I've had my name down with a local Allotment Society since last year and they called me a couple weeks ago saying that there was one available and did I want to go and have a look.
It was actually a half plot, which would be enough for me, and this is what It looked like.
I'm on a couple allotment groups on fb so I know that compared to some this isn't too bad. What you can't see from the photos is that the previous occupant had dug holes and piled up the dirt so the ground wasn't level. It was mostly grass that would have to be cleared but the top end was really overgrown and again had been banked up, nothing grown just some tulip bulbs planted randomly around.
I seriously thought about it, weighing up the pros and cons for a week before I called back and refused it It would have been way cheaper than the Roots one I have now butthere were quite a few drawbacks. It had no shed or storage, I would have to buy compost, manure, extra tools and some water storage, plus a shed, which is a big expense. The Guy that showed me round said that he didn't blame me for not taking it on, (which made me realise I'd made the right decission), and that I could stay on the list and see if something more suitable came up in the future.
I've spent a lot of time on my Roots plot these last two weeks getting it ready for planting and thinking that I definitly made the right choice. I think I've said before that with Roots all the tools, compost, manure and wood chips are there for you to use freely, plus seeds packs twice a year and regular plug plant parties and coffee meet ups. They might be more expensive but you have to take into account what you get for that money as oposed to buying it all yourself. Plus, everyone is so friendly and helpful, sharing plants and even offering to water If you are away or can't get to your plot. I didn't get the feeling there was much community spirit at the Allotment Society one, I think you would be pretty much on you own.
Anyway, the decission has been made and I think It was the right one, for now.
This Is how my space looks at the moment.
Strawberries are growing well, but the rhubarb hasn't been too good this year though, I had to remove a flower head so perhaps that's why, I have noticed that a lot on other plots had flower heads this year too.
I'm very very happy with my cabbages. I planted four and have already taken some of the outer leaves to eat.
I planted out my broad beans this week. Only three plants survived the pigeons from the Autumn ones, so far the Spring ones haven't been touched.
I planned on having tomatoes in this section behind the seat but when I was clearing the weeds this week I discovered several raspberry plants, so I'll leave those and put tomatoes elsewhere. There were also lots of poppy plants, presents from the birds or blown on the wind? I've planted sweetpeas around the trellis since I took this photo.
I origionaly shared two plots with my daughter Joanne but she Is too busy with the children and other things at the moment so now I'm going it alone with just this one.
Mark has been down there with me today and made a bigger brassica cage for me and I've got many more things at home almost ready to go in, including some cauliflowers and more seeds to sow.
The rest of May is going to be a busy time and hopefully there will be less bare soil next time I update.
-X-
23 comments:
Your allotment is looking good and I think you made the right decision not to have the other one.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan, yes I think I made the right decision too, although I was very tempted for a few days.
Your Roots allotment is gorgeous, Maggie! The only time my garden has been that weed free was when I first tilled it. If I get mulch down it helps quite a bit, but I'm not ready for that yet. That other allotment stopped me in my tracks. When you wrote it wasn't too bad, I thought, "this woman is of much hardier stock than me!" :D I look forward to watching your garden grow.
Aww thank you. Allotments here are generally in a neglected state when offered, which is a shame, some I've seen are covered
In brambles and bineweed. I think I'm getting a much better deal with the Roots one
Hello Maggie - thank you so much for your visit to my blog & your sweet kind comment. I have come over here to "visit you". Gosh your plants are all looking wonderful & so healthy. I think by looking at your photos (first ones) you certainly made the right decision by turning down that allotment. A busy time for you Maggie - as we go into autumn here. Julie 😊
A tidy looking productive space, I have to net my beds because of the pigeons and my cat, my broad beans are full of black fly which the small birds are loving.
Your allotment looks really good. I'd love to have one but the waiting list where I live is 7 years at present.
Your space looks very good. You can get going on planting. There would have been so much to do at the other one.
Wow, looking very good.
God bless.
A wise decision. That looks like it would have been a LOT of work.
Your plot is looking great! X
I think you made the right decision. We took on a plot which looked a lot worse than the one you was offered, it was hard work, I can tell you. There's a Roots site where I live now, I'd definitely go there if I were to ever have another allotment. Good look this year, there's always failures as well as successes but fingers crossed that this year will bring more wins than losses.
Thank you for visiting :-) Fingers crossed the plants continue to thrive, yes I think i made the right decision.
Oh no, I hope your broad beans survive!
Wow that's a long waiting list. Fingers crossed you can get one someday
There would have been so much work on the other one, it would have taken a year to get it something like
Thank you, It's so rewarding
It would have been a lot of work and I would have been doing it on my own so I think i made the right decision.
I can recomend Roots If you are ever thinking about growing again, the comunity is very friendly and the space just big enough to manage.
I can see why you turned the offered allotment down, Maggie. Your current set-up is so beautiful and you've already put so much work into it. I don't know much about allotments and such as here people just tend to have gardens in their backyards, but it sounds like a great plan for folks with small backyard space! Hope you have a stellar growing year!
Yes I realise now how much hard work that other allotment would have been, glad I decided against it. This years growing has been slow to start as the weather can't make up its mind! I think allotments are an British thing, not sure other countries have them.
Oh your old plot was much better .
Have fun June.
Yes it is, I'm glad i refused the other one, it would have been so much work for me
You made the right choice about the second allotment, Maggie. It would have been so much work to make it viable for you and a lot of additional cost. The right site will be available at the right time. In the meantime your current Roots plot is looking great and you already have lots of good plants growing there.
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