Allotment Etiquette

[Justcallmemrbloom]

I'm new to this whole allotment thing so I am wondering if there are some general allotment etiquette that should be acknowledged.

In particular, I'm finding that whenever I fill my water butt ready for the week ahead, it suddenly loses about three quarters of it by the next day. I'm finding it a bit annoying!

We have a shared water supply to which I have attached my own hose which I tend to leave running along the path as this seems to be the done thing with others. I am aware that my hose is being used without being asked, though I'm happy to turn a blind eye to that as I'm sure I will need favours in return another time (though it would be nice to be asked!). I have little time for the allotment during the week so its really handy to have a full butt to water from as I am coming home from work.

Any thoughts?

[snakeshack]

Just before we all point out that it's rude to use the water from your water but, are you absolutely sure there isn't a slow leak?

[Justcallmemrbloom]

Yep, checked that. There is a different amount going each time so I'm pretty sure there's no leak as I thought the same myself.

[muddled]

A sign to say 'please refill the butt after use' might be helpful?

[WendyC]

I'm struggling to work out the layout of your plot, water butt and shared water supply. Is the water supply a shared tap? In which case I'd find it annoying to have to disconnected your hose each time! Is the water butt on your plot? In which case no-one should be on your plot without your invitation. Is it clear that the water butt is yours? A notice as Muddled suggested might just do the trick. Do you have any suspicions as to the culprit? I'd try puzzled questioning, "I can't understand what's happening with my water butt. Can you look for leaks while I fill it! No leaks well that is a mystery. "

[Bigmallly]

Print this out & stick it to your butt:

[Jungle Jane]

Is someone attaching your hose to your water butt to fill there's? Can you get a lock tap fitting? You could write "weed killer" on the side of the butt for a laugh?

[Bigmallly]

You could write "weed killer" on the side of the butt for a laugh?

They'd end up watering their weeds...................

[Justcallmemrbloom]

I'm planning on hooking up my other water butt to some guttering and leaving this one where it is....only full of weed killer. Is that a step too far?

I can't believe how annoying someone pinching some water can be!!!

[Ms-T]

Think it ..don't do it...you are better then them..

[muddled]

putting actual weedkiller in would be way, way, WAY too far

So, I'm really struggling to understand...
You have a shared water system
But the hose is yours
and its attached permenantly to to what?
The shared tap?
A shared water butt?
Your own water butt?

And you said they could use your hose?
but now you're cross that they are 'pinching' water?

I'm muddled.
Again

[Justcallmemrbloom]

"putting actual weedkiller in would be way, way, WAY too far"

I agree...just messing.

Maybe I didn't explain the setup very well. There is a central tap for all to use as and when they wish. There are a couple of people's hose pipes left out going from the tap to their plot, ready to connect up as and when it's needed. I now leave mine in a similar way.

My hose has since been used by others who don't have their own...and without asking if they could borrow it. Which I found a little annoying but thought it best to ignore as I would have happily have shared it should they have asked.

The water butt is my own but the water from that has also been used between me filling it and next going down.

I think a subtle note asking for it to be refilled after use should be enough to deter.

Though it's really tempting to add a bit of weedkiller...at least I'd know how it was then ��

[Justcallmemrbloom]

That last sentence is a joke by the way!

Though it is really bothering me that my stuff is being used without people having the decency to ask!

[Bigmallly]

However annoying it may seem, I agree a simple "Please re-fill me after use" would suffice.

[muddled]

Aaaah! got it!

Thanks for clearing that up.

So yes, if your hose is not left attached to the tap but next to it...while it could be construed as cheeky to use it, it might just as easily be common practice to do so on your site. I think you are wise to let that one slide.

The issue with the water butt would seriously pee me off. For someone to walk onto your plot, help themself to water and leave you short is an outright liberty.
A sign might prevent the inconvenience of finding an empty butt so that's okay. Doesn't stop it being wrong, but less inconvenient.

I wonder, are there plots on your site so far from the tap they cannot be reached by hose? Might someone have had an 'understanding' with the previous plotholder that they can share the butt because its so far to carry cans?
Although, one assumes your neighbour would have known of such an arrangement?

Start with the sign...but keep squirreling away to try and find out who it is.
I would not be a happy bunny if someone was happily trundling onto my plot without my permission!