I have been growing jerusalem artichokes in an old bathtub positioned at the end of my plot.
This afternoon I went to the plot to water plants and discovered that my bathtub was used by my next plot holder to dry weeds (!) and contents of the tub (plants and compost) were dumped up side down in my plot. It seems the neighbour tipped the bathtub over, emptied it and took it to his plot. All the plants are snapped from the base and left with no foliage :'(.
I know the guy but rarely see him so rang up the allotment secretary office but the secretary was not in today.
The problem is he used to own our plot before. He used to have three full plots but couldn't keep up with the work and gave up one of them (the plot that is now ours). His remaining two plots are covered with weeds (why does he bother keeping two plots? ::)) He seems to think that things in our plot are still his and helps himself to timbers etc. in our plot... >:( Now I'm worried he may start to help himself to our crops.
Anyway, will the artichokes grow and give me any crop this coming autumn? I pushed the top bits into the soil thinking they might root... :(
An elbow to the throat is not well known but is extremely effective when dealing with some pests.
Not sure about getting a crop now but you know you have friends who will send you tubers if the worst happens
I would think there would be a good chance, the ones I am growing are practically indestructable - even the smallest bit will grow. I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
I hope your neighbour soon gives up his plots and stops causing trouble for you.
Helen
>:(
I would lodge an official complaint with allotment sec. I would point out, within the complaint, that this is theft.
Then I would probably apply myself to hurling weedkiller about on his plot, but not on his weeds! But I couldn't possibly suggest that anyone else could be as vindictive as me :-[
;)
the rule on our site is anyone cought stealing gets chucked out report the b****** >:(
Very annoying. The adjacent plot neighbour with shanty town leaves large lumps of metal on my plot - I just have a quick word with him or the site rep, and it's getting less frequent. What on earth was he thinking of? Hope you make contact with the site sec soon :-\
Quote from: katynewbie on July 28, 2006, 17:29:29
Then I would probably apply myself to hurling weedkiller about on his plot
Tsk Katy (http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e220/supersprout/smilies/eusa_snooty.gif)
A
true lay-dee would apply a
light powdering of wild flower mix ;)
Not just theft of course, there is the issue of the damaged crops ...
:o
((tora))
What a nasty piece of work this bloke sounds...
Does he give other plotholders hassle or just you?
Theft plus vandalism -- that's instant 'hand back your key' stuff on our site.
I am so sorry this has happened - it's bad enough losing stuff to rabbits but other humans...!
There may be a convoluted explanation for his behaviour, he may even be having memory problems - and if so that's very sad. But you do have to report this - his problems are for someone else to sort out. And it may be that friends and family would be grateful to know what has happened.
If you got the roots in the ground quickly enough you may save them - I do hope so.
I'd say they'll certainly survive, but I wouldn't promise a crop this year. Do complain; it was inexcusibly horrible behaviour.
If anyone did this on our site they would be imediately evicted
Thanks everyone :)
I feel less angry now but still feel very sad about what has happened.
Will definitely report this to the secretary on Monday when she is back and try to point out it is a theft and our crop is damaged. Hope she can do something about it.
I don't really know if he has caused any nuisance. I feel, personally, that he shouldn't keep two full plots and leave them to grow weeds. He rarely comes to the site. He digs a little bit and leaves the plots for ages without planting anything.
Many thanks for everyone for your kind replies :-*
I am going to tend the artichokes and see what happens. :)
You seem to have a very real case to have this Bod evicted. On our site, any plot left untended for more than 1 season is automatically put up for grabs, let alone the case for vandalism and theft!!. He sounds like the sort of person who has no right sharing space or even air with decent hard working Lottie holders...in fact the very same nice folk who frequent this site... ::)...
Thanks, dingerbell :)
I do hope he will be evicted. I don't feel safe knowing he has a key to the allotment.
He is weird... When we first met him, he stood close to us and stared at us for good 10 minutes or so (we were weeding), during which time he didn't speak once. My OH asked him a couple of times if he was alright but he didn't respond at all and kept staring at us in a not-so-friendly way. ???
:o
Eeeek! Major creep! Serious words required with lottie secretary!
Hope it works out
;)
Thanks, Katy! :) ;D
Loss of the bathtub is theft, loss of the crop is malicious damage.
I feel an ASBO coming on!
At the very least a formal letter of complaint to the authorities that manage the allotment should be lodged and do word it carefully. Make sure you end on a note enquiring about what steps they intend to take next against this individual.
Strange though that someone who goes to the effort to maintain their own veg plot would wilfully destroy someone elses efforts in this way.
Thanks for your advice, bellebouche! Very much appreciated. I had no idea what to do before I posted this topic. :)
The guy doesn't maintain his two plots well at all. He owns two adjoining plots and only the top ends about 3m long (the plots are about 40m long) are free of weeds. I can't understand why he doesn't keep just one plot and cultivate it thoroughly... ???
Just wanted to post an update, sorry to push this old topic up!
Basically the allotment secretary rang the guy up and told him he cannot do that. Then apparently he said 'It's my bathtub. I want the bathtub and some carpets back'. ::)
The secretary said no, you can't do that. It's not his, he should have removed them before the plot was taken etc.
She said to us that all she can do now is just to write him to say he cannot have the bathtub and carpets (and anything else for that matter). We said we are surprised that this matter is not taken very seriously but she just said she doesn't want to make the matter complicated.
The guy isn't punished at all and can keep his two (very neglected) plots! Yippeee! ... Not!!! >:(
At least you have had a formal acknowledgement of his wrongdoing, re taking the bathtub. Assuming the tub is being returned to you, then you are in a stronger position if there are any further wrongdoings. That is better than nothing.