Vacant plots - guerilla gardening etiquette?

[TrixC]

My plot is on a council-owned site. Unfortunately the Council is short-staffed and not very proactive so although there is supposedly a waiting list for plots, we have numerous vacant or abandoned plots on our site, some of which have not been cultivated for years. My own plot has two neighbours which are vacant and I am spending a lot of time trying to prevent the grass and weeds from encroaching. I was wondering about planting a bunch of squash plants on the more problematic of the two neighbouring plots to try to suppress the weeds along the boundary - sort of an unofficial pumpkin patch - but OH thinks planting anything on a plot that’s not ours would be wrong. I guess the way I look at it is I would be quite happy if someone else took over the plot to let them have anything I’d planted there, and if I was the new plot holder I’d probably be delighted by that situation, rather than inheriting a plot full of weeds. Realistically the more likely scenario is that the other plot remains vacant, as there are better plots available on the site and I have little confidence the council will fill any of them.

[Snadger]

I did a similar thing when we were struggling to fill plots. I approached the then committee and told them i would clear a plot and use it to grow a bit of stuff untill they got it filled. They had more chance of filling it if it was cultivated and I agreed to walk away if they managed to get someone for it.
I didn't stay on the plot the following year as they managed to get it let.

It didn't cost me anything apart from hard work and it enabled the association to get a plot let that no one would have wanted.

Just be aware, it is quite hard to just walk away.

It doesn't happen now as we have a healthy waiting list and most plots are cultivated to some extent.

[Jimny14]

I can't really see the problem if you're willing to walk away when it is let, especially if you haven't cultivated the whole plot.

[Chestnut]

Personally, I think it’s a great idea. It wouldn’t cost the council a penny, and although there would be quite a bit of effort involved, it wouldn’t be financially costly for you either.

However, do check your allotment contract, because ours has a clause forbidding trespassing on other plots, even if unlet. The last thing you want is to get chucked out for bad behaviour....

If you do, then you should probably seek permission first, hopefully a quick phone call would sort that as I would be very surprised if anyone would object to you voluntarily giving up your time to begin clearing a plot for the benefit of the next tenant. We certainly had no objection when we requested permission to strim a couple of vacant plots to stop them sending weed seeds everywhere!
Alternatively, plant the seedlings right next to the plot boundary and let them grow over the boundary by themselves...

[geepee]

I AGREE .with all the previous posts.......

My nearest allotment plot is a 2 min walk from my house, my neighbor opposite has a plot and i visit him there regularly.
Hence meeting other plot holders.

Ive applied for a plot and the council said ....7 yr approx waiting list ...!!!!!

Of the 45 plots there is 12 overgrown and neglected and never visited to anyones knowledge..!!!
, 2 that are only visited twice a year for a 'Strim ' and a barbeque, One plot is infested with jap' Knotweed
so council said that can be a 'Communal plot' ( whats all that )!!!!!

its a good site with a GaTED ACCESS/KEY HOLDER ONLY car park and a vehicle width track to all plots. Mains water upstands are adequate and sheds/ greenhouses are allowed.

An arrangement with a local farmer is in exsistence for supply of FYM annually for either induvidual or group share( arranged by plot holders, not Council)
Such a shame to see so many neglected/ unwanted plots going to waste , mainly due to poor Admin /understanding......!!!!!!!

one plot holder has a petrol mower and voluntarily cuts the verges etc.

Sorry got carried away with the 'rant'
point is ......one plot holder had neglected plots both sides of his and was given NOTICE for transgressing onto neighbouring , NEGLECTED plots......!!!!!!!
He agreed to 'walk away' but was told his terms of Tenancy had been breached etc ....!!

[Cadalot]

We volunteered to strim a plot that had been neglected as the 4ft high weeds were going to seed, and were informed that we couldn't because although issued with a notice to quit the tenant still had rights of appeal. Absent Neighbours

Sutton Council and their Management company Idverde didn't let 138 people on their waiting list know that plots were vacant Alans Allotment: Gross Mismanagement of Allotments

As a result I formed the London Borough of Sutton Allotment Site Rep Assoc. and have taken them to task and we are now trying to assist in resolving the situation. So I would suggest, talk to your site rep. If you don't have one, become one and badger them. Find out who is supposed to be managing and ask them to send you the next person on the waiting list so you can show them the vacant plots. Request a copy of the waiting list, it will not have contact details on it but you should be able to see how long people have been waiting and how many people there are on the list.

[TrixC]

Thanks for all the advice. I will check my contract but generally our site is a bit of a Wild West. For example I know hosepipes are banned but I’ve seen several people using them. A number of vacant plots have large fruit trees and people help themselves to the fruit, I have also done this as one of the vacant plots next to me has a Morello cherry and I couldn’t stand seeing the fruit going to waste. To be honest it didn’t cross my mind it wouldn’t be allowed! My other plot neighbour has a plot that backs on to his garden and he hosts parties on it and allows his children and dog to play on the allotment site which does wind me up a bit...

Cadalot it’s good to hear you’ve had some success engaging with your Council. We have no site rep, there was a lady who took this role informally but she very sadly passed away earlier in the year. I have contacted the council several times to enquire about progress letting the vacant plots and every time they say this is imminent but then nothing happens, or they let one or two only. Part of the problem seems to be constant turnover of Council staff.

[TrixC]

Geepee that sounds a lot like our site, waiting list officially closed, but lots of plots which are either vacant or not properly cultivated. It’s frustrating, I’d far rather offer the plots to people who are motivated to grow things.

[alldigging]

I think you need to chase the council and use the local councillors to get the plots relet. There will be people wanting plots.

Maybe you need to tackle it from the point of view of people who want plots being pushed at the council.

Keep notes on the council's reactions to people's enquiries.

[no_akira]

Geepee that sounds a lot like our site, waiting list officially closed, but lots of plots which are either vacant or not properly cultivated. It’s frustrating, I’d far rather offer the plots to people who are motivated to grow things.

TrixC

Same on my plot, don't understand why they don't start offering more half plots to make it easier for time pressured new starters.

About 10 plots on my site are overgrown due to plot sitters with "bad backs"...

Last season I had to clear & cover half the "overgrown with weeds" adjoining plot. I then went on to dig over x2 (5' x 12' ft) in which I planted my Jerusalem Artichokes & Sweetcorn super star pairing and then just left em to do their thing...

Council then told me cause my efforts someone took the plot on...

That was last summer, still haven't seen them

[hamamelis]

I can't see anyone with a brain objecting to you planting some pumpkins to keep the weeds down. Just make sure you only do it when those without brains aren't around

It's not as though you're spraying with weedkiller (as my new, nice, helpful neighbour did on my new plot) which some people prefer not to use (including me... I do appreciate the thought at least).