What's the correct etiquette to use here?

[bearded bloke]

I quite like low fences on allotments. They provide a bit of a windbreak (important here in East Anglia), and can also support fruit like raspberries.

Also help keep the soil moist in the shade,so a good place to put rhubarb

[Shadylane]

Hmmm fences need maintenance, I'd leave them to it. If you take ownership of half of it you'll have to take ownership of it's upkeep. Some of our plots (on site no1) have fences to keep rabbits out, but there's no half plots. We took on ours as a half plot originally and some rope separated the two, then we got offered the 2nd half. Suppose it depends on if it's a permanent thing.

On our second site, the plots are huge so often get split in two. We have technically a half plot, but it's the same size as our full one on site 1. Neither we or our lovely neighbours mentioned a fence when we took them on(at the same time), we just used rope and then eventually a path.

In short I don't think fences are necessary, but if they want one then that's on them, so leave them to it.

[binley100]

Not as much maintenance as our hawthorn hedges ...but I like the fact that all our plots have a hedge round . I've also planted fruiting stuff into my hedge and flowery stuff at the bottom of it. We have set heights for hedges and tbh they don't shade unless of course you didn't bother cutting it ........

[taff]

it's not your fence, so don't pay for it

They may have had problemns in the past with which areas were theirs, so they're stopping any potential problems. Or it's to keep their kids penned in and not annoying other people....
Gives you a nice structure to grow up against if you need it

[ancee]

I wouldn't take offence (geddit? Surprised no-one else beat me to it!) I'd let them do it, offer to paint your side though!

[snohare]

Yes, don't forget that it is their fence, if you want to train something up it then you'll need to ask permission...and they may want access to your plot in order to paint/replace at some point.
In my experience, good fences make good neighbours - not least because they help to define where weeds belong to/come from...

[The Cobra]

it's not your fence, so don't pay for it

They may have had problemns in the past with which areas were theirs, so they're stopping any potential problems. Or it's to keep their kids penned in and not annoying other people....
Gives you a nice structure to grow up against if you need it

Great reply!!!! Will also keep my kids in my side lol

[The Cobra]

Yes, don't forget that it is their fence, if you want to train something up it then you'll need to ask permission...and they may want access to your plot in order to paint/replace at some point.
In my experience, good fences make good neighbours - not least because they help to define where weeds belong to/come from...

And to be fair, a fence was gonna be the first thing I put on the allotment. Not to be unsociable in the least, more to define boundaries etc. I'm quite particular when it comes to stuff like that, I like people to know what is my space and what is theirs.

[The Cobra]

So I think the general consensous amongst us are saying don't pay/don't take over the other half of the fence. This was my idea too, so happy to go along with that. And every post on here has been great so thanks for posting!

[snohare]

And don't forget, if they start to let it fall into disrepair, you can always mention the snake seen on your allotment...(It's amazing how little time and effort it can take to put up a lap panel fence !)

[Alison]

Personally I don't like fencing on allotments, I like to be able to nose around as much as I want and I'm happy for others to examine my own work. It's all part of the fun. There are no fences on our allotments except for the security fencing on the boundary.

You see I think totally the opposite, I'd hate my plot not to have a basic fence around it to demark the boundaries. I have no problem with people looking at what I'm doing (most fences on our site are only about 3.5' high and of open construction - ours is just post and chicken wire - so no shading etc) but I don't want them wandering across it at will, that's just far too nosey for my liking.

[salome2001]

no fences *allowed* on our site! though my neighbour has a shadecloth "windbreak". my plot boundary is demarcated by the borders of my raised beds, apart from the end next to the road (we have no perimeter fencing) which has some 2ft high lap panels on the boundary to stop the bloke who has his garage opposite reversing his car into my plot...

[The Cobra]

This is the fence so far - looks good to me!

[Bill HH]

I hope you are on the sunny side of it.

[lottie dolly]

on our site it is own choice,most of us prefere 1,it helps keep the bagger out,as well as wondering feet,ours are only done ranch style from large pallets,PLUS the one to put up a fence is the first one that starts it,unless you agree to do it together,a fence also allows tall plants to grow without falling over on next door,our water barrels also go down each side,any nettles/weeds you want to grow for wild life are kept with you,it feels much more like the space you are renting,at the end of the day,it's each to their own,