Thinking of taking on a second plot... can it be done?

[Samuel1988]

Afternoon all,

I acquired my first allotment patch July 2013 after my neighbour let me take on half of his plot due to his back problems.

At first I struggled due to the various initial logistics of setting up - such as having to sow some seeds in my nans greenhouse then transporting them to plant out on the site, having no where to shelter from short showers etc etc but now, considering I have a polytunnel set up I seem to have a nice 'central base' to work from making it easier to do what I need to do to get some nice food for my family.

I have also made many learning mistakes and plan to adopt a 'no dig' policy relating to the areas I have already dedicated for growing food.

I was thinking of taking on a second plot for the following reasons but I do have a problem of over/under estimating things so I thought I would start this post to see if it is worth the effort:

- The allotment site has around a 1/3 of plots which are not cultivated (approximately 10), as to say are available to rent, which does not include those which people have/are abandoning/not turning up
- I am really starting to enjoy gardening (for various reasons) and it will help with the practical side of the Lvl 2 RHS course I am doing (as it just deals with the theory side of stuff atm)
- I have learnt that working together with other plot holders makes life easier, so maybe I can make it more communally orientated.
- I am learning more time/energy efficient ways of doing things (e.g. no double digging etc) and I welcome more mistakes to learn from
- I want to grow more food as my aunty (who is helping me) is pinching my produce for the guinea pig!!!
- I am planning to use a big cover after strimming the plot to help suppress weeds while I take it on section by section.

Am I MAD?

Samuel

[lottie dolly]

NO,your doing what a lot of others have done,however,if you can have the plots next to each other that is even better,as long as you can cope with doing more,as in not the growing and planting,but the weeding and prep side of things,as in time related,then go for it,

[Bill HH]

I wouldn't say you're mad but lucky.

[roitelet]

If you have the time GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!

[Jeanied]

Your reasons 'for' are quite persuasive - so I think you should! I did - and put some fruit trees in my second one which take minimal work.

[Nicos]

No- you're not mad...we used to have 3 full sized ones and work full time!
BUT...there were 2 of us doing it.

One of our neighbours put his 3rd plot over to grass, but with chickens, bees and a small orchard and selection of fruit bushes.
Not at all hard work, but you'd need the OK to do that of course.

We reckoned once a plot was up and running it would take about 7 hrs a week per plot at peak growing time, but that's not allowing for tea/lunch/natter breaks!

As you say, consider more energy saving ways of growing, and crops which don't need a lot of attention.
It's waaay better for a plot to be used than left to go weedy and blow weed seeds onto everyone else's plots!

Yep- go for it!

[andy_j]

I have just taken on a second plot which is going to be used for potatoes and parsnips and other stuff that doesn't like manure as it's too difficult to get manure up there.

[binley100]

If you think you can cope then do it..I was going to take on the plot next door (an extra 20 rods / 1/8 0f an acre) but my friend has just asked if i can go halves on her plot cos its getting too much for her ..

[Tripmeup]

I am going to disagree with the others ( was away for a few days, but think you are still allowed to do that ? ) and say, Yes , you are mad...
.. But that helps, so go for it

[Feral007]

I've no idea if you are mad or not - but definately go for the 2nd plot if you think you can manage it (while you wait for an official mental health diagnosis )

Sounds like it will be a good thing for you physically, financially, and for general enjoyment.

[Samuel1988]

UPDATE:

I phoned up the person on the council who is the authority for my allotment area to determine if I could get a second patch.

To my surprise there was only one left vacant (there were 7/8 in September) so I am having doubts to go ahead to acquire a second patch as I think it will be unfair on others.

However I did arrange to meet with him purely because there are around 7-8 patches which do not look to be cultivated and have remained that way since getting my patch in April. I have also never seen the person who has taken on the patch next to me once since April and no work has been done on it (no evidence of cultivation).

I'm in two minds: part of me doesn't want to be greedy and freeze a potential new allotter out of a patch but part of me is a bit down on the fact that there are a good number of plots which look like the person has given up/not bothered to start and I would rather have it so at least it is being paid by someone who is using it for what it is meant to be used for and if it means taking a second plot I would happily do so.

What should I do?

Also is there like some time limit/commitment for when someone who rents a patch has to start on it etc?

Samuel

[Samuel1988]

I know people can be busy but how do you judge whether someone has given up/not bothered to someone who is busy but manages to get down to work on the plot?

[Mikey]

I'd say if it looks a tip and is untouched full of weeds then there is a good chance they have done nothing. One of the plotholders near me likes to let plants go to seed then cut them down and leave them to rot on the surface, it always looks a bit wild and unless he's planting he doesn't weed. However he is there quite a bit pottering about so it can be hard to judge what is looked after and what is not. I try not to judge others too harshly though as sometimes work commitments and bad weather can keep me away from my plot for a while and when I go back I'm ashamed of the state its in.

If you think you can double the time you spend there then crack on.

[Samuel1988]

Yeah - I just don't want to freeze any future people out but if I take it on then there is bound to be a few people who will give up as I've been told that happens quite often in our allotment site.

I just don't want to take on another patch whilst im sowing, planting, harvesting etc. I wouldn't mind taking it on now whilst I have more time due to the cold weather.

[Nicos]

....not mad at all!...go for it as the others have said...just be aware that once establisher you will need about 7 man hours per plot minimum...depending on what you are growing and how much you like/ need to natter!!