I think that the half plot starter idea is the best way forward, if all new plot holders were given half plots for twelve months to see how they got on and then decide if they want a full plot. I've been on my plot for a lot of years and the one next to me has been vacant on and off throughout that time, I could have asked for that plot to add to mine as many people have more than one plot but I have to say that one plot is enough for me and takes up enough of my time. One half decent plot is better than two unkempt plots any day.
Barry , 2 ladies had a full plot near me but where struggling and it was surgested they go down to half which they did and a new person took on the other half , seems to have work well , why not mention it to your allotment committee
They already provide half and I think quarter plots so if a person only wants a small plot they are provided for, I read somewhere though that some allotment sites only let out half plots for starters until they can show that they can cope and have the commitment, I think that those sites are in areas that have long waiting lists though where it's not fair to tie a full plot up with someone who doesn't use it to it's full potential while others are waiting for a plot.
My allotment item is full of empty plots, ours had been abandoned for two years before we took it on!
It’s our first and a full size plot, which is more than I originally wanted. But the other plots available were rubbish.
Just viewing it as a long term project and not trying to get all of it in full use at once straight away. So far we’ve cleared it of brambles etc. (which was a major job in itself) removed a good chunk of the rubbish that was left, built compost bins and started the wildlife area at the back.
Im hoping to get there this week to finally put up the posts for fruit tree trellis. We’ve also just received our polytunnel so need to level an area for that and get it set up.
"I do so agree sometimes I think it is the fault of TV gardening. The
trouble is they don't want to take up air time showing how long it takes
to prep a piece of ground. "
More and more I am thinking of gardening TV allied with garden centre/supermarket plant sells is coming close to fleecing people. All the make-over shows make out that all you need to do is put any plant in the ground and it will shoot away. The before/after shots make little mention of soil, sun, watering, tending and long term attention. As the ignored plants die in a few months and people go to get more, it's basically a licence to endlessly print money.
Our site is one where we try to give new people only a Half to start for exactly the reasons others have said, once they have proved themselves we can give them more. Only if someone else on the site can vouch for them will we willingly give them a full plot to start.
Had a couple of hours at plot this morning , cleared last years cabbage , broccoli and sprouts , some bits fed to another plot holders chickens 🐓, stems/ roots taken home for garden bin and rest in compost bin Still to dig beds over O/H dug up rest of leeks and I dug up some parsnips Another temporary repair to broken fence post due to storm Dennis , noticed 2 poly tunnels & a g/h destroyed on other plots Now decorating finished at home can concentrate on allotment Happy Gardening 👍
Despite the forecast and my general bad luck with the weather whenever I go, it was dry and mild on my visit this morning. Managed to get all 6 posts put in.
some of the plots at the lower end of the allotment site were under water. Luckily ours is quite high up.
Next time I go, I’ll be screwing in vine eyes and erecting the wires. Then moving a couple of the apple trees and hopefully planting some more fruit trees (Aldi this Thursday)
Also need to cut back and move those gooseberries!
Started putting the wires up between the posts yesterday afternoon. Planted my new Concord pear from Aldi and had to cut it back quite severely! Also replanted one of the apple trees that was already on the plot - which luckily had arms already in the right places for the first tier. So did careful pruning on that one. Lopped off the top and cut back the arms by a third to downward facing buds. Reduced the other spurs and branches.
Posts
It’s our first and a full size plot, which is more than I originally wanted. But the other plots available were rubbish.
Just viewing it as a long term project and not trying to get all of it in full use at once straight away. So far we’ve cleared it of brambles etc. (which was a major job in itself) removed a good chunk of the rubbish that was left, built compost bins and started the wildlife area at the back.
Im hoping to get there this week to finally put up the posts for fruit tree trellis. We’ve also just received our polytunnel so need to level an area for that and get it set up.
Maybe wait until the storm is finished!
Still to dig beds over
O/H dug up rest of leeks and I dug up some parsnips
Another temporary repair to broken fence post due to storm Dennis , noticed 2 poly tunnels & a g/h destroyed on other plots
Now decorating finished at home can concentrate on allotment
Happy Gardening 👍
some of the plots at the lower end of the allotment site were under water. Luckily ours is quite high up.
Next time I go, I’ll be screwing in vine eyes and erecting the wires. Then moving a couple of the apple trees and hopefully planting some more fruit trees (Aldi this Thursday)
Also need to cut back and move those gooseberries!