Euphorbia allotment on GW

[Alison]

Just watched last night's GW on record and wondered what other people thought about the guy who just grew euphorbia on his plot - admittedly loads of different varieties and it did look rather attractive. My initial thought was that it was rather strange but I'm not sure if that's because I find obsessions with one thing a bit scary (there are a lot of different plants you can grow) or because I feel that lotties should be primarily to provide for your family etc. Like many people on here I have some ornamental flowers and was dead heading some daffs which I planted by my wildlife pond earlier today. I also know lots of people with cutting beds but they still grow lots of things they can eat as well. I wondered in the days with long waiting lists what other plot holders would think. His plot was a beautiful example of what can be done with an area of land but I could imagine it would take quite a bit of flack if it wasn't so well done. Then again, maybe I'm being unfair, just seemed a bit odd. Had a quick look on the GW forum and didn't find any comments along a similar line but did find quite a lot about how good the series was so am guessing it's out of tune with what I want anyway.

[alldigging]

1922 definition of an allotment garden “an area not exceeding 40 pole used wholly or mainly for the cultivation of vegetable or fruit crops for consumption by the occupier or his family”.

ref: http://www.nsalg.org.uk/uploads/arti...0to%20sell.pdf

So in the case of this - it probably isn't what an allotment was meant for.

And in the other cases mentioned in other threads about people having more than 1 plot - 4 plots is 40 poles? So at the limit - but when you're growing things only to give away (the pumpkins mentioned) then I would say that's not fair use and that plot should be allocated to someone else.

[Hilary B]

Growing nothing edible does seem contrary to the spirit of allotmenting, and using several plots to grow vast quantities that you can't use a fraction of. If there are long waiting lists, I would call that selfish.....

[Alison]

Glad that at least some of you understand what I meant, was wondering if I was being unreasonable.

[binley100]

Our plots are expected to be 75% cultivation which can include cut flowers . Wild flower meadow is not included and I wouldn't really include euphorbias (even if it is the national collection) ....not really the sort of flower I'd stick in a vase or eat ......nope I don't think you are being unreasonable .

[SarrissUK]

I like flowers cut and put in a vase.. but I have very little interest in growing stuff that isn't edible. Even in my own garden. I only planted a tree on the front to give a bit of privacy.
Having said that, I wouldn't mind if the plot next door was covered in just flowers, but then we don't have a waiting list on my allotment.

[Pa Snips]

A few weeks ago I was talking to a customer whom I knew had a plot on an allotment site. I asked if everything was coming up nicely with the recent warm weather and he replied "Eh?...no, I don't grow on it...it's where I keep my racing pigeons."

[donnakebab]

A few weeks ago I was talking to a customer whom I knew had a plot on an allotment site. I asked if everything was coming up nicely with the recent warm weather and he replied "Eh?...no, I don't grow on it...it's where I keep my racing pigeons."

I know on some allotments you are allowed to keep chickens...but racing pigeons...not quite in the spirit of things. My allotment comes under National Allotment and Leisure Gardens Limited but I'm sure 'Leisure' does not mean just growing one type of plant.

I think a lot of the rules need to be enforced more strictly on allotment sites in order for it to be fair and fit for purpose.

[alldigging]

A few weeks ago I was talking to a customer whom I knew had a plot on an allotment site. I asked if everything was coming up nicely with the recent warm weather and he replied "Eh?...no, I don't grow on it...it's where I keep my racing pigeons."

That's why our council has been trying to bring in rules about shed sizes. Some plots are just shed apparently.

There was a fire recently at an allotment where someone's pigeon shed burnt down. Whilst I felt sad that an allotment was being vandalised I did wonder why someone was keeping pigeons on one.

[Currysniffa]

On our lottie chickens,racing pigeons & rabbits are aloud to be kept but 56% of your plot must be cultivated for vegetables. its not unheard of for people to be told to leave because they've not grown vegetables for a couple of years. There' a guy two plots over from me who has a full plot but only uses a small area to grow flowers and big row of runner beans for competition. For me allotments are for growing veg but I don't mind the chickens,racing pigeons etc a long as there well looked after.

[lottie dolly]

On our lottie chickens,racing pigeons & rabbits are aloud to be kept but 56% of your plot must be cultivated for vegetables. its not unheard of for people to be told to leave because they've not grown vegetables for a couple of years. There' a guy two plots over from me who has a full plot but only uses a small area to grow flowers and big row of runner beans for competition. For me allotments are for growing veg but I don't mind the chickens,racing pigeons etc a long as there well looked after.

and they dont take a fancy to YOUR veggis

[binley100]

We've asked someone to remove their pigeons . Pigeons can bring in disease which could spread round the chickens .

[Snadger]

We are alowed chickens but no cockerels,ducks or pigeons. I know of three sites near by, one is fruit and veg only, one is chooks only and the other is pigeons only.

Each to their own I suppose.

On our plots no more than 25% of each plot can be devoted to chooks, which seems to work well.

[donnakebab]

I don't know if ducks are allowed on our site but we get them anyway because there is an old mill pond close by and sometimes they make a nest on the site.

[Aberdeenplotter]

So in the case of this - it probably isn't what an allotment was meant for.

I'm not as hardened in attitude as that. So long as someone is actually gardening and keeping the plot tidy, I don't make a fuss. It's the people who allow their plots to become a problem for others that upset me.