Are you a plot addict?

[Sara]

Hi everyone,

Could you help me out by answering a question?

I know you're all keen gardeners, but do you ever find yourself spending too long on the plot? Maybe you slip outside even when you don't have any gardening jobs to do? Or perhaps you're a time-poor home-grower who aims for high yields but doesn't spend long on the veg patch.

Personally, I'm always desperate to get outside on a sunny day but I'm not as dedicated in cold weather. I'll rush through any jobs then head back inside to get warm!

Your comments may be edited and published in the magazine's December issue.

[Hans Mum]

i've put 12-16hours as an average - in summer when the light nights are here its a lot more and in the depths of winter probably a bit less. Having said that the only thing that keeps me away from the lottie is rain!!! & then ive been known to potter in the poly tunnel for a couple of hours just to get my 'fix'.
I have a f/t job which can be quite (very) stressful and its my way of unwinding and destressing, I can always find a job to do even in winter, there's still things to do and the site i'm on is quite sociable so there's usually someone about even in the depths of winter to have a coffee & a natter with. Last year in all the snow went over & met a fellow plotholder just to have a walk round and the site looked beautiful covered in a foot of snow. We took the opportunity to make sure the various ponds on site were clear and not iced over.
Asked my OH if he thought I spent too long there and he says no as it stops me finding jobs for him to do at home

[Mrs Dobby]

All depends on the time of year, the amount of work that needs to be done and what else is happening in our lives!

This time of year we spend most of our plot time harvesting and clearing, later on it will be mucking beds and covering for the winter, then as the winter progresses we wont be there as much, a couple of times a week max for harvesting winter veg (leeks, sprouts, brassicas), and sorting out paths for the coming year, but once we hit midwinter, then a lot of time will be spent at home planting seedlings and potting them on ready for planting out in the spring!

Springtime we spend every spare moment on the plot, digging and planting out crops, we've been known to get there at first light and not go home until its gone dark, we even take a weeks hols in March and another in May to spend on the plot planting out and getting everything sorted!

Once the crops are in, then we spend the next few months weeding assiduously, making sure our crops get the best start they can, late June we spend at least a week of our 2 week summer breaks on the plot, reclearing and barking up paths and ensuring that there are no weeds, not only for the allotment judging, but also to ensure we have weed free beds and paths so we can concentrate on harvesting once the crops are ready!

Once the end of august arrives we're back into harvesting mode, weeds arent bothered with quite as much as before, tho any that are going to seed or are in overwintering veg beds are sorted out!

From March thru to October we also spend about 5 hours a week on the plot looking after our 6 beehives, time consuming, but definitely worthwhile!

So, to sum up, thru the winter I'd say an average of no more than 5 hours each max, and some weeks only an hour or so each, thru spring that can rise to 60 hours each when we are off, and 30 hours each when working!

Is it worth it? Definitely! With over £1500 worth of organic fruit and veg plus the honey harvest, we are virtually self sufficient for fruit and veg for most of the year!

[jackie j]

If I could I would spend all day every day at the allotment, we now have two ( half plots ) so there is always work to do especially the second one we took on in February this year.

[vicky]

I spend at least an hour every day (but mine's in the back garden so it's easier) to the whole day - 6 hrs or more, depending on what there is to do. I frequently find myself still there when OH gets back from work expecting his dinner on the table and I have forgotten to collect a child from school on occasion...fortunately a big child who was quite happy to be left with her friends for longer!

[pipkins]

I must spend 12-16 hours a week on mine and even more in the summer there is always something to do. This winter we will spend time on the paths and building cages to protect crops, we also need to work on improving the soil and covering the beds until they are needed.

[Nicos]

I worked out that just getting stuck in on a ready prepared plot, then 7 hrs a week minimum is needed per week per full plot.
Add a bit of nattering and a picnic/brew break or sheltering in the greenhouse from the rain obviously adds to the time ( and enjoyment)

As it's not meant to be a 'chore' ( for most of us)which is done quickly and left...but meant to be enjoyed, so it's clearly going to take longer!

[winstonwobble]

mines at home so i nip in and out all day every day i can always find a job even in the winter months as i have chooks ducks turkeys and pigs to see to as well plus all the weeding and maintaining of paths beds etc would i change it not on your life as i love every minuite

[gojiberry]

I spend most of my spare time gardening, either in the greenhouses, garden or allotment. To me it is social as well as anything else and sometime I will be on the lottie for a couple of hours and get nothing done as I have spent the time talking to other plot holders. One of the other plot holders is call Talking Tony and if he is on site it is difficult to get away with less then an hour at least talking.

Ian

[Sara]

Thanks for your comments, everyone. When you're on the plot do you spend all of your time gardening or, like gojiberry, do you usually stop for a chat?

[Alison]

It varies a lot really, I put 12 to 16 as that's what I'm spending at the moment but it was a lot more in spring / early summer and will probably be a bit less in deadest winter (although last year, expect when the snow wa bad I was still managing about 12 hours a week there). I don't work Fridays and often spend most of the day there on my own with other people only appearing towards the end of the day which I love - really peaceful and I get loads done. Much busier on, say a Saturday afternoon or Wednesday evening in summer and you do have to factor in some chatting time but I try and keep it in balance or I'd never get it all done

[vegnut]

If it was'nt for work i would definately be on the plot for a lot longer than i am now. At the height of summer i can spend hours just picking produce, thats not including weeding and sowing seeds for continuous crop rotation. Oh and thats not including any building of structures and paths or strimming ,mowing edging etc. We need a martian 48 hour day sometimes.

[Snadger]

I usually spend a couple of hours at the allotment every weekday evening and one full day at the weekends (usually Sunday)

Once in a while I might actually get around to doing a bit of gardening when I'm there!

Sorting chooks,gassing to neighbours and pottering about is the usual format!

[Mrs Dobby]

We will stop for a natter (and a brew), and usually stop and have lunch with some friends, but otherwise we are busy, it can be a problem when you've lots to do and someone comes over and starts talking, but generally we will talk whilst working, so its not too much of a problem!

[SueA]

I don't have an allotment but still manage to spend a fair bit of time in the garden. Everything seems to take longer than I anticipate, I think 'I'll just go out & do half an hour weeding' & come back in 2 hours later! Admittedly sometimes I go outside with big plans & if it's a nice day I may end up standing in a trance listening to the birds for a while before I get around to anything! If I'm working in the front garden I do get lots of people stopping as they pass by to make comments, the favourites being 'you can come & do ours when you've finished', 'you've missed a bit' or 'they'll only come back you know' - when pulling weeds!