Allotments 4 All

I took my plot on a year ago and have got it how I want give or take a couple of weedy areas and the lack of a shed. Its a good sized area, complete with soft fruit - but as always could always do with more space.

Today a well respected plot holder with a pristine plot says he is going to be giving up his plot - with 8ft by 6ft hardwood self built shed - and would I like first choice. The plot is smaller than mine and there is a waiting list for the plots. I would have loved to take his plot on - but don't want to give up mine, cos i have worked hard on it to get it from derelict to useful. I will need to buy a shed in the next couple of months though. How do I not hurt his feelings as i know we get on well and he see's me as a "new gardener" and willing to pass on his learnings. Also I will feel really greedy if i tell the landowner - blow the waiting list I'll incorporate his plot into mine.

I feel caught between two horns here with diplomacy never my strong suite.

I'd take his plot on personally as I had a similar situation, one plot wasn't enough after six months.

If you were to take his plot on as well as yours you'd know that it was going to be put to good use, as opposed to someonw who may come down for a couple of weeks then give up when the weeds take a hold. I'm sure it would make the previous owner happy that it was being taken on by someone who's going to use it.

Plus you'd get a ready made shed... my plot came with the previous owners shed still on it and he kindly sold it to me for £2 including the water butt at the back. Best £2 I ever spent.

Cheerio.

Jon

Reading your post I'd say you like the idea of having the new plot complete with shed but want to stick with the plot you have put the hard work into but don't want to offened the chap, I'd say stick with what you have but try to explain your reason in a nice way.

If ever I gave my plots up I'd want them to go to someone I know.

I agree with Johnny, if you can manage both then go for it. Specially if his is smaller than yours, you will regret losing space.

The choice is yours at the end of the day ;)

This is a difficult one.

There are lots of posters on this site on waiting lists and is it right to do this.

Allotments are getting harder to get now.

On the other hand ,I have two plots and if I am truthful,if I was asked to give one up for somebody on the waiting list I would not want to do it.

I guess you have to have a good think about this one Suzanne :)

I would go for it - better to go to someone that will look after it.

I realise there are waiting lists, but in reality there is often a degree of neoptism when it comes to handing out plots anyhow. If you don't ask, someone else on your site might - and you'd probably be gutted if they got it!

Shy bairns get nowt! ;D

If you feel that you can do it justice then  do it.

QuoteI realise there are waiting lists, but in reality there is often a degree of neoptism when it comes to handing out plots anyhow. If you don't ask, someone else on your site might - and you'd probably be gutted if they got it!

I agree  here. If you dont take it, he is probably going to offer it to another friend anyway, rather than let it go to the next person on the list.

cj :)

Thanks for all the advice, I could take over the plot and mine and can manage it. My OH reminds me this with the other lottie I have in my village far outweighs what we can eat - although I don't think he fully appreciates that I would turn one lottie over to perennial veg.

So I will say yes if the landowner agrees with me having both, but no if I have to give up my present lottie on the site in exchange.

So we will see.

my the force be with you    ;D

(good luck)