Plot vs Garden

[Kathy2053]

Hi all - I'm considering giving up my allotment and re-designing the garden so I can grow veg there instead. Am finding it difficult to find enough time to get to the plot often enough and have been disappointed by the harvests so far (this being the second). To make the plot viable we'd need to add tonnes of compost to the mostly-stones-and-clay-soil and build our raised beds up taller - which seems a lot of work and money for no guaranteed returns...

so basically - how would you guys feel about just using the garden (greenhouse, coldframe and about 18 sq m split into two sections) rather than the allotment? What are the pros and cons of an allotment - and the pros and cons of the garden ??

Am due to pay my next year's rent on the allotment soon - so any help in making up my mind would be welcome!

[chris]

Im growing at home in my gardens, I find it good as currently I can't get an allotment (waiting lists are very long) - and it means, like the other day I can go out, pull some sweet corn off the plant and cook it instantly, along with everything else Obviously if your allotment is close to you then that negates that point, but for me, the allotment would be a drive away.

It also means I can keep on top of pests. Downside being neighbours cats (and them constantly trying to mess in my garden).

You can bulk buy from rolawn direct, or via a reseller... I think I was quoted around £75/m^3 bag. I went down the bagged compost route though, after having a bad load of soil/compost mix delivered. That was very expensive.

When I can finally get an allotment, I still will grow at home - I've 3 beds in my main garden, and peas/beans in a border - in a side garden I have a sqft gardening bed, made up of 30 squares to grow individual items in (only really works for short/low lying crops.. I tried PSB in there, and it was a disaster!)

I also grow some fruit in a couple beds, along a wall - so far no real problems bar aphids.. Have had a lot of sucess considering it's my first year of proper growing. That said, the temptation to take up more garden for growing is ever tempting!

[chris]

<snip>To make the plot viable we'd need to add tonnes of compost to the mostly-stones-and-clay-soil and build our raised beds up taller - which seems a lot of work and money for no guaranteed returns...</snip>

Why is it for no guaranteed returns? You don't *have* to create raised beds.. I did, due to me building mine on an area covered with stone chippings, that was covering a load of slate chipping.. In my side garden, I've 3 beds, but also am growing "direct" in the ground too. There's also pots and troughs to grow in too!

You probably know clay is great for growing in, in terms of nutrients - it just needs opening up a bit.. so adding organic matter bit by bit will help. You could always try it with one section/designated bed - if it works for you, make that bed into a raised bed (for looks?), and build your others?

I think whatever hobby/item you can do you'll always get set backs, but I'm sure you've had some great moments when eating food you've grown yourself? Don't give up!

Obviously, depending on your plot and garden size you'll loose or gain space, but have you thought about sharing your allotment with a friend/neighbour - and split the work & harvest? That might be another option for you to consider.

Edit: if you wanted to grow root crops such as carrots/parnsips with "nice" roots, then you can also grow these in pots.. Solway Cropper has done so in flower buckets - see his thread in this forum.. 16 out of a flower bucket is a great use of space. I grow my carrots in pots on my decking.. you need to keep on top of watering obviously, but it's great to watch my wife and daughter nip out and pull a carrot and munch on it

[Kathy2053]

Thanks chrimarks - the allotment is a 15 minute walk away (we don't have a car) which is another factor!

I should have explained my comment about no guaranteed return - this year my onions and garlic got "rust" and died - within a few days it seemed! and my potato harvest has been pitiful - probably due to the cement-like soil and stones.

Our allotment committee frown upon plot sharing, or group "ownership", as they are keen to clear the waiting list - another factor is guilt of feeling i'm not using a plot fully that someone else is waiting for...

I won't give up - but just think that the garden is the easier option - it does feel like i'm admitting defeat though!

[Ruth M C]

Kathy
When I moved to my currant house seven seasons ago I decided not to have an allotment but to concentrate on the garden. Living in the city I felt that if I could have part 'traditional' garden with grass and flowers etc, and the other part to veg it would suit two purposes. Firstly as a shift worker (both days and nights) time to drive or cycle to an allotment would not be a waste or too much effort when shattered after work. Secondly I could concentrate on creating a fruit & vegetable patch that would enhance my property and when I come to sell would help to keep up the value (especially with the boom in home growing).
Although it is, in reality, a more complicated a reason than that, I feel I've done really well with how my garden now looks. The base soil is heavy clay but my wooden raised beds look great and although it took 5 seasons I can now grow root vegetables. Plus the investment I've made is in my own property and one day should be able to recoup. When I have family and friends to visit we almost always end up walking around the garden talking about it. When I get home from work I can use my garden (which is generally quite private) to relax and unwind without having to speak to anyone - I hold a demanding public sector job working with people! During the winter months or inclement weather I can still look out on the veg patch and watch the seasons pass with pleasure. Popping out for a sprig of herbs or to dig up just one leek is not a problem. It is my preference to have a veg garden.

I had an allotment many years ago but found it daunting due to size and time it took to get there from home. Plus I was a less experienced gardener and eventually gave it up.
I think it's a personal choice. I've had great enjoyment out of my own garden - I don't have others noticing my 'mistakes' or 'failures'.

One of the big lessons I've learned is not to grow too much variety but to grow what you would definitely eat and one or two other experiments only. To get the basics right on one particular veg group each season. As your confidence grows you can then do the minimum on the group you understand and work on another group. A lot can be grown in a small space but it does take some organising.

This is only my opinion based on my own situation but hope it helps

KR
Ruth

[Ruth M C]

You're not admitting defeat - you're using your resources and energy in a better way. If your allotment is giving you negative vibes and you're struggling to get to grips with it give it all a rest and start enjoying your garden. You may find that after working your garden for several years you'll go back to having an allotment.

[Alison]

I don't have a very big garden but it was a good nursery for honing my skills but I have outgrown the space so an allotment was the only way forward. If you have a garden which is big enough then you should be OK although I found that there were far more tree roots etc at home and a lot more shady areas whereas my plot is very open but for some reason not windy. This is the second full season for my plot and I've been amazed how much more I've grown than I ever could at home but again a lot of that was land space related. However, also, I care more about the appearance of my garden than I do at the plot where I'm quite happy with functional to keep costs down.

Unlike Ruth above, I've tried growing a very wide range of things to work out what is good in my soil and now cut back to what is worth the effort but either approach is valid.

[Ruth M C]

Alison - I mentioned that not growing a huge variety was something I've learnt over the years as when I first started in this garden I tried to grow everything I could get my hands on. 'Variety' was the name of the game. It was great fun to get all the strange veg I'd never heard of growing but it was so much that a lot of the harvest was wasted due to inexperience, unknown pests inappropriate planting etc - which I don't like doing.

I think what you have done is great, in finding out what really works for your garden and that is what I am doing now and into the next few seasons.
KR
Ruth

[Kathy2053]

Thanks all....
I've already started thinking about what i could fit into the garden - long rows of spuds and suchlike will be out i guess! so I guess I will spend the next few years doing the same as Ruth and Alison in finding out what works. Planning the beds is going to be fun too - got to think of crop rotation, pests (cats will definately be an issue) - and just how attractive will the garden be if i wrap everything in enviromesh ??

To be honest i think my mind is made up - as Ruth said, I also work long hours and the idea of being able to pop out for half hour's digging/weeding/picking is very appealing... and what fun the planning stage will be !

[Ruth M C]

Yes, Kathy, it is good fun, especially in the winter when you can sit at a warm fire side and still see the garden with the seed catalogues and cups of coffee surrounding you.

Potatoes can easily be grown in pots so don't give up on those yet. If you grow loads of spuds they just become another potato, but just a few home grown ones taste that bit more special.

Don't overlook vertical gardening and hanging baskets and there are plenty of ideas in the gardening mags for small space growing and veg types.

Hope you enjoy it all

KR
Ruth

[chris]

Thanks all....
I've already started thinking about what i could fit into the garden - long rows of spuds and suchlike will be out i guess! so I guess I will spend the next few years doing the same as Ruth and Alison in finding out what works. Planning the beds is going to be fun too - got to think of crop rotation, pests (cats will definately be an issue) - and just how attractive will the garden be if i wrap everything in enviromesh ??

To be honest i think my mind is made up - as Ruth said, I also work long hours and the idea of being able to pop out for half hour's digging/weeding/picking is very appealing... and what fun the planning stage will be !

I grow spuds in potato planters.. mainly because i don't want to have to incorporate them into rotation, and I can move them around as I need to...

[Bigmallly]

I love getting up in the morning & just venturing out in the garden checking everything is ok. I don't have to worry about vandels stealing crops or breaking into the shed as it is alarmed. An allotment plot would be far to big for me, even half plot would be too large. I've had great success with my first year @ square foot growing. You could always grow your spuds in bags, there are many threads on the vine about growing tatties.I suppose it's each to their own really.

[Ruth M C]

I've been thinking about your plans and comments. I had a terrible problem with cats - they loved my raised beds. I spent a lot of £s on cat deterrents with little effect. They were immune to everything. Then I bought a sonic cat deterrent with and AC adaptor. The first year the squirrels chewed through the wire as they didn't like the sound but then I taped the replacement wire along the wall and I rarely get cats in the garden any more.

In my front flower beds the cats wrecked plant after plant until I put down bark chippings in July and they haven't been near it since.

Back to my raised beds - I've got hooped water piping bent over them to hold any covering that I use. I've made sure the piping is all the same length/height and is spaced exactly the same distance apart in all beds so it looks neat and tidy. In late winter/early spring the enviromesh looks exciting - as if it's hiding a present - at least that's how I view it. Later in the season I use netting which hardly shows against the green of the veg and/or the winter brassicas. The latter I needs as I get a lot of wood pigeons.

KR

Ruth

[Kathy2053]

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that feels an allotment is too big ... feeling much better about it all now - thanks all ! Have always loved reading this forum - reading answers to my own question is even better... will have to think of more to ask about!

[Ruth M C]

Hope you don't mind me asking but how have you alarmed your shed. I'm planing one at the bottom of the garden well away from electricity. Although I've had no problems I want to protect what I do put in the shed.

KR
Ruth