Honest answer!

[jordsbabe]

If i was to take on half a plot how many hours on average would I have to put in. I would really love a plot but i'm worried about the amount of time it would take up. I would want to grow potatoes beans lettuce onions garlic that sort of thing.

[jordsbabe]

[allaboutliverpool]

Half a plot is about 60% of the time of a full plot.

5 hours a week at peak times at least.

I have mentioned this on

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments1_homepage.html

Obviously more time is needed on a new unkempt plot to get it cleared

-

[posie]

I'm sure this is going to start a raging debate - but here's my verdict.

First off, it depends what state it's in when you get it.  If it's full of weeds etc then obviously the first few months are going to cost you a lot more time.  I have a full size plot and when I first started it was in a right state.  I was doing about 2 hours a day sometimes more just to bring under enough control to get started.  I would say you could easily do half an hour to an hour a day on average, probably more on weekends, particularly in the first year.

Having said all that, you'll soon find that you get addicted and spend your entire life up there anyway, to the extent that your kids (if you have any) threaten to move into the shed because that's the only time they see you! lol

Someone else asked a similar question a few months back but I can't find the topic at the mo - just make sure you do what you're comfortable with - don't go digging for hours on end just because you think your plot should look like the one 3 plots down, chances are it's taken them years to get it looking that neat and tidy!  Do what you physically can and most of all enjoy it!  ;D

[Uncle Joshua]

Not my idea of running an allotment but the bloke next to me spends a day strimming, a day covering it in manure, a day rotivating then a day planting out and thats the last we see of him for the year.

[posie]

Hmmm, can't see how that would work?! Bet the weeds have a field day! Pardon the pun!

[mc55]

I think you need to ask yourself how much free time do you have to devote to the lottie.  I work full time and its a struggle to balance home and the lottie when I've done a full weeks work.  I have a full size plot which was horrendously overgrown when I took it on and I still have around a third still to clear.  At times I'm overwhelmed by the weeds and growth (usually May / June due to the warmth & rain).  I didn't spend any time there this winter and it shows.

But I love it and the satisfaction I get from it is immense.

[thegreatgardener]

which gardening planning system will you using and how much total production of each crop will you need during the season. with out this info it will hard give you an answer.

[jordsbabe]

To be honest i haven't really thought that far ahead, it just that all you peeps have really inspired me. At the moment i'm just growing in pots, my husband has just said to me 'between work, govenors, preschool committee, cooking (another hobby) and if I got an allotment when would i fit in breathing?'
I really need to consider this seriously, just wish I could fit a little plot into my garden, perhaps I will take a picture of my garden and maybe you folks may be able to suggest a design????

[Robert_Brenchley]

A lot depends on how fussy they are at your site, and what you want. Our plots are mostly too big for anyone who can't be there full-time, and we acfept that people do what they can. If you want an immaculate plot, it takes a lot of time. If you just want to bang some spuds in in spring, then harvest them later, you can get away with a lot less.

[grawrc]

At this time of year i would say I'm spending about 15 hours a week on my plot.

[amphibian]

Depends what you want to grow. I manage my plot on a lot less time than most. But I am just getting on top of things at the moment and this winter I will dedicate serious hours.

An orchard plot, for example can be tendered very little and still produce a good crop. Potatoes and pumpkins aren't very demanding and can take up half of a half plot easily.

Perennials are a great way to go if you haven't got a lot of time.

For me though, you still need to be able to offer at least three hours on average per week.

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you're worried about the hard slog of digging, look at no-dig (really minimal-dig) methods.

[kt.]

People work at different speeds. What takes one person 2 hours might take somebody else 30 minutes.  Things get easier as you progress and learn more, enabling you to do the same work in less time. (within reason).

Allotments are for fun, relaxation, enjoyment and are rewarding.  Do what you can when you can to keep any plot you take on cultivated.  If an allotment becomes more of a chore than a hobby,  then you would need to ask yourself if it is right for you.  Most people love it once they get stuck in.  Like marmite I guess..... you either love it or you hate it. 

[Duke Ellington]

We took on our allotment in March. It was full of weeds and rubbish. It had no shed. We worked on it nearly every weekend sometimes spending 10 or 8 hours on a Saturday and Sunday. I would say we probably put in on average 19 hours a week. During this time we have raised a shed,built raised beds,laid a path, replaced a fence, make a small patio area and managed to plant some vegetables. We made a decision to work each weekend to reconstruct our allotment. It has been very hard work there no denying it ~but enjoyable. We now have two beds left to build, a shed to stain. In the meantime I am trying to keep on top of the weeds and maintain things the best I can. I decided to use raised beds purely because i felt it would be easier to maintain and would be less work in the future. (i know this is a matter of opinion but mentally I can cope with weeding a defined area!!) The other theory is one of little or no digging!! I am hoping that when this allotment is completed and up and running that it should only take maybe three or four hours spread over a week this might be hopeful but as yet I really dont know! The other thing is you need to take into account your lifestyle etc. children work etc....For me methodical working was the key ~~if on somedays you cant put the hours in put in what you can do ~ so long as you do something on a regular basis! Oh and cover the areas you are not working on to suppress the weeds. Again mentally not seeing the weeds worked wonders for me! I still have a way to go but onwards and upwards

Good luck
Duke

[grawrc]

I have 19 beds on my plot ranging from about 1 metre by 3 metres to 4 metres by 2. I have a small greenhouse, currently bursting with tomato and chilli plants and 2 sheds. I probably take 20-30 minutes to weed/tend /plant up/harvest each bed. So all the beds plus weeding paths and tending the plants in the greenhouse about 11 hours a week. It's currently taking me longer because I had 2 weeks of marking exam papers and then 10 days of visitors so the weeds have had a field day. I also had a tonne of mushroom compost delivered and I'm having to barrow that on to the plot. Additionally the side of one of the sheds was rotten and it took most of one afternoon to cut out the rotten side and replace it. Still have to paint it!!

In the winter on the other hand I do very little apart from flicking through catalogues and the occasional visit to check things over and pick up something to eat!

The point is I really enjoy it and find it so relaxing. When I don't have the time I don't go in the knowledge that when I do have the time to go my work will be that little bit harder.

[antipodes]

A lot depends on how fussy they are at your site, and what you want. Our plots are mostly too big for anyone who can't be there full-time, and we acfept that people do what they can. If you want an immaculate plot, it takes a lot of time. If you just want to bang some spuds in in spring, then harvest them later, you can get away with a lot less.

I quite agree with robert here. There are people on my sites that are there almost all day every day. Obviously their plots are immaculate, not a blade of grass in site. I have 100 m2 and I cannot do that (work full time, 2 kids, association work, music classes) so I try to spend a good couple of hours on the weekend and occasional trips in theweek to harvest or sow a little. Plus I generally take a day or two off in spring and really get stuck into it all, clearing, covering and planting the main summer crop. It will not be immaculate, you will have weeds etc but of course you will still grow veg, perhaps of slightly less quality. Potatoes, beans, courgettes, roots require little maintenance apart from some weeding. And I feel that winter is still an important time - i use it to weed some spots well, to manure and cover them, work on paths etc. Covering patches is excellent, it greatly reduces your workload come spring time.
At worst you can always try a year and pack it in if it doesn't work. Just don't plant anything permanent the first year till you get an idea.

[organicandy]

put in what ever time you are comfy with but dont try to keep a spotless clean allotment on 2 hours a week , truth is you cant do it,
          secret is to not let the garden become a chore or you will soon loose interest ;) ;)

[beanie3]

I hope you do find time because it is great especially this time of year - yummy.

Okay i havent got an allotment but quite a generous veg patch in the garden - i grow beans (French, broad and runners) ,pots,onions,garlic, corn, butternut squash, lettuces, peas, carrotts, toms,radishs and cucumber.......

I find time.....i dont have any children but i have a lazy husband, work full time and training for the london marathon (That sees me out training 4 days a week) - okay there are more weeds then last year as i dont have much time but the produce is near enough the same.....

Just remember to enjoy it.   :)

[mark45]

i got my first half plot allotment about 6 weeks ago. it was over grown with grass and weeds, i spent one day strimming it down, one rotivating. and another day digging in the sh.t lol, and now i spend 1 to 2 hours a day on there all depends on what need doing.

[KathrynH]

I have a demanding full time job and work long hours during the week and my allottment is one of the only places I really get to switch off. It is hard work but relaxing at the same time and although I usually only get there at weekends I find that is enough to keep the weeds under control and give me a healthy supply of fruit and vegetables, with something to show (eat!) for my efforts most of the year. OK, I'm never going to win "plot of the year", but the satisfaction I do get from what I grow as well as the good friends I have made and real sense of community spirit means that I would recommend it to anyone who can spare even a little time. Just don't try to much too soon, plant what you can where you can without worrying about being too scientific about it (because it really doesn't matter!) and I'm sure you won't regret it.