Worried about my plot

[Muriel]

I'm worried about my plot as I haven't been able to get down there as much, due to been busy and then when i'm not its either too cold or very wet. I'm hoping I don't lose my plot as I love been down there. i have done alot since i took on the plot, although the weeds had come back.

Will the council take the plot off me.

Many thanks

Muriel

[Alison]

Do your committee or the council do inspections at a particular time of year? For example, the parish council inspect ours in April each year (or that's what I was told when I asked) so I need to make sure mine's looking fairly active by then (not sure if it's the start or end of the month which is a shame as it means I might not be able to make use of Easter!)

May also be worth trying to speak to some of the other plot holders to get an idea of the state of play. And, if after all this, you're still worried then I'd probably contact the council explaining why you've not been down there much and what your plans are for next year. I always find it best to get in there first but you could well be worrying for no reason - diffcult to judge without knowing your site or seeing your plot.

[kernowyon]

I have not been to mine for two weeks either, get yourself plenty of cardboard or some supressing membrane etc and put that down, it will kill off the weeds and prevent more from growing.

our site gives a bit of leeway in the winter, as long as it looks like you are doing something you should be ok

[Snadger]

OK I've just put my Hon Sec's head on

Our committee ARE concerned when plotholders don't frequent their allotments even if they are well tended. The reason being is that some plotholders have a couple of weekends in the Autumn digging over there plot.........are never seen agin until April and think that because it looks reasonably tidy for about three/four months until weeds start growing that they have fulfilled their obligations.
I visit my plot every day because I have chooks. About three quarters of the plot holders are retired and also visit their plot every day.
With retired and chook men making up about 90% of the plot holders anyone who doesn't visit their plot AT LEAST once per fortnight is frowned upon.
After all, when you get a plot (especially in an area with a long waiting list) you have to make a committment and making an appearance only once a month without mitigating circumstances is not really fair on the others on the waiting list!

[Hans Mum]

communication........tell the people in charge that youve had some problems & that you will get things sorted asap.....theres nothing wrong with that & at least they'll know youre still interested in your plot & as snadger said try and show your face in the near future even if its just to peruse your plot and have a cuppa, hope your back on track soon

[jackie j]

I try to pop down to my plot every couple of days. Sometimes just to make sure everything is ok, other times to do something. Trouble is I very rarely see anyone else so how do they know if I have visited or not. What work I have done is not always obvious.

[Two_Sheds]

You should be visiting your plot frequently, even if only to make sure the roof is still on your shed.
Haven't you got crops in the ground? Or didn't you get round to planting any?
You won't be digging in this horrible cold wet weather, but just pop up there and show your face

[where2start]

We don't have allotments here in the FI, but i am just wondering (whilst drinking coffee at 5:30 in the morning!) is there like a register for plot holders?

Like sign a book or something when you call into the plot?

Sorry only passing the morning away before getting ready for work!

[Alison]

Never heard of a register or the like, in fact at our site there would be nowhere to put anything anyway as there are no communal buildings / areas. I'd forget anyway, went to a Client's office yesterday, signed in there cos I had to in order to get past reception and just found the visitors pass in my bag - do you think they sent a search party out when it got dark?

[Snadger]

Seems a bit Orwelian to me!

Wonder how well a timeclock with clockcards to be stamped at the gate would go down with the populace? Nah, maybe in a Jetsons version of allotments in the 30th century when each plotholder would be barcoded, but not now methinks!

Because of fire regulations we have to sign into each building at work now so they can have a roll call of who was in the building if there's a fire!

[rogesse]

I've not done anything on my plot for 6 weeks and only visited twice (to check the roof is still on the shed.....and strim to give the pretence of cultivation).

Communication as Hans mum says. I have been unable to get down the allotment as much as I would like due to family illlness then berievement that took me out of the country. I told people before I went, my partner kept them up dated whilst I was away and I rang the secretary when I got back. It would seem that people are very accommodating if you let them know what is going on.

I have child care and work to deal with and but can get quite a ticking off from regulars if I'm not there at least once a week for most of a day!

[zazen999]

I got stuck at my plot today - so muddy. I tried to stop the car on the paving slabs but it slipped backwards. I had to get the door that I had thankfully taken up there last week, lay it down and drive over it. It was our old back door; flippin heavy.

Only took the car to drop off a load of stuff, and plant my garlic trial cloves.

Anyhoo...often when i visit there is nobody around...people know what you have done though as when they are there they say 'Ooh, planted those out' - 'or you've taken up some cabbages I see'...but today I was glad nobody was around to see me getting muddier and angrier as I tried to get out of the flippin' mud.

In the end I forgot to drop off the things in the boot anyway...ho humm.

It is good to show your face there - but if something does take you away it would be advisable to get back as soon as you can and let the secretary know the situation.