Seaforth, Liverpool - Allotment / Share

[Myrmidon]

Hullo!

What a super site... Obviously a local question, this - but please feel free to offer any advice about the general nature of allotment-finding!

My partner and I have a problem... We are keen gardeners, but have somewhat outgrown our own patch out front and out back. So what we need is an allotment!

However, we've been to visit the local plots and they are utterly choked. We were told that the waiting list has 45 names on it, and as there are only 50 plots (I'd estimate), it will be several years until we can squeeze in somewhere...

It's such a waste (and a great shame): half the plots look totally untended, as if no-one has touched them in years. And on a Saturday - just a couple of people present.

I don't drive, and nor does my partner, so going further afield is troublesome.

The purpose of this post: does anyone in the area (Seaforth) know of any sites nearby with vacancies? Or is anyone willing to share a plot?

If not, are there any other local people in the same situation who might be willing to add their name on a petition to the council?

Thanks!

[Two_Sheds]

um, you could try Landshare - What is Landshare

[nelliegemini]

um, you could try Landshare - What is Landshare

I must have missed the Landshare tag TW, but I have registered.

Sorry Myrmidon, would love to share a plot with anyone, but you're too far away - I am only looking for half but we have long waiting lists.

[Myrmidon]

Sorry Myrmidon, would love to share a plot with anyone, but you're too far away - I am only looking for half but we have long waiting lists.

Alas!

I think plot-sharing is a good idea, though. The waiting list of 45 (in our case) could be cut to 22 if people agreed to have half a share in an allotment...

Good luck!

[Myrmidon]

I contacted a local councillor about this issue yesterday. She replied to my message very quickly indeed (I'm genuinely impressed), and said that she'd try to make more land available for allotments.

In the meantime, she suggested halving a plot with someone, so I'll head up the road on the weekend and enquire again. I'm determined to find somewhere to garden before the spring!

Has anyone else been through this process?

[Two_Sheds]

I have just given half of my plot to someone who wanted to share ... I couldn't justify keeping a whole one to myself.

Best thing, Myrmidon, is to get up the site and talk to people face-to-face, and find out if there's anyone who will share with you.

[artymum]

seaforth planting

Have you seen the former Post Office in Stella Precinct, Seaforth? There is a project happening at the moment where an artist is trying to promote growing in green spaces, she is doing a 'choices' weekend this weekend Sat/Sun 21/22 March2009 - planting in containers mainly edible flowers and veg, it would be well worth your while tryimg to get down & see her, she's there most Monday & Tuesdays until September I think.

SHe is really working on the council to provide more planting space & is working towards having beehives along the canal.

Hope you see this, realise its a year on!!

[segarrett]

You can try looking for someone near you with some spare garden that they would like used for fruit and veg.

You can do that at landshare as noted, but it isn't up yet, or try yours2share Property - landshare
and read the guidance here yours2share - landshare, sharing gardens, allotments,

Also look at the info on the Transistion Towns particularly Totnes here
Garden Share Project | Transition Town Totnes they have lots of guidance and also a template agreement.

Finally try Gumtree, but be very specific in your title about what your are looking for and where you are, as there are masses of ads and you have to be found by anyone searching

[tattylashes]

plot finding

hiya, i was born and raised in seaforth and many years ago my bro had a plot, this was over near chaffers football field, he doesn't have that plot any more unfortunately, i guess you know where that is, i too am looking for a plot, i do have a huge garden in my home in waterloo and i am at present growing alot of veggies, thing is i am running out of ground space....i was told that there are many available plots in Bridle Road near the giro building, it is more or less opposite the industrial estate past maggie mays bar, i imagine that you know where that is too, but if you do hear anything please let me know and we could do a plot share, or i could get my own plot if there's any going, or maybe give each other some info about finding a plot, i am a keen gardener and love growing my own stuff, just recently i harvested some fab food, (first time ever) i have grown flowers and plants before but never food, so this is my first time and it seems to be working, i just need more space that's all, i will keep looking and i will let you know, so if you could do the same, we may just come up with something, i don't mind sharing
best regards
cheryl

[Seaforth Allotments]

Still looking...

Hi,

It's been a while - we're still looking. I couldn't remember my password for the site, so signed up with a new tag.

I've been talking to a local councillor about the issue of availability. I also signed up with Landshare (there are nine 'growers' and no 'landowners' in our region), and have been posting elsewhere...

It turns out that there is council owned land just down the road from our house, that is ideal for allotment use. Unfortunately, it would yield just eight plots - and the cost of converting the land to allotments (especially in a recession; damn the economy!) is prohibitively high.

But we're not giving up!

I've set up a blog: Seaforth Allotments
And an e-mail account: seaforthallotments@googlemail.com

... both to try to promote allotment availability locally. I think that there are chances to develop new sites, though these may require external sources of funding.

I also know that Sefton has commissioned an 'allotment review' - so I'm hopeful for the future! Anyone interested in getting involved, please contact us - here, or at the above address.

Thanks!

[weekendwellies]

Good luck with your search S-A.
I am on a plot on a small site in Halewood, a few stops on the train for you I think. PM me if you would like contact details though.
There is a big site near Northway School, Queens Drive/Edge Lane area, backing onto the railway.

[Seaforth Allotments]

Good luck with your search S-A.

Thanks very much!

I am on a plot on a small site in Halewood, a few stops on the train for you I think. PM me if you would like contact details though.
There is a big site near Northway School, Queens Drive/Edge Lane area, backing onto the railway.

There are a few sites in Sefton, but I think most have large waiting lists... Neither me or my partner drives, so we have to think local! But thanks for the info.; I'll definitely look into it...

[alfieplot162]

new plots

hi , i have a plot on dunningsbridge rd bootle allotments ,sefton council are building new plots by marian squre in netherton they will be ready soon i hope this helps regards alfie

[Seaforth Allotments]

hi , i have a plot on dunningsbridge rd bootle allotments ,sefton council are building new plots by marian squre in netherton they will be ready soon i hope this helps regards alfie

Thanks, Alfie - that's really useful information.

There aren't any details available online, unless you search through details of local council minutes on .pdf!

140 new plots at a cost of £50,000 is a bargain.

Unfortunately, though the site is local, it's more than a short walk away... Neither me nor my partner can drive, which is turning out to be a major disadvantage! Still, we will see what can be done on the bus.

Thanks for the update!

[weekendwellies]

Are the ones by Beech Road no use to you?
Where abouts in Seaforth are you? (Roughly obviously, for security reasons)