Half plots versus full plots

**Snadger** · 23-03-2012, 08:12 AM

We have no half plots on our site but theoretically it sounds like a good idea.(If not a nightmare to organise) We seem to have a high turnover of plot holders who hog plots for a single season or sometime two, and never really do much with them.
Surely, after a year, you could go on the waiting list again for possibly another half plot or a full plot?

The other option is to put your name on the waiting list for all of the allotment sites in the area and possibly be prepared to travel to get a sizeable plot?

If I only had a half plot I wouldn't bother with a shed or greenhouse, minimise my path area and capitalise on the extra growing area? I would still find a place for a compost bin though.

Good luck with your quest singleseeder!

**ladylottie** · 23-03-2012, 08:27 AM

I am on a private site. I started with a half plot with the use of a large glass shed (I use it to store tools in and as a greenhouse) which is at one end of the (full plot) and a tiny old shed next to the three compost bins at the top of my half plot. (My toilet shed!). These sheds and bins are on space in addition to the growing area. I was lucky here - not all plots have sheds and bins in addition to the growing areas.

It was obvious to me very quickly that a half plot wasn't enough so asked for another half plot to grow fruit on. The man who has a full plot next to me hasn't been able to keep it all in order, so I took over half of it last October. (Lucky again as it was next to my original plot!). I must have proved my worth as the only female lottie keeper on my site

What seems to happen here is that if a person starts with a half plot and then needs a full plot, as soon as anyone leaves or wants to downsize, the full plot is offered to them before the next person on the waiting list.

I think offering a half plot to a "newbie" is a good idea. I suppose it makes sense - they will have "proved" that they can manage a half plot and are fully committed before moving on to a full plot.

Also it gives more people a chance to get started.

**Alison** · 23-03-2012, 08:43 AM

When I was offered my plot I was told I could take half of it if I wanted instead of the full plot but I only considered this for about a minute as I knew I'd regret the smaller size as I wouldn't have had enough space to do what I wanted. I understand the idea that giving more people a smaller piece of land could be better than a few people a full sized plot but I do think it takes something away from self sufficiency if your plot is too small. Added to that if the half plot is seen as a half way house to a full plot if you prove yourself you'd be very lucky to get the other half of the plot you're already managing so you either end up with two remote half plots (not ideal) or a totally new full sized plot to start again after putting in so much work on the original half plot. I'd have found the latter devastating if I'd lost the work I'd done to bring my plot back in the first year from the wilderness that it was and if I'd known it was only temporary then I'd have struggled to motivate myself to the extent that I did for the long term. Not sure I'm expressing myself very well but I hope you understand.

**SarzWix** · 23-03-2012, 09:07 AM

Absolutely Alison. I think it would be better to have new plot-holders on a probationary period, where their plot is inspected more regularly for the first few months, and if they aren't seen to be making an effort, then they get moved along. In fact, scratch that, ALL plot-holders should be inspected more regularly and moved along if they aren't using the plot to its full potential. That would be more instrumental in getting down waiting lists than chopping plots into two, or even four! The whole point of an allotment is to supply a family with veg., and the land needed to do that was calculated a very long time ago!

**Alison** · 23-03-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by SarzWix View Post

The whole point of an allotment is to supply a family with veg., and the land needed to do that was calculated a very long time ago!

Mind you considering the lack of veggies eaten by some people I know a single 12" pot might be enough for them

**VirginVegGrower** · 23-03-2012, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by singleseeder View Post

Is size important?

More allotments are splitting plots into two so that people get off the waiting list more quickly. All well and good, but how does this change the use of plots?

I've had a half plot for just over a year now (on the waiting list for 2yrs) and it just isn't big enough. Put a shed, compost bins, paths, permenant fruit etc in and there isn't much space left. When more plots become vacant they appear to be split into two for newbies.

I'm on the list for a full plot now, but not sure how long it will take to get one - am going to chase up about it soon.

Just wondered if this is happening at your lotties. How is it managed? What do you all think?

We were down for a full plot but with two of us on a list they split it. Now all they are giving out is half plots because so many want them. I think it has more to do with the fact they can charge more for two halves than for a full.
It isn't big enough either. It's 10 x 10m which isn't even a traditional half. But we have one so can't complain, can we?

**salome2001** · 23-03-2012, 09:34 AM

absolutely agree with Alison. I took on my full size plot only last August. I initially intended to take on a half plot, on the day I signed I took on the whole plot "just in case" (no one else on the waiting list anyway, the plot had been unused for some years). I am so glad- I can't fit all the veg and fruit I want to grow on it now and I have my eye on another under-used plot as a possible site for bees.
Having said that, some people might not want to go nuts on veg growing but want a little space to dabble and that's fine- two of the plots near mine are half plots and both people are happy with what they've got and find it managable.

**salome2001** · 23-03-2012, 09:36 AM

... and Sarzwix. Newbies should be monitored but not treated like second class citizens. Most of the appallingly unkempt plots on our site are old boys who've had the plot for years, the worst offender is the Association Vice Chair. The newer plot holders (all female, by the way) are the busiest on the site

**Thelma Sanders** · 23-03-2012, 09:41 AM

You can only get half plots here now, all the big plots are devided as they become vacant. I'm glad to have even this much

It is annoying when you see some plots that are hardly used (especially when it's the other half of mine and all the weed seeds blow over

)

**donnakebab** · 23-03-2012, 09:57 AM

When I first took my half plot on it was in such a state that I wondered if I'd be able to cope with it. A couple of years later I'm wondering if it's big enough. However, one daughter has now left home and remaining daughter stays at her boyfriends place some nights so there are barely 3 adults to cater for though could supply my mother occasionally. In contrast the plot next door to me, the other half plot that with mine once made a full plot, has seen two tenants in the same period neither of which have done much with it and is as over grown now as it ever was.

As Alison said, I don't think I could bare to give up my half plot after all the hard work I've put in, but if the one next door comes up, as has been hinted to me then I would be very tempted. The only fly in the ointment is that I'm awaiting a knee operation, just keyhole in and out the same day, and there are a couple of small tree stumps that need dealing with but I'm sure I could get help with that because everyone on the site wants to see it put to good use.

It's a lovely site bordered by a railway embankment to the east (the one end of my plot), a conservation area to the south that also runs west to an old mill pond and park, and a stables to the north. Not overlooked at all. I love it there.

**VirginVegGrower** · 23-03-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by salome2001 View Post

... and Sarzwix. Newbies should be monitored but not treated like second class citizens. Most of the appallingly unkempt plots on our site are old boys who've had the plot for years, the worst offender is the Association Vice Chair. The newer plot holders (all female, by the way) are the busiest on the site

Same on ours pretty much. Our Parish Councillor's plot is a bit scrappy but he is a nice chap, just a bit like Mr VVG - messy and disorganised.

**Piggle** · 23-03-2012, 11:59 AM

They've started splitting ours in quarters now ! I got the last full sized one as it's part shaded so no-one else wanted it.
The turnover on our site is ridiculous - I just don't think some people appreciate how much hard work it is , they just think you turn up a couple of times and things just magically grow.

The last lady who was next to me didn't like worms and everytime she dug one up made her husband come and move it ... I ask you!

**VirginVegGrower** · 23-03-2012, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by Piggle;

The last lady who was next to me didn't like worms and everytime she dug one up made her husband come and move it ... I ask you!

Ha ha ha - hilarious!

**Bren In Pots** · 23-03-2012, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Piggle View Post

The last lady who was next to me didn't like worms and everytime she dug one up made her husband come and move it ... I ask you!

I shouldn't be reading the vine while drinking tea

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