Grow Your Own Magazine

I have my name down on the waiting lists for several local allotments. I recently rang the allotments officer (again!) and found I am now sixth on the list for my preferred site. It's a big place, so that really isn't too bad but I've walked past several times in the past few months and there are WAY more than six plots which clearly haven't been worked for a very long time. Can anyone think of a logical reason why these plots may not currently be on offer? I have (gently) asked our allotments officer if she has the time and opportunity to 'chase' people not making any effort and she said yes. I've also said that I am happy to take on a plot in any condition.

I don't want to start getting @r$ey really but I'm at a loss as to why all these plots remain unused

Claire

Hmmmm...
You really don't want to get on their wrong side do you!!
Maybe you could call in and say how keen you are to become part of their community ( nice people are always smiled upon!!), and say you have noticed there are a lot of neglected sites and offer to help out someone who may be having problems with a whole plot by suggesting sharing one so as to lighten their workload. ( half a plot is better than none eh?)Someone with a bad back/illness might be reluctant to give up the plot ( they become part of your life...) and may just be overfaced with the idea of a whole plot.
Worth a try????

Hi Seahorse,

We have a couple of plots that are somewhat neglected and we know that there is a long waiting list. At our annual meeting we raised this point with the officers who explained that the turn around of a plot was a somewhat lengthy procees involving reminder letters allowing time for the holder to sort it out, then another letter, then more time, then removal of plot holder etc etc, I couldn't really understand the lengthy delay, but at the same time the council wanted to give an existing holder time to sort out their plot, maybe due to illness, bereavement, family circumstances etc. I know this may not help and it is very frustrating when you are desperate for a plot and you can see many neglected ones crying out for some TLC.

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May all our seeds germinate and grow

Helen

It is frustrating.
The plot next to me has been unworked for at least 4 years. the tenant has been given a "second chance" over and over (reps are sometimes reluctant to get "nasty")...he said he had a bereavement, then the next year he had back problems. He was given a letter, then a notice to quit ... this all happens at the end of the season (October?) so isn't a quick process at all.

Unfortunately its a vicious circle...plots are hard to get hold of, so people hang onto them even when they can't actively work them. If plots were well-maintained all the time and turnover was quicker, it would help everyone.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

I can totally understand the 'second chance' thing. I know sh*t happens and would never want to barge in on a plot that someone has allowed to decline somewhat due to difficult and/or sad circumstances. The plots I've seen though aren't ones that have simply gone to seed a bit, they're overgrown with brambles, nettles and the like.

I joined the allotment society on the site I want a few weeks ago but so far the only official bod I've found to speak with was terribly deaf. As I'm partially deaf myself we didn't get very far beyond nodding and smiling

As I'm sixth on the waiting list and there are probably 150 plots, it may be better for me in the longer term not to make a big deal out of it. It just seems a shame!

Claire

We had someone at work who finally got pedalled for taking time off, when they realised, that according to records his father had died four times!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

Poor chap...once is bad enough!!

Rightly or wrongly, it seems that on our site if someone has paid there yearly rent for the plot and even after numerous letters they fail to appear, the plot is not re-let until the next years rent is due!

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My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

We wanted to take over a coucil run plot a few hundred years age..(so it seemed.).. and asked the council to pass on our phone number to the owner of the plot we wanted. When they contacted us and we offered to call round to collect the key and a ready written letter for them to sign giving up rights to the plot mid term , they jumped at the chance.
Some people are basically lazy and having paid will just neglect their plot hoping that their original enthusiasm will return.
Sometimes an easy opt-out in the form of a signature shoved under their noses does the trick!(..well it did for us- and that is not in line with our normal characteristics!!!!!)

Go for it ...just be very practical and simplistic!!!!

Now there is a demand for plots alot of sociretys are getting stricter. Our plot holders get a dirty plot letter, a 30 day letter and a good by letter. Then the plot is re-let.

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My phone has more Processing power than the Computers NASA used to fake the Moon Landings

In Edinburgh you just sneeze and your plot is gone...you get a letter saying your plot is neglected and you have got a month to respond and get it in order, if you don't respond then it's gone I suppose. But the letters are sent out in September and the plots re-let in March, so time enough for a lot of weed-growing in between take-overs.

oh, it might also help if you know the previous plot-owner and then you can possibly re-imburse him/her for compostbins, sheds, glasshouses, tools and maybe also the take-over of trees and other investments.
At the start of a plot lots of people seem to spend a lot of money till they realise that they actually get their hands dirty when gardening.

We have awful trouble getting plots shipshape or plotters shipped out. The amount of letters sent, appeals heard, more letters, more appeals ........it just goes on forever and all the time the weeds grow !

Having waited a year for my plot, I was quite vocal about re-letting unkempt plots before they go to the neck high in brambles state, but there appears there's not a lot can be done to speed up the process.

I'd just keep in contact with your allotment officer on a regular basis so as you're not forgotten or overlooked and spend your time planning so when you do get your keys, you're ready !

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Catch up with my daily doings at http://kaypeesplot.blogspot.com/ and http://kaypeeslottie.blogspot.com/

That's pretty much what I've decided to do. I think as long as I'm polite (which of course I would be!) a bit of 'nagging' is the way to go.

Claire

Good luck and remember there's no such thing as "down time" !

I'm as busy now (juggling the lottie and the garden) as I was at the beginning of the season!

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Catch up with my daily doings at http://kaypeesplot.blogspot.com/ and http://kaypeeslottie.blogspot.com/

phone the allotment officer politaly and ask how many places you have moved up the list since the last call and do this every two weeks ! they will either think your keen or give you a plot to stop the phone calls .

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---) CARL (----
ILFRACOMBE
NORTH DEVON

a seed planted today makes a meal tomorrow!

www.freewebs.com/carlseawolf

now in blog form ! UPDATED 01 / 04 / 08

Oh the Lazarus syndrome

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I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields

hello i totally understand how you feel,ive had a tiny plot for 2years and we have 6 on waiting list but i was also down for a full plot so i could move over giving my small plot to a newcomer,,,,,but ive just found out that the oldest member is leaving an his plot is the best and most fertile land there is but instead of me getting it ,it has been given to a couple who dont even want to grow veg they are going to put down a lawn and grow flowers its crazy they are going to cover the best soil on the plot,and no matter what is said there minds cant be changed.

I would look at the allotment site rules Allotments were usually provided for growing food a full plot being enough to provide for a family of four

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I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields

It depends if you are an Allotment Socitey under the allotment act 1950 or a Leasure Gardens. The diffreance is that on an allotment you must grow mainly food. A leasure garden you can just grow flowers or just sit in the sun if you want.

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My phone has more Processing power than the Computers NASA used to fake the Moon Landings

Having read all this I am wondering whether I should be making more of a fuss about my ridiculous two year waiting list!!