Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi everyone! I'm new to the board so thought I'd say hello.

I've got my name down on several waiting lists for allotments just south of Preston and am trying to make the time pass quicker by reading up on allotment gardening. Unfortunately it's just making me more frustrated about the whole process!

I'm number 10 on one waiting list, and 18, 30 and 52 on others! I've been for a look round all of them and on 2 of the sites there are several untended plots which don't look like they've seen a spade in years. It seems so unfair.

Still, I'll keep positive and start sowing seeds on the kitchen windowsill in the hope I'll have somewhere to put them all.

Welcome to the Vine, ES! Hope your lucky with an allotment soon - sounds like you'll be container gardening for a little while yet tho'!

Hope you enjoy it here - lots of fun amongst the good advice, so don't be shy to post!

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Hazel
www.hazelandjanesallotment.blogspot.com
update Tues 02/12/2008......End of year report!.....

Hi Eternal Sunshine & welcome to the vine, hope you don't have too long to wait, why not try pestering the council/committee about the untended plots, maybe they'll shorten the list a bit then!

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

Hi there

Yes the site looks great, have read quite a few threads before signing up & everyone seems really friendly. I'm looking forward to all the growing advice when I need it.

I was a bit worried I might be seen by the committee as a trouble maker if I start moaning about how they're running things.....

Hi ES,

When I was looking for an allotment I went to a few of the allotment sites and noticed a few where not tended to. I sent a polite email to the guy in charge about the plots and he said they are always looking at plots not being used. About 2 weeks later I got my plot - the ket is to be polite.

All plots have a problem with tennants who dont do anything, I have a few on mine but the council are getting strict and sending out letters quicker now.

I wish you the best of luck, also can you plant any veg in your garden/pots. I did last years before I decided to get a plot and I learnt alot from the veg I grew in my back garden.

Loz

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http://warmanallotment.blogspot.com/

Yes that's good advice - I could go round the allotments then politely ask the person running each one what's happening with the plots in question.... As SueA says earlier, it may at least shorten the lists a little.

Incidently, on 2 of the sites there were NO untended plots. They all showed signs of activity even in early March. I think that must say something about how on the ball those particular organisers there are.

I'm Sorry For The Position Your In All Of Us Have Most Likly Been There Before An It Does Not Seem Fair.
When I Applied For My Allotment I Was No 27 And It Took 17 Months To Get To Number 15 So It's A Long Proccess , After That I Rang Them Once A Month Every Month And They Finally Gave In But The Plot You Get Will Be Something Other People Refused.
Be Careful Who You Upset As When You Get A Plot You Will Not Be Very Popular, If Council Run Give Them Hell , Allotment Societies Should Be Given A Softer Aproach.
Good Luck On Your Hunt

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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

Hi Carlseawolf

I've just had a look at the photos of your plot on your website and it looked quite daunting when you took it over! Much better now though

I don't really mind what state it's in to tell you the truth as long as I get one - I'm up for a challenge and the satisfaction must be much greater when it's all your own work, and you can see how much you've achieved.

I work one day a week as a gardener (on top of my other part time job) so I'm used to digging & working in all weathers. Also, I'm volunteering my fella to do some of the digging so I'm confident we could tame (almost) anything.

Hi Eternal Sunshine,

I live in South Ribble area and wondered how long I'd have to wait if I really wanted an allotment - you've answered my question. At this stage in my life I really couldn't do an allotment justice anyway, if I manage to keep up with the little amount I'm going to grow in my garden this year I'll be happy. Maybe by the time I can give my full attention to one they'll not be quite so fashionable!

Hope you get one soon

Waiting lists, don't talk to me about waiting lists!!!!!! I'm on several round the Warrington area, the one I really want, I'm 30-something so don't hold out much hope with the council (they're not the most helpful bunch sometimes!!!!) but I've found there are also a few parish council run sites which seem to have shorter waiting lists, one of them is in single figures, the woman I spoke to hoped to have something by this time next year so have my fingers (and toes) well crossed. Personally I find it hard to get the balance right between ringing to find out what's going on and keeping things moving and really p&&&ing people off! Not sure I've got it right yet.

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

Don't worry about the number in front of you on the waiting list. I have found from experience that when the time comes for the list to be opened many of those on the list have either lost interest or found a plot on another site and not informed the secretary that they should be taken off the list.

Good luck with the wait and keep visiting sites, you will be seen as keen and also will learn from what others are doing before you get your plot.

PS DexterDogLancashire might be able to help as a new plot holder in the Preston area.

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Digger-07

"If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right" Henry Ford.

Cheers - yes I've noticed Dexter dog so hoping he can give me some useful info. Fingers crossed.

Hi ES, and a warm welcome to the madhouse known by us as t'vine! Hope you find it as much fun and as useful as the rest of us! Be warned tho, it is rather addictive!

DDL does have a plot in Preston, she's lovely, and was on a long waiting list for a while before getting a plot a lot quicker than she thought, so dont give up hope, you never know, you could still be growing by the end of the season!

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Blessings
Suzanne (aka Mrs Dobby)

'Garden naked - get some colour in your cheeks'!

The Dobby's Pumpkin Patch - a blogspot work in progress!
Last updated 26th November2008 - more new piccies!

Aw shucks!
hi and welcome to the vine ES and TF! yep, it's a brill place to get all the advice you need to grow your own veg. Everyone is so friendly! Don't be afraid to ask any question you may have, there are lots of grapes who have lots of experience and who will have an answer! Looking forward to hearing how you get on with your search for a lottie and growing your own. Could you not do like I did last year and convert part of your current garden into a veg patch? Bernie aka Dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Hi ES

Welcome to the Vine. Speaking as one of the useless old farts that runs an allottment site it depends or the rules they have. It could be that those plots had actually been let but not tended so you have to go thru the hoops to get shot of folks. Alternativly there may be something wrong with them ( unexploded bombs from WWII ) or maybe if it's acouncil run site it has to go through them and you know what councils are like.

I wouldn't have thought they would think of you as a trouble causer just Keen. So go down and have a friendly word.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Still not got any further with finding an allotment but we have the offer of a greenhouse from my sister (if we can get a trailer or something to go & pick it up from Wales)

ES - take lots of photos before you take the greenhouse down - very useful when putting it back together. I managed to get one from a lady in Cleveleys, took a couple of trips in the car but managed it quite easily! Says she, when OH did all the dismantling, moving and putting back up again! LOL. Bernie aka Dexterdog

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things

Hi Tattiefritter

If you think you may want an allotment in the next few years you'd be better putting your name down now as it may take that long to get one. You can always turn it down if you're offered one & it's not the right time. Also, have you thought of asking for a half plot? All the sites I've enquired with have half plots so you may be able to manage that...

If you're interested PM me & I'll let you have all the contact details and locations for the plots in South Ribble.

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I've had my weetabix...

That's a really good idea, will def take a camera along. How long are the longest pieces on a greenhouse? I take it from what you said that thy fitted into a car ok? I could maybe get my sister's one in 2 trips (it's a 4 hour round trip tho).

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I've had my weetabix...

Hi ES think my greenhouse is 6' x 8' OH says the longest bits did fit in the vauxhall astra estate, but with the front passenger seat down. Of course, it depends on how big your greenhouse is. Just be very careful with the pieces of glass, and keep all the clips etc in carrier bag - wear gloves and like I said take plenty of photos! Good luck. Bernie aka Dexterdog
PS where in wales? I lived in Cardiff for 3 years as a student.

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Appreciate the little things in life because one day you will realise they are the big things