plot pals

[Holly]

Hello all,

I've been thinking about how many opportunities there are to meet like-minded people in the fruit and veg world – particularly on an allotment.

How sociable is your plot? Have you made lifelong friends on the patch? Are there social events held at your allotment?

We'd love to find out more about the ways grow-your-owners share tips and get know each other. What have your experiences been?

Your comments may be printed in the February issue of Grow Your Own.

[binley100]

Our hut is open on sat mornings and people wander in for hot drinks and bacon butties and a good natter . We've just organised an events group so that we can do trips, beer and skittles nights etc. We also hold open days which most people get involved in. Although I've not been there quite two years yet I've found that everyone is helpful and friendly.

[rustylady]

I think no comment is the best response to this question for our site. I really don't want to be quoted, but there are really only a few of us that even talk to each other.

[Hans Mum]

i think i've made some lifelong friends (certainly hope so) we socialise on the plot & off. Our site holds several BBQ's/Picnic on the Plot which are always enjoyable, we celebrate the shortest day with mulled wine & mince pies and get excited at the prospect of planting seeds again, and we have a communual area with a permanent gazebo which we congragate in & share a cuppa and a natter. Excess produce is put on a table for sharing. A few of us have just started going to a local hostelry for a quiz night, keeps us in touch over the winter period when we're not on the plot as much. We have had a bacon buttie sunday morning recently which we will probably start to do regularly as it was popular.

[jackie j]

The site I am on is quite freindly but as yet not a lot has been organised. Watch this space as in the new year I will be field manager and hope to get people interested in BBQ'S, seed / plant swapping, days out, clear up the site day and anything else I can think of.

[Alison]

Ours is a very small site, only 10 plots, one of which has never been used in the two years I've had a plot and another which has just been given up. I know all the other plot holders to speak to but rarely see a few of them. Whilst everybody is very friendly and will help each other out we mainly keep ourselves to ourselves as we're all working people who don't really have time to spend chatting for too long when there is so much to do. I find this a really nice balance, quck chat for 10 mins or so then on with the important stuff We don't have any communal areas so no space to do such activities and I doubt I'd be inclined to attend any off site activities as I never seem to have enough time to do the stuff I want already without adding anything more and I don't really like organised entertainment but each to their own.

[Holly]

It's so nice to hear about sociable plots, I can also really understand quieter sites where people are more interested in growing rather than catching up on the gossip!

Do you use any other means to get in contact with fellow growers? This site is testament to the wealth of advice, passion and expertise that's out there – do you have other ways of finding it?

Does anyone know of a good landshare scheme for example?

[Sara]

It's always great to hear stories about friendly groups of growers. Holly and I recently interviewed people from several different farms and community gardens. I particularly loved speaking to one of the farm managers – he worked with an enormous number of volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds.


Do you work alongside a wide mix of people or are you too busy to chat to other plot holders?

[weekendwellies]

I am on a small site, and I very rarely see other plotholders when I am there. One plot is used by a disabled group, and another is used by some parolee type of group. Another plot is used by the local community association- primary school and the like have a raised bed or two each. When I go and someone is there I nod and say hello, but have very rarely got into a good conversation with any of them. On those odd occasions when I have done, then we havent bumped into each other again for some time, so no life long friendships have developed. Some go in the day, some in the evening, some at weekend, and some 2-3 times a year. So the chances of getting to know any of them well enough for friendships are slim.

[Jono]

The old boys seem a lot more interested in my plot when my girlfriend's on it!

[Wren]

Excellent blog Jono

[Cerinthe]

I have a veg garden at home so dont get the chance to chat to others. If any friends come round and I ask if they would like to see my veg garden they mostly look at me as if i'm mad and say something like 'well if i must' or ' but I've got my good shoes on'.
Its wonderful having a plot just yards from the house but it must be nice to be on a site where you can talk veg and share seeds and knowledge etc.

[Jono]

Excellent blog Jono

Thanks Wren.

[Glutton4...]

I grow my Vegetables at my Folks' place, and the other gardening jobs that I do, are on my own. Usually, the only company I have is a Robin.

I also have a full mp3 player to keep me company.