Neglected Plots

It's difficult to judge at this time of year how much of a plot of being grown on but overgrown and neglected is overgrown and neglected at any time of year.

On my allotment site I find there are a number of unoccupied sites some of which haven't been worked for a few years and it's incredibly obvious and easy to spot which these are. The plots that are occupied are really well looked after and look neat and tidy and grown on.

We don't have an allotment committee on our site but Sheffield council have allotment officers who seem quite keen to see the plots being used and aren't afraid to issue someone with a warning and eviction if needed.

I think the problem is you don't know another plot holders circumstances. I have three plot holder around me that have had some serious medical conditions flair up this year so haven't been able to get down to their plots as much as they'd of liked. So their plots are looking pretty over grown at the moment.
The plot I have now was left unworked for nearly 18 months. The site couldn't let anyone else take it on until they had made contact with the previous plot holder and to get him to shift his stuff. In the end the secretary said enough was enough and let me have it. He also rang the number he was given to get in touch with the guy and also rang the council to tell them to write to him. I had to clear all his stuff off the plot before I could start.
The problem is with unworked sites is that when a new person comes to have a look then a big majority cant see past the weeds and rubbish. They think it will be like Gardeners World or the BBC Allotment Challenge Programme. Instant fruit and veg but no work needed.
The Committee problem is usually the same people being voted on cause no one else wants to do it. Its a job with people moaning at you what ever you do.
If you want things to change try and find out when your sites AGM is and go to it. See what is happening and make suggestions.

Hi Donksey

It is like noviceveggrower says. There is not a lot that you can do about it at present so why worry. I know that on many sites carpets are a no no but unless you are moving to that plot there is little that you can do about it. A few years ago plots on our site were left in a terrible state but with a bit of work (well quite a lot really) the council administrator got most of the plots occupied. Some are still not worked but new blood has brought in a bit of "competition" to get their plots looking good and producing loads of veges.

It is also just possible that like you new tenants are taking over some of the plots. Maybe they can't dig and will be doing the work in the spring.

However, I have found that life is easier when I talk to the people that have good plots. They may still have weeds but they possibly grow the best veg and usually have a depth of information that keeps me on my toes. Besides hoeing clay soil is not always easy. just remember that Victorian gardeners allowed weeds to grow so that they could be dug in in the spring (green manures if you like).

Besides you will find that gradually those that can't or wont will soon disappear and new people will arrive. Then you will be tested as some will come to you for advice. Good luck when that happens.

Whatever happens enjoy your gardening.

Bill

I think 18 months is way to long to let it get out of control, if a site is unattended in the summer for more than three months then I think the circumstances of the plot holder should be looked at.
It only takes a summer for a plot no get out of control and difficult for someone else to get back into shape.

I remember when I used to go to this site as a child 38 years ago, it was far better kept, not all the 'it might be useful later' rubbish piled up. Maybe the people growing then had learnt during the war, maybe they just had a bit more grit and backbone and just got on with it.
A lot just go down there to chat, I think they are more armchair gardeners and the actual practice of doing it is a bit beyond them.

Our plots are never going to look pretty due to my husband who IS one of those gardeners who learned how to garden during the war when everything was in short supply and as a consequence hoards (It will come in one day.) and I have an aversion to straight lines.

However I think our plots are probably the most productive on our site which is what I consider to be the most important thing.

Before I joined the committee I, like you, was sometimes frustrated by the seemingly slow eviction process. However our secretary does have a handle on what's going on. If I ask her about someone's plot looking neglected there is usually a valid reason, usually illness and bereavement. This year one plot holder is definitely going as he's never made a go of it and refuses to respond to emails etc. This softly softly approach means that out of 60 plus plots there are probably only 2 looking neglected. Most people know when it's time to give up and if that takes 6 months longer than being evicted then so be it.
If neighbouring plots are blowing weed seeds over yours then report it. Better still volunteer to join the committee and see what you can do to help.

I would not consider a plot by what it looks like but what it grows. Unfortunately I have a plot between two neglected plots; one that has clearly not been touched for 12 months and one not been touched since spring when the newly sown seeds were overrun by weeds.

The plots look lovely and tidy with row upon row of companion planting, namely couch grass, horsetail, bindweed and raspberry plants.

It is plots such as these which require eviction but I get the impression this is not as easy as it used to be. They both have nice new sheds and clearly invested money but sadly no time into the plot. TV programmes seem to make it look so easy and sadly folk are learning the hard way. In the meantime I seem to have harder work on my boundaries than on my plot!

I think once I have been there for a year I will try and get on the committee.
Maybe a volunteer day once a month could be suggested, for a team to work on a plot neglected by someone due to illness or bereavement.

At the end of the day if someone has paid up their 12 month dues then there's nothing really you can do. You can't kick them off if you don't know the reason they aren't tending the plot. Maybe supporting and helping the plot holder might be the best option. Their plot might be their only out let in life.
You can't knock those who do a bit and then sit down. Its meant to be a social thing, as my OH says its meant to be a hobby not a pain in the ar*e.
If you are having such problems then chase the committee members down. See if they can cut it down or spray it. My Aunty had a neglected plots all around her. She had no joy with her committee so she went to her Parish Council and they kicked butt.

You really never do know- on one of the local sites (a former housemate had a plot on it, and I used to go there quite a bit) there was what looked like an appallingly neglected plot, all grass and weeds with barely a fruit or vegetable in sight.

The tenant was actually a lad with fairly severe learning disabilities, who was down there almost every day, digging holes and pottering about doing something that made sense to him if not anyone else.

OK, so maybe he didn't exactly use it for the conventional purpose, but this isn't the blitz any more, none of us are actually likely to starve without our plots, and I reckon he got as much out of it as any of the 'proper' allotmenteers.

Its like all the old guys down my plot. Several of them are widowers and they have no family living near by. So they potter about a bit, have a sit down and a chatter then potter a bit more. Sometimes the other plot holders might be the only people that that person speaks to all day.
I think we are just looking at what we can get out of a plot food wise and haven't look at the therapeutic, social, companionship and health aspects others get out of their plot.

I agree with all of you. We all have the plots for different reasons and one persons best plant is someone else's weed. Bindweed is very pretty and if kept contained could be quite attractive but for me it is a curse. People's circumstances do change and I would be one of the first to offer to help someone needing a helping hand.

There are however a small number of occupiers who have clearly not used the plot at all. I can appreciate why, the first year or two on a plot is extremely hard work and can be disheartening if you are short for time. It is impossible to be encouraging or even lend a hand when they have never returned to the plot; they need to give up the plot to someone else who may have the time. Sadly their neglect of the plot makes it even more difficult for the next occupier increasing the risk of another disheartened gardener. Luckily we do not have too many of these folk but sadly I am in between two of them.

We don't have a commitee on our (council owned) site.

We have a very disillusioned (often grumpy) lottie sec and that is all.

But it isn't hard to make things better.
We have a husband and husband couple who joined this year. They set up a facebook group and put a sign on the gate inviting everyone to join. Only half a dozen or so did initially but that was enough to get the ball rolling. Almost immediately we were all posting when manure deliveries or woodchips turned up, offering excess seedlings, shared tools and enlisted each other to help shed construction etc.

Another couple used the facebook page to organize a plot BBQ. We worried that lots of folk on our site might feel a little left out because they didn't have fb accounts...so me and another lady produce a laminated newsletter each month which we put on the gate for all to see. We include a seasonal recipe for what we see gluts of on site. After only three months, folk are seeking us out with tips and stories to contibute.

Now we're organizing our own little seedy Sunday event in February and a veg/flower show next September. Some of the chaps have completed odd jobs...fixing the plot loo door, adjusting the gate hinges, putting a little cupboard on the loo wall in which other plot holders have placed decent soft toilet rolls, cleaning stuff and hand soap.

When someone is struggling and its mentioned in the letter or fb page...people naturally step up to help. The paths and communal areas are kept in better shape because little groups of people feel able to tackle them together.

And of course, if we figure out who our resident thief is, I'll be using social media to organise the lynch mob...

I think that grumbling about neglected plots is not constructive.
Don't leave it to a commitee (if you even have one).
Instead, do something positive and invite others to jump on board if they want.
You might be surprised at how many do!

The Council here are running a monthly working party with allotment reps and a few interested plot holders.
The reasons for lack of cultivation are being discussed and the possibilities so far seem to be...

Notifying the tenant and asking what the problem actually is.
if illness, help to be arranged if possible - smaller plots if time is the issue....that kind of thing

If there is no reply from tenant, or no resolution possible - then eviction possibly within a month.
Any previous lack of cultivation will be taken into consideration, so no repeat offenders will be given the benefit of the doubt.
No refund of rent necessary as the tenant's terms and conditions have been broken.

It's a start so hopefully things will improve.............