eek! Offered new allotment in Barnsley - not sure whether to accept!!!

[~kirsty~]

Kirsty have a look at the horticultural channel on youtube then click Seans allotments, its a new series with hints and tips about on taking on a plot.

The Horticultural Channel | Gardening news and advice for the amateur gardener

Thank you very very much.

[Dusty Rhodes]

Old tree roots can be a real PITA to work around/remove.

[hamamelis]

Just a point- plan for what *you* can do, it's easy to overestimate how much family and friends will be happy to put into it. Unless you're really sharing the plot with someone else keen, generally after the first flush of novelty has worn off, people get less and less keen to come and help (unless you want help picking strawberries or something, which is always rather easy to find ).

I don't want to be discouraging, there's just been a few people at my site who tailed off and quit once their friends stopped coming along, because they'd taken on a bit more than they could really handle solo. You have mentioned hoping friends and family will help a few times; it's nice if they do, but don't plan around it too much is all.

Do you know how long the waiting list for the other site is? If it'll be a few years, it might be worth taking this one on as a practice, especially if you've not done so much growing your own before- you can always switch if a better plot comes up!

[~kirsty~]

Just a point- plan for what *you* can do, it's easy to overestimate how much family and friends will be happy to put into it. Unless you're really sharing the plot with someone else keen, generally after the first flush of novelty has worn off, people get less and less keen to come and help (unless you want help picking strawberries or something, which is always rather easy to find ).

I don't want to be discouraging, there's just been a few people at my site who tailed off and quit once their friends stopped coming along, because they'd taken on a bit more than they could really handle solo. You have mentioned hoping friends and family will help a few times; it's nice if they do, but don't plan around it too much is all.

Do you know how long the waiting list for the other site is? If it'll be a few years, it might be worth taking this one on as a practice, especially if you've not done so much growing your own before- you can always switch if a better plot comes up!

I know - my thoughts are to do as much as I can do - the help clearing the land will be great however, see if I can go on the list for the other site, and then see. This can be a practice, or if it turns out to be an ok site I could always just keep it. Somebody I know has a family member with a plot on this site, and has already offered help from their gardener with initial clearing, and making beds. My plan is to cover the plot making a few beds, but leave them covered and only work on a couple of beds to start with, building it up as I can. I'm planning on using a little and often approach with time management, so i don't get to that doing lots and then tailing off to never come back. Problem is I don't know if i don't try and if it doesn't work I can always hand the plot back.

[alldigging]

I'm planning on using a little and often approach with time management.

This is the key I think! Having the enthusiasm and time to nip on for half an hour!

[muddyfeet]

It needs to be easily reached for you, if you haven't managed to get there yet, will you manage to get there often to maintain it? Especially when the novelty has worn off a bit and the weather isn't good.

[vikkib]

It needs to be easily reached for you, if you haven't managed to get there yet, will you manage to get there often to maintain it? Especially when the novelty has worn off a bit and the weather isn't good.

I think the problem has been a locked gate which hopefully would be solved by having a key!

[muddyfeet]

I think the problem has been a locked gate which hopefully would be solved by having a key!

Sorry, I always forget to page to the end on this forum, I hadn't read all the replies.

[vikkib]

Sorry, I always forget to page to the end on this forum, I hadn't read all the replies.

I usually do exactly the same! ; )

[~kirsty~]

yes - only problem a locked gate. 3 visits so far, 2 8am trips and 1 4:30pm trip and locked gate (very close to sunset/sunrise times I know!) If its locked now I'll pop along saturday morning.

[vikkib]

yes - only problem a locked gate. 3 visits so far, 2 8am trips and 1 4:30pm trip and locked gate (very close to sunset/sunrise times I know!) If its locked now I'll pop along saturday morning.

Good plan! Finger's crossed you'll get a chance to have a look at the actual plot!

A new plot can be very daunting and you really won't know how much work is required and how much time you have until you have a go!

Your plan of covering up until you're ready to use a bed is a great idea, it really helps keep it manageable and looks a lot less scary when the ground you've just cleared inevitably starts sprouting more weeds!

If you can bribe friends and family with a BBQ on the plot (a.k.a lottie clearing session or two!) all the better!

I'd make sure you know the consequences of your decision, once you know that and you've seen the plot you can make an informed decision!

Check with the Council what happens if you don't take the plot - do you go to the end of the list again? Does it effect the list your on for the other site.

Check with the Council what happens if you accept - can you stay on list for the other site?

Check with the Council what happens if you accept and then you change your mind and want to give the plot up - again, does it effect you being on the list for the other site and can you go back on either list again?

If you take it on and love it then that's awesome

If you take it on and find you're not ready then going to the end of the list won't be such a bad thing as you might be ready when you next get offered a site!

[Two_Sheds]

yes - only problem a locked gate.

It will be locked ... but that doesn't mean there's nobody there. Have you tried hollering ?

[Bigmallly]

It will be locked ... but that doesn't mean there's nobody there. Have you tried hollering ?

Yep, we have to lock our gate every time we enter plus unless they are really 'ard they may be at home keeping warm...........

[~kirsty~]

it was unlocked on Sunday afternoon, but it didn't seem right just wandering onto site (as it didn't say we could on my offer letter), there was someone there tonight too (gate unlocked), but the sunset came quick because of the snow so we didn't venture upto the plot as we wouldn't have seen anything. I should get to see it at the weekend at the very least.

I know someone's granddad has a plot on site, and often he is there at the crack of dawn but its just been too cold this week so he has been popping up later. He suggested anytime Saturday or sunday to catch the main plot holders.

Shame the snow is going to cover the plot so I won't see a lot of whats on the ground, but I guess i'll get a feel for the gradient of the plot if nothing else.

[~kirsty~]

now seen plot. snow covered. never ever cultivated. obvious brambles but couldn't see much else beause of snow. its goingto be hard ti clear but i do want to try. One plotter thought I was coming to see a vacantplot next to their triple plot and suggested I asked to see if I could have that one.