for full days at the weekend and usually after work if I can (mainly to harvest). I don't water outside after planting but obviously have to in the tunnel. However I find the best thing is to spend a few days working solidly on it during March / early April to get things ready for the new season so usually try and take a week off work round that time (Easter week this year). Our site is very relaxed but it helps to keep on top of things. Other people on here have posted disgust at any weeds so you you need to check what type of site it is. Also, how big us half a plot? (Can vary around the country by a massive amount). Probably best to see what the site is like and how much work you need to do to get it under control. If you can't see yourself managing that then you'll end up disappointed.

[WeeGarden]

Thanks all for your answers.

Well, I went up there with a friend who I thought that I could split the work on the plot with. No one turned up at the open morning so we had to climb a gate to have a peek through the fence. Friend isn't keen any more as she can't cycle there, so if I take it on, it will just be me. Husband is an indoor person with zero interest in growing things so won't be able to count on help there. It *IS* only 10x10m though, and I was thinking a 3x3 area could be given to my children to play around in, in the middle. The posts above has made me hopeful that I might be able to manage it on my own, so thank you!

Stan, in in North Swindon and this plot is at Jct 16. So a bit of a drive, but on way to work. It's not cheap at £18nper month. But it's my hobby and I don't smoke, so that's my justification

I'd forgotten about my blog! Youngest rugrat is only just starting to be a bit less of a Klingon, so I'm just starting to venture back out into the real world. ��

[WendyC]

Sounds like just under half a plot. A half plot by my reckoning is about a quarter again of what you've got. Still plenty big enough to be getting on with. Were you meant to meet someone there?

[Stan79]

Ok. Depending on where you live precisely, the one I'm thinking about is twice the distance but only 5mins or so more driving.

[veggiechicken]

How intriguing, Stan.
If they're both in the same condition I'd choose the cheap one that's 5 minutes further away.

[Alison]

It is very expensive, mines not much more than that for a full year but if you can afford it then that is obviously much less of an issue and as said, it's on the small size so easier to manage. I do about 2.5 x that on my own (but without little ones ). You do still need to check any tenancy agreement though. The play area sounds great but some sites stipulate what you can do with the space and insist it all has to be under cultivation which would be a shame as it will be much easier if the kids can be entertained too.

[sparrow100]

It does really depend on what condition it's in when you get it. You might find that you need to spend a lot more time there to get it cultivated in the first year. I'm digging out brambles, tree roots and have a long-standing battle with couch grass and bindweed. My site's not overly picky about weeds, but I find neighbours understandably aren't that happy with weeds going to seed and blowing all over their plots.

In terms of time, our site sec recommends a full day on the weekends and a few hours in the week to keep on top of a plot once it's ready to go, and our plots are all about 100msq.

[WeeGarden]

Thanks for that Alison, I will ask about rules re. bare areas. Yes, it is expensive which is why I really have to be sure, it's a minimum one year tenancy.

Stan, would this be Wanborough way? I could use the A419 to get home from work too. Interesting... Would you be able to provide details?

Thank you Sparrow. There are still lots of plots available and the one I have my eye on was vacated last year (so only cultivated for one season as these are new allotments) so I'm hoping there won't be too much start up clearing.

Have appointment to view Mon evening!

[Stan79]

Will send you a PM