An old story, but still a sad one

[Melbourne12]

When we went to the allotments early yesterday evening to see to the chickens, we encountered a young couple saying goodbye to their plot.

They took it on early this year and had it professionally weeded and rotavated, and I can remember it looking very smart.  They (or possibly their contractor) planted a row of tomatoes and a row of courgettes.  And that was it.  As you can imagine, the plot is now a sad mess of weeds.

We'd never actually met them before, so rarely have they visited.  They'd received the dreaded letter from the council, and decided sadly to give the plot up.  They had young children, and just didn't have the time to devote to it.  And they hadn't realised how much work was involved.  The more overgrown the plot became, the more difficult they found it to make a start.

We sympathised, but what can you say?  There's no point in pretending that it doesn't involve some hard and dirty work, because it does.

[Melbourne12]

[grawrc]

I suppose that's why it's so good that people on committees like Sparkly and TrevorD and Squash64 make such an effort to support the newbies till they are up and running. Doesn't always work but it helps some.

[Melbourne12]

I suppose that's why it's so good that people on committees like Sparkly and TrevorD and Squash64 make such an effort to support the newbies till they are up and running. Doesn't always work but it helps some.

I very much agree.  Our site is a very supportive one, both to newcomers and to those who are finding it a struggle to do the heavier work.

I remember when we first got our allotment about 7 years ago, we were given plants and shown how to cultivate them.  It was a big help, which we've reciprocated over the years.  But if someone just abandons their plot, it's a problem.

[betula]

Support plus a three month contract.......

[pumkinlover]

Support plus a three month contract.......

We are having similar problems on our site- and even with half plots the gloss soon seems to wear off.
I am going to bring up at next Committee meeting as the half plot I gave up two years ago has had three tenants since then.
???

[busy_lizzie]

We have a three month trial on't with our site for newbies, because you do see people taking on plots they cant cope with time and time again. It looks so easy and it is still very trendy to have an allotment, but the reality is a lot of hard work and consistant attendance. This usually results in newbies leaving after 3 months because the going is too rough. busy_lizzie

[Squash64]

We have a situation on our site at the moment of a young couple who took on half a plot last October.  At the time, they had a young child, maybe about 18months old.  They seemed quite keen and although the plot was never fully cultivated they did plant a few things.

I noticed that the plot was becoming overgrown and contacted them to see if everything was alright. 

They said they were about to have another baby and would get down as soon as they could.  They were also quite annoyed that I thought the plot was neglected.

I suggested that with a new baby and a toddler they might not find it very easy to look after the plot and told them that if they gave the plot up they could go back on the waiting-list and I would give them another plot when the time was right.

They insisted they could manage.

This was a month ago.  Have they been down?  No!

I wish we could have a three month trial period but when I mentioned it to our Allotments Officer in the past he said it was not allowed.  The eviction process takes ages and while it's going on the plots get even more overgrown.......

[Trevor_D]

 were talking about this problem at the Borough Federation's meeting last week, and when I mentioned that several sites had introduced a probationary period, several eyes lit up! Watch this space!

Thank you for those kind words, Anne. It does take up a lot of time - and, no, it certainly doesn't always work - but I think it's essential. People really don't know what they're taking on and they need help and encouragement; also the ability to look around their plot, realise which bits are a mess and do something about it without feeling "got at".

I spent a couple of hours yesterday with two plot-holders: one I've finally persuaded to give up half her plot and really concentrate on the other half; the other I've been trying to persuade not to give up entirely, but to keep half and tread water for a season while her personal life gets itself together. Hopefully, in both cases, we'll get to keep and support lovely people and get land cultivated. I think those two aims are really what allotment gardening is all about.

[Squash64]

Thank you for those kind words, Anne. It does take up a lot of time - and, no, it certainly doesn't always work - but I think it's essential.

Sorry Anne, I meant to say this too but started rambling on as usual and forgot.  ::)

[Squash64]

were talking about this problem at the Borough Federation's meeting last week, and when I mentioned that several sites had introduced a probationary period, several eyes lit up! Watch this space!

Please let us know if anything develops Trevor.

I spent a couple of hours yesterday with two plot-holders: one I've finally persuaded to give up half her plot and really concentrate on the other half; the other I've been trying to persuade not to give up entirely, but to keep half and tread water for a season while her personal life gets itself together. Hopefully, in both cases, we'll get to keep and support lovely people and get land cultivated. I think those two aims are really what allotment gardening is all about.

That's brilliant and something to be proud of!

[Mr Smith]

When we went to the allotments early yesterday evening to see to the chickens, we encountered a young couple saying goodbye to their plot.

They took it on early this year and had it professionally weeded and rotavated, and I can remember it looking very smart.  They (or possibly their contractor) planted a row of tomatoes and a row of courgettes.  And that was it.  As you can imagine, the plot is now a sad mess of weeds.

We'd never actually met them before, so rarely have they visited.  They'd received the dreaded letter from the council, and decided sadly to give the plot up.  They had young children, and just didn't have the time to devote to it.  And they hadn't realised how much work was involved.  The more overgrown the plot became, the more difficult they found it to make a start.

We sympathised, but what can you say?  There's no point in pretending that it doesn't involve some hard and dirty work, because it does.

Our local Coucil sorry (Street scene) which that like to be called is the opposite, we have a least five allotments which are not worked each year, they don't give a dam as long as the rent is paid, and the fall out is that we now have weed problems on our allotments, another e-mail is winging its way to 'Street Scene'

[Digeroo]

I am not sure that we talk about weeds and weed control enough.  We have a few people who are struggling and the take over by weeds is certainly a major issue.  Packets of seeds and gardening books tell you how to sow the seeds but somehow the bit about weeds is relegated to the back of the book while the seed packets do not mention it at all.

I have pursuaded one nieghbour into regular hoeing and another into pulling 100 weeds each at the beginning and end of every visit.   Its a pity I do not take my own advice. ;D

The best allotments seem to be almost weed free and yet they appear to some to do very little weeding.  

But I do agree about weedy allotments thistles and dandelions are a particular issue.

[betula]

I have noticed that the plot holders by me have just got on with growing doing very little to get the couch grass out of the land

They are all new plots with the same problem,so while I have spent most of my time digging it out and planting very little I am beginning to wonder if I am doing the right thing  ??? ??? ???

[pansy potter]

I have noticed that the plot holders by me have just got on with growing doing very little to get the couch grass out of the land

They are all new plots with the same problem,so while I have spent most of my time digging it out and planting very little I am beginning to wonder if I am doing the right thing  ??? ??? ???

Because Betula, you know that if you don't get it out then it will come back and choke your plants. Perhaps these people are new to gardening and don't realise how resiliant weeds are.

[small]

Well they'll be sorry, Betula, when they lift potatoes with couch roots actually penetrating the tubers....couch grows so strongly that they will have great areas with no soil. I fight a constant battle with couch spreading from rough grassed areas next to my plot, but it's got to be done - dig, dig and dig again!

[betula]

I know you ae right,I am a slow digger and it has done me in digging it all out and dumping it in the skip provided for waste,at the other end of the allotment LOL. ;D

[Digeroo]

I think that you will be pleased in the end you ut in the effort digging it out. 

[Duke Ellington]

Keep going Betula it will be worth it in the end. I know some plot holders on our site rotivated before planting and trebled their couch grass problem into the bargain.

[aj]

The first thing I teach ALL mu students is that if you don't weed you aren't a proper gardener. And we do weeding first each lesson to instill it into their routine. And I teach them about Fat Hen and how if you let it set seed you will be weeding those new plants for years.

It's all very well these people that just say 'spray it' but that's no answer. So people join up thinking they can just spray everything and it will all be perfect. Sadly, that's not the way it works in the real life.

I would like one plot to be given over to the next 3 people on the list; split it into 3 and see how they cope whilst under their 'feeder plot'. If they can't manage that then they stay there until they give up or work out how to manage it.

[betula]

Thanks for the encouragement ;D It is on its second dig over now amazing what gets left behind.

This allotment site is band new and I am determined to do it by the book as I want  a really great plot this time.On my old allotments always had to adapt to the junk and layout of previous tenants but not this time LOL.

Had a closer look at neighbour's plot yesterday and he does have some great veg but couch peeping out all over.