Poll: How many Allotment plots do you have?

[RedThorn]

Instead of moaning at old timers having multiple plots, they should be thanked for saving many sites from becoming developed. There was a time when having an allotment was not popular and by them taking multiple plots saved the sites for future generations.


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[Mikey]

I emailed my request which was lost also, I managed to find my email and could prove when it was sent, so they moved me to the correct location in the list. Do you have a record of your request hiding somewhere.

I put my name down online and was told there was two year waiting list, after two years i E-mailed them to ask how close i was to the top of the list only to be told they had no record of my appplication.. So now I have another two year wait!!! at 65 another two years is a long time. if I thought there were people on those allotments with multiple plots i would consider it the height of selfishness to be honest.

[Mikey]

I have no problem with someone having multiple plots if they tend them. I also don't think that having garden has any relevance. My garden is for my daughter to play and for my chickens to roam, my allotment is for me to grow veg.

We have one plot on our site which looks more like a garden than a veg bed, and to be fair it doesn;t look right to me. It looks neat and tidy, but it only has a 4 x 1 metre square beds for veg and a bit of fruit on a 300sqm plot all the rest is cut grass. For me this is not an allotment its a very cheaply rented garden, an allotment to me should be cultivated.

[marcofez]

I have just the one full plot. More than enough for me!!

[Bill HH]

I emailed my request which was lost also, I managed to find my email and could prove when it was sent, so they moved me to the correct location in the list. Do you have a record of your request hiding somewhere.

unfortunately not, I have since increased my veg space at my home but its barely adequate, and after watching "allotment wars" about the allotments in Torquay (where i applied) I aint so sure I even want one now. I shall remain on the list though just in case i change my mind. This next year I plan to expand onto my double garage roof to gain some more space.

[Bill HH]

Instead of moaning at old timers having multiple plots, they should be thanked for saving many sites from becoming developed. There was a time when having an allotment was not popular and by them taking multiple plots saved the sites for future generations.


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With all due respect, that was then, this is now. If there is a waiting list those with more than one plot should consider giving one up. Its not a legal thing its a moral issue. I dont actualy blame those "Old timers" one bit, it is the job of the contolling organisation to set fair rules.

[Martin H]

I agree with Bill.

Once there's a waiting list, those with multiple plots need to be thanked for maintaining the extra plot and politely asked to give it up at the end of the season.

But I know we've had this discussion before and not everyone agrees.

[Mikey]

Sorry I disagree with the pair of you, when you've had a plot for some time you get very attached to it, especially when you put so much work into it. If the plot is kept neat and tidy and is well looked after no one should be made to give up an extra plot. Its morally wrong to ask a tenant who is maintaining a plot well to give it back. I've seen plenty of new people come onto our site and basically do nothing for a year.

Imagine if you were the one to have kept a plot for 20 odd years in beautiful condition then be forced to give it up and see it go to rack and ruin within a year. I think that would just about do it for me.

I know people want plots but it shouldn't be at the expense of existing tenants, and they shouldn't be made to feel guilty for having more than one.

[marcofez]

Looks like I'm guilty of more posts saying the same thing!!!
Twice I've said " I've only got the one plot" (third time now) I've lost the plot!!
Absent mindedness!!!!

[veggiechicken]

So how many plots do you have Martin?

[Olorin2001]

I moved from London to Southampton in 2000, at that time allotments were not popular and there was no waiting list, The council's allotment officer activley encouraged keen people to take on multiple plots. Once you showed you could effectively cultivate your plot you could have up to the statutary maximum of 40 rods.
Right now there are many sites in Southampton with no waiting list, although there is one where you would expect to wait 5 years for a plot.
On the site I am on there are three vacant plots, and another two where I know the present tenant is giving up at the end of the year. And three plots where the tenants are going to be repossesed next year if they don't start cultivating to an acceptable standard.
I have heard people asking why some have more than one plot, normally asked by people who haven't dug over their one plot yet. Seen people come and go, only 10% last for more than four years, over half give up within a few months, once they see the work involved then the novelty of an allotment loses it's appeal.
I have 30 rods in total and after 12 years of hard graft I am not giving them up for anyone, especially when statistically anyone taking one on won't stay the course.

[Martin H]

Just the one. And there wasn't a waiting list.

[Littlefox2000]

Hi everyone,

I have two plots at my site (one half and a full one), but the main reason was because the first plot I was given has a really bad tendency to flooding, which I was never told til after I took it and set up all my raised beds. We're allowed chickens and bees on the site, but with a water logging plot, this wasn't something I could do with the first plot, so the council felt bad and offered me a second, with no flooding issues. If I hadn't done all the work on my first plot, I might have just swapped

At my site, plots come up quite regularly and the borough has loads of empty plots at other sites and there is no waiting list. If at some point in the future that changes, I would consider giving up my first half plot, but there's no issue at the moment. I think my site would rather have worked plots and people having more than one, than a load of empty unworked and over grown plots.

LF


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[Bill HH]

Sorry I disagree with the pair of you, when you've had a plot for some time you get very attached to it, especially when you put so much work into it. If the plot is kept neat and tidy and is well looked after no one should be made to give up an extra plot. Its morally wrong to ask a tenant who is maintaining a plot well to give it back. I've seen plenty of new people come onto our site and basically do nothing for a year.

Imagine if you were the one to have kept a plot for 20 odd years in beautiful condition then be forced to give it up and see it go to rack and ruin within a year. I think that would just about do it for me.

I know people want plots but it shouldn't be at the expense of existing tenants, and they shouldn't be made to feel guilty for having more than one.

Well I must say I can see your point in those circumstances, but it doesnt solve the problem, perhaps new tennants should take a test or an interview to prove their capability. Maybe it should be limited to no more than two plots. Surely two plots should be enough for anybody. I suspect some people with three plots are bringing in friends or relatives to share the work and produce.

[Vince G]

We have 2 half plots. We got our first half 3 years ago, and last summer the old chap that had the neighbouring half plot decided it was getting too much for him. So we enquired with the committee if we could have it, thus re-uniting 2 halves of what was once a full plot. Field sec was happy to let us have it, the old chap was delighted we'd be "looking after" his plot and we're happy as we can now grow things that need a bit more room such as fruit bushes and asparagus.