afraid I will fail, need encouragement on a plot

[Berti]

Now that I have got the bible on its way, and I am actively reading and posting again, I see pictures of veggies and plots and stuff.
Close to here, half hour walk I guess, are plots that you can hire.
I have been at the point of go there and have a chat.

Now the problem for me is, having a plot (esp digging stuff etc) is hard and heavy work, and since I am alone, I am afraid that I will fail at keep going and my body won't cooperate at the heavy stuff. (having a physical problem that aggravates by this kind of things and takes me LONG to get back on my feet again)
How do you all keep yourself motivated, and how hard is it actually to start on a plot.

I do have the ideas in my mind, and have done some square foot gardening (raised beds thing) and I'd like to do that again on the plot.
Maybe it will do me good to grow some own stuff but am I just scared of jumping in?
Dunno...

cheers
berti

[Mr and Mrs luvpie]

Hey Berti, can't offer a great deal of advice as only fairly new to this myself all i do know is that I think I'd rather be doing it alone than with all the 'help' I get, our plot is about half a mile away, by the time we get there the eldest boys are normally argueing as boys do the baby is fed up and wanting to be carried or allowed to crawl and Mr Luvpie has an amazing ability to be able to garden without getting a speck of dirt on him I have no idea how that happens.

I look at my aging mother who has a larger plot than me and is by herself and although she finds it tough she is able to go to the plot every day and just spend half and hour there or as long as she can manage, it's taken her two years to get it how she wanted it but she has done it in her own time and now i reap the rewards - she grows too much I can grow enough!

I suppose all that matters is that you enjoy it, I love getting to my plot, i'm intending to go today during baby nap time and just spending some me time weeding with no mobile and no one knowing where i am, it's my idea of heaven!!!

Good luck

Sarahx

[Helsbells]

My advice would be to just start with a small section of the plot and then just cover the rest with black plastic or carpet or whatver. If you leave it all to go then its a much more daunting task, then when you are ready you can uncover some more ground which is a lovely feeling.
I think you will be fine. I work my plot alone, and have a full time job so dont get there much but I still manage to grow quite a bit of veg.

Good luck, and go for it,
Helen
x

[mrsflibble]

the depression is what's causing the feelings of self deprication my dear. the only way to get past that is to try. if you never try, you will never know that you can suceed. try not to think of it in terms of "I can't try; I WILL fail" but it terms of "if I try, I may win".
positive thinking REALLY helps, but i know it's hard.

[Teasal]

I would just start in a small way, growing things which are relatively easy to begin with. You can always do more later on. Its meant to be a pleasureable things to do, so no use in tiring yourself out too much.

Perhaps you could speak to the people at the plots and see if someone is willing to share a plot with you - not everyone wants the whole plot? Then you would have help with the work, and also someone to keep you company and encourage you along.

I am sure before long you will be seeing all your own veggies growing, and thats a really nice feeling to think its all your own work.

Over here, the council do make you leave the plot if you are unable to keep it tidy, or let it get overgrown, as there is now such a waiting list for allotments, they can soon fill your vacant space, so just watch out that is not the case with you.

[red]

can you get half a plot to start with? or share with someone?

as everyone else said.. start small - give yourself achievable targets.. then expand.

[theabsinthefairy]

hey Berti - welcome back!

Please think seriously about taking the plot, I think it will do you good. Going out and doing something physical is just such a great way to throw off the shackles of depression and something so rewarding is even better.

BUT ....

start small - work in an achievable realistic size. If you get the plot, cover parts of it with cardboard, weed suppressant material or carpet, and just attack an area that you feel confident of handling, and grow things through plastic in the other areas, like pumpkins and courgettes, strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, that are not that bothered about perfectly cleared ground, but that have a fantastic quick crop that will boost your confidence and give you a great deal of pleasure out of success, and then square foot garden in the cleared areas.

You can do it.


Monika

[Jandra]

Hey Berti,

This is my third season on a plot and I must say it took me a while to get on top of it. Not that I'm really on top of it, as such, but at least the plot is no longer on top of me :-)

As I have physical problems too, I can relate to your hesitation.

In my experience there are several things to check out:
- How much time will you be able to spend on your plot each week?
- What size plot can you get?
- Will there be a shed or a place on-site where you can safely put your tools?
- Will the allotment society allow you to cover part of your plot in plastic?
- What type of soil will you get? (heavy sea clay or river clay, sandy, peaty...). Easy or hard to work?
- In what condidtion will the plot be given to you - clean and rotovated or covered in bindweed, zevenblad, thistles and dandelions?
- How much can you afford/are you willing to spend.
- Do you have a car at your disposal (now and then)?

I took on a plot of 200 m2, with a shed. I was amazed at the amount of money going into the plot, purchasing tools, compost, bean stakes, insect netting. All things which I thought weren't exactly extravagant... Now that I have all basic equipment it's much better. And, in truth, you CAN garden with very few tools and investments, but that requires much more energy, muscle and patience.

Anyway, 200 m2 is quite a lot for a lady alone I disovered; epecially for one who is not entirely healthy. At least 1/3 of my plot was left to it's own devices that first year. In the second year my husband started to take more of an interest, especially in the infrastructure (paths, poly tunnel). I'm really lucky to have his help.
Knowing what I now know I wouldn't take on more than 100 m2 if I had to do it all by myself. And certainly not if the plot was poorly maintained.

It's very rewarding to grow your own veg. Time flies when you're gardening. I love it. I think it is good for your health as long as you don't overdo it. Keep your expectations realistic, start small in managable pieces. Don't panic. You'll do fine.

Hope this helps.

Jandra

[Berti]

whew. I'm at a loss for words with all those replies :)
You definitely gave me some ideas.
Today I have emailed the person who is about the plots near here and hope he will be in touch with me for an appointment.
But it might well be I will go out for a walk, and go to the plots and see if someone is there willing to talk to me.
Maybe that is a better start, so I can see the place and hear what the rules are and if there is an waiting list, if so, how long.

I thank you all....... I will definitely give it a serious thought and see what happens.
I like challenges :)

cheers
Berti

[happy place]

you go for it
remember nothing ventured nothing gained
as for my plot i'm lucky its the end of my garden but still can't get there as often as i would like( 2 year old twins put payed to best plans)but love to get therewhen i can pick some stuff which has grown rue the loss of other things which have been left too long and been eaten by birds/ gone to seed but still think i grew that. never stops amazing me that you throw seed at dirt wait a while and stuff grows aint nature amazing.
if you need encouragement/advice find relivant topic post plea and usually get swamped by answers
the worst which can happen is you will have a wildlife haven

[becks77]

Hey Berti,
Its very hard when you first start and doubts do set in, but start small, come back here for advice and reassurance and you will be amazed how many friends you make down there on the plots next to yours who are happy to offer advice, seedlings, words of wisdom and even the odd cuppa tea.
You have to go for it the advantages far outway any sort of downsides, have a go, and enjoy
Good luck and best wishes
B