What would you do?

[Penny Lane]

There are no plots available in my immediate area. I'm top of the waiting list on one but it could be a long time before any plots are given up. They were hoping at the last meeting to have some good news for me but the person they thought would give up his unused plot turned up

The only thing I can think of is to see if I can get one further away. The area I'm thinking of is 4 miles away but I'm there at least twice a week (husband works there, mother lives there & we go to a couple of baby groups there). I don't drive so will depend on lifts & the train.

I don't want to leave it too late & then be rushing to prepare the ground or even worse, miss the season completely & have to wait another year before planting!
So. Would you wait for a plot to turn up closer to home or try & get one further afield?

[invisiblepiper]

I would find further away a drag which might deter you from going so often. Also, it means you can't go for just a half hour or so.
Sorry - that sounds very wet blanketish - but perhaps something will come up sooner than you think.
No chance of container planting?
PS - would nobody share a plot - thinking of the late to turn up guy?

[StripyPixieSocks]

I agree with Invisiblepiper... being far away is more likely to be a hassle especially when it's wet and cold and you have a 4 mile journey to face... I'd wait I'm afraid.

[Percy]

I'm afraid I would have to agree with the others. Because of the length of the journey a quick hour here and there isn't really feasable. The only exception i would say maybe if you are in the area a couple of times a week is it set up, or could you put a reasonable size shed on the site for a) storing equipment b) somewhere to run in to if it rains etc. once the initial hard work is done I do find a couple of hours a week is usually enough to keep things tidy, dependent of course on the size of the plot.

Good luck which ever way you decide.

[Green Aura]

I had an allotment plot, about 4 miles away, which I gave up after only a season. I had to transport all my tools backwards and forwards each time as there was no secure storage. If I forgot anything I couldn't just go back and get it, if it rained I had to huddle in my car - or go home, which meant I didn't go back again.

However, I could have lived with all those problems. The one that convinced me to give it up was that I couldn't just nip out and get a lettuce or some spuds - I was having to take home several days worth of veg home, in case I couldn't get back for any reason, which defeated some of the purpose of growing my own. I know other people are happy to harvest a weeks worth in one go but I love being able to see what's in the garden and decide what I want, then it gets used that day.

So I agree with the others - I'd wait to get one as close by as possible and maybe grow some things in pots and growbags until that happens. And keep an eye on the local plots - if you notice one that's not being used go and ask about it.

[Penny Lane]

Hmmm... You all make very good points

Even though my mum lives a 5 min walk away it would still be too much... can't very well pop down for a couple of sprouts or potatoes without hassle.

There's another two allotments in the area, I'll try hassling them - one has a phone number but there's just a home address for the other.

Thanks folks, I was very undecided. You've helped a lot

[rebelfilms]

Have you seen this that is happening in Totnes?

Just a thought:

http://totnes.transitionnetwork.org/gardenshare/home

Lots of people in the Totnes area have gardens that are underused, or that go unmanaged due to a lack of time, interest, or physical mobility. At the same time there are many residents living in flats, town houses and rented accommodation, who have no access to a garden, and who would love the chance to grow their own food, herbs and flowers.
This is a local initiative linking up people who have an unused corners of their garden with local commited growers. Many of us have had enough of life as nettle-farmers and want to use our unloved plots to grow cabbages, connections – even friends! The benefits for the garden owners include a share of the produce, the pleasure of seeing a lovely developing vegetable plot, and the sense of community in being part of a sharing initiative.

(of course, nettles make an excellent detoxing tea, so nettle farming is good too)

[Andy Hamilton]

I was going to suggest something similar to rebelfilms, although on a slightly different tact. I know of 2 people in Bristol who found some dissused council land and have set up projects on them. They pay a peppercorn rent in exchange for keeping an area looking presentable.

Perhaps have a look around with some like minded people and approach the council?

[mamos]

What a fantastic idea

We live in a motorhome on a campsite so we have no garden but there must be hundreds of gardens that never get used

Got me thinking now

mamos