To good to be true?

[scoobyb]

Hi guys

I am a potential allotment owner just starting out. When I decided to contact potential allotment sites I was aware of long waiting lists. Luckily the first and nearest one to me informed me that they may have a couple of plots available and I could meet today (Sunday) to have a look and see what I thought. When I arrived I was greeted by the site warden/manager and we drove to my potential plot. The site is surrounded by housing developments on three sides and a rail track on the other. It was in a pretty sorry state but there where a few well established plots on this very large site. The plot was I think a standard 100ft x 30ft. Bigger than I had imagined but I was relishing getting stuck in and transforming it. The thing that has got me thinking is, it seemed very easy to obtain this plot, the warden informed me not to leave anything worth nicking in the shed and don't bother locking it as the thieves will only rip the door off. He also informed me they have break ins on a weakly basis. This has got me wondering wether I want to put a lot of work into a plot that could easily be ransacked at anytime. What do you guys think?
Did I get the plot too easily?
Is it worth the potential hassle?
Should I just wait on a waiting list of a more established and secure site?

[Bigmallly]

Welcome to the vine Scooby, unfortunately it is a common occurrence on many plots. My old plot was the same, we had several break ins & fires. If you really want the plot & from what you said it is a large site then you may have to take tools back & forth with you. Do you want to wait several years for another offer?

[AllInContainers]

Hi guys
Should I just wait on a waiting list of a more established and secure site?

Yes. The one you've been offered seems to be more hassle than it's worth IMHO

[veggiechicken]

Hello Scooby and welcome. Do you know how long the waiting lists are on the other sites? If its years, not months, you may want to take the offered plot but keep your name on the list for the others.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I'm with BM on this. Doesn't matter how secure a site may be, determined thieves will always be able to get in

[Nicos]

It's also theft of, or damage to crops you need to be aware of.
Not nice seeing cold frames being smashed....but playing football with cabbages and trampling of crops is heartbreaking...I know, cos we were on the receiving end of it .
Having spent several years turning 3 heavy clay plots into very productive bits of land , and spending a fortune on fencing it was really really hard just to hand the keys back to the Council.
The upturn of this was that our next plot was in a dream position with fantastic neighbours no theft, and really easily workable soil.

What would I do in your situation?....
Ask if you can take the plot until another site is available and if they agree , choose the Lottie carefully- one not needing much effort and only plant something simple like spuds for now.
Might be worth having a natter with another plot holder there first before deciding? They will be the best peeps to advise you!

[Nicos]

Just a thought....if you've never seen a plot at this time of the year, what you are seeing may not actually be as bad as they could be!

[Aberdeenplotter]

^^^^^ That can be so true unfortunately

[Bill HH]

I can only speak for myself but I wouldnt touch it with a barge pole, in fact thats why I do what I can in my own garden. It would drive me to distraction thinking my plot was being done over by some yobs. I would end up sleeping there and probably either kill someone or more likely get killed. I would wait for that better site which i am sure will come along.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Couldn't agree less with that attitude Bill. All allotment sites have problems from time to time and a perfect plot this week could well be done over next week. A foot on the allotment ladder is difficult enough to get without knocking back offers. Everyone isn't fortunate enough to be able to grow at home.

[Bill HH]

Couldn't agree less with that attitude Bill. All allotment sites have problems from time to time and a perfect plot this week could well be done over next week. A foot on the allotment ladder is difficult enough to get without knocking back offers. Everyone isn't fortunate enough to be able to grow at home.

I understand what your saying and I would take on a plot in any condition in fact relish bringing it into cultivation but its the security aspect that would ruin it for me. Maybe when I was younger i would feel confident to confront these thugs but not now.

[AllInContainers]

I understand what your saying and I would take on a plot in any condition in fact relish bringing it into cultivation but its the security aspect that would ruin it for me. Maybe when I was younger i would feel confident to confront these thugs but not now.

It's not the confidence of confrontation with me, more the why should I even bother if some orifice is going to ruin it all just for the fun of it. To me gardening is about enjoyment, and I see nothing enjoyable about worrying if all my hard work has been wrecked ... whether they actually do it or not. If I can't feel confident that the work I'm putting in is safe in my absence, or that I'm vulnerable to the idiocy of others, I lose interest very quickly. Laying awake at night wondering what's going to be wrecked this weekend, doesn't sound like a good investment of time and money

[Feral007]

Do you have any idea what the other allotments are like? Unless they are a long way away, then they probably have some of the same issues, because some of the same people will be around to do the same damage. A bit of fencing won't keep them out.

If you have the time to make a decision I'd pop along to all of the allotments and have a little chat with some of the people on them. Or at least ask at one of the others. Surely they can give you a few days to think it over?

[Bigmallly]

No allotment is safe. End of.

[Bill HH]

No allotment is safe. End of.

But some are safer than others.

Actualy no private garden is safe either, I have had thefts of things. But I would never be happy to invest my time and money in an allotment with a seriously bad history.