what makes a good plot?

[Birdie Wife]

I love to spend time at my allotment. I've only had it a year and I've noticed a big difference in the various plots on the site, productivity especially. So I was wondering what you think are the ingredients that make a good plot?

My first thoughts were :

• regular attention (little and often principle)
• sociability and helpfulness of the other plot holders
• attention to the soil

What about you?

[Speed Gardener]

For me, the main thing is time - time to catch up and stay on top of weeding, mainly!
Keeping things fresh, getting rid of unproductive things like old trees and bushes.
Not letting junk and other unused rubbish build up on your plot.
Making sure you use the whole plot, don't have an area that hasn't been dug for years..

This is a wishlist of course, I think I'll have to wait until I retire before I'm happy with my plot!..

[Thelma Sanders]

For me, a good plot is simply one that I enjoy working on and which grows food I enjoy eating.

It may be weedy, sometimes, it may be untidy, sometimes, but as long as I enjoy going there I don't care about anything else

[bario1]

Some ingredients I would add would be...

An area set aside for sitting and relaxing (something my plot doesn't have!)
Nature friendliness (avoiding toxic chemicals where possible and encouraging animal habitats)
A covered space (shed, polytunnel, lean-to or whatever) to escape the rain.

[veggiechicken]

I'd look for convenient access. Near enough to home or work that its not an effort to go there, preferably walking distance. Good access on site for muck deliveries and for the car if I needed to take something heavy - like when I moved a shed there.
Near a water supply or a suitable roof for catching rainwater.
No overbearing rules - freedom to grow whatever you like in any way - not constrained by straight iines
Friendly and helpful plot neighbours.
No nightmare weeds.
Tranquillity.

[bario1]

No nightmare weeds.

Where would be the fun in that?

[Snadger]

The old saying "One man's meat is another man's poison." springs to mind.

Do your own thing and be happy!

[bikermike]

In terms of outputs, the biggest differentiator for my money is the most expensive ingredient of all - time...

In choosing a plot, I prioritised nearness over everything else - it's only 5 minutes away from my house, so it's easy to get there when I have the time, and forgetting something isn't the end of the world.

I was between jobs a bit this year and was able to put whole days in at the plot - built raised beds, put down weedproof membrane, weeded and generally was able to keep on top of it, and I'm really seeing the benefits.

of course, as our offspring get more active, that's all going to go to pot again...

[1Bee]

What makes a good plot? Somewhere that makes me feel happy, in a lovely blend of excited and serene.

[Snadger]

..............Innovation!