Timing.

[*stuffed*]

Well I haven't been on here for quite some time but given the letter I received yesterday I suspect I shall be around a bit more form now on.

Having been on the list for about 3 years I have finally been offered an allotment It's sod's law however that now is not a great time!
Firstly we have been offered a plot in the furthest site from us in the whole parish, it is a new site so when I put myself on the list I wasn't expecting one so far away. It is an easy bus journey, but I now have to figure out if I really want the expense of the bus fares and the relative hassle compared to one I could walk to easily.
The main issue however is that I am expecting a baby April 4th which means actually doing anything much with it this year will be a challenge I am lucky in that my parents have offered to help get it to a stage of cultivation that will satisfy the rules so I won't get chucked off if I can't do much but I just can't get over the fantastic timing of it all
To top it all off myself and DH have also recently started studying with the OU towards degrees so have much less spare time at the moment.....could be interesting

[*stuffed*]

That thread could well have been me lol, before we moved I could have had one much further than this one is, but the bus journey would have been awkward aswell. This one would be one bus from across the road to the bottom of the road where the lotties are so much more managable, it is walkable but I would be looking at about 40 mins so fine if I fancy a walk but not practical everyday for me. I am a bit nervy on a bike but it would be a possibility. I am more undecided on the cost of busses than anything else. I could get a weekly/monthly ticket that would work out reasonable but only really for one person to go at a time. It would mean I couldn't really make a saving on food but I would look at it as more of a hobby and a way of getting those fab homegrown flavours that you just can't get from shop bought produce.
My parents live about ten mins walk from the site so they would be willing to do this year although it would be a case of putting in stuff that doesn't require much work as they already have a plot of their own down the road. They basically said "don't worry about this year, we can sort it".

[Green Aura]

Congrats on the pregnancy

Have you thought about carrying tools etc to the site? It could prove difficult on a bus - especially bringing them back + veg + baby! Or is there somewhere secure to keeps them on site?

If you refuse this - with explanation - do you go back to the bottom of the list? I'm thinking another 3 years sounds like a long time but it might mean you're in a better position to take it up, toddler, degree nearly finished etc.

Or can you specify one nearer and be prepared to wait for that? Is there any sort of exchange system - could you accept this and swap with someone in a similar situation?

so many questions......

[citizentwiglet]

Never underestimate the damage a toddler can do to a veg patch! What's a baby next year (congratulations, by the way!) will be pulling up your crops and eating slugs in a few years time!

We have a raised bed (27 ft x 4ft) in a community garden, and even that is hard work when the kids (4 and 2) are around - they are very inquisitive (naturally), and I honestly spend more time keeping them safe and entertained than doing any actual work. The work required to keep our wee bed productive is hard enough, I really couldn't cope with a whole allotment unless I had some kind of childcare, it really is a LOT of work. You could put bubs in a travelcot set-up, but is that really fair on baby, or you? You'd probably spend the time panicking they were getting too much sun / too wet / too tired / too bored anyway, if you see what I mean. When babs is very young, using a Mai-Tei style sling on your front would avoid you needing a buggy, and leave your hands free for certain tasks; as babs gets older you could pop him/her on your back in the MT and do even more - this is something I did a lot of; but I wouldn't recommend digging hard with a sprog on your back unless you like the feeling of being trampled by a herd of elephants....

Could you set up an arrangement whereby your parents could share the chores? So, either working at the site, or having baba for you to give you a chance to go up? Kind of share the responsibility, and the rewards, amongst you so you don't have as much pressure?

It would be a shame to pass up such an opportunity, but I can see it could be a logistical nightmare. But, if you want it enough, it COULD be workable, but sacrifices would need to be made. Good luck, and congrats again!

[AngeB]

Hey *stuffed*, I've nothing useful to add but I can sympathise, I'm currently on ~4 yrs wait for an allotment and while it would be an ideal thing to have now, we're planning to start a family and looking to move and I just know that when one does become available it will be at exactly the wrong time. I guess it comes down to how much you want it. You can make anything work if it means enough to you. At least with degrees there's a finite time and you could probably get away with keeping your allotment just within the rules until you're ready to spend time on it? I don't know anything about it though, but good luck...so much excitement for you

[*stuffed*]

I'm trying to contact them to ask if I would actually go to the bottom of the list or not.
The allotment site is possibly a bit exposed for keeping tools on IMO but my parents' one is better and close enough to keep some things that I would be particularly bothered about losing.
I think I would need to have a serious think about what I would grow, going for stuff that requires little tending for a while, thinking fruit for a start.
I am thinking I will probably give it a go unless they can put me on a shortish wait for a site that is closer, still not 100% though.
Some good points raised here that I will consider.
One good thing is that there is a park in sight that would be great for my other child.

[*stuffed*]

Well, just managed to get through to them and yes I would go right to the bottom of the list which would be 2-3 years more wait but that is the list for the whole parish, if I wanted to pick and choose the site it is likely to be longer Not really much point in refusing then being offered the same place in 3 years time.
Oh if only I could afford a car!.....The bus is definitely cheaper but so much less convenient.

[Green Aura]

I think I would need to have a serious think about what I would grow, going for stuff that requires little tending for a while, thinking fruit for a start.

One more thing to consider then - check the rules of the allotments. For some reason some of them ban planting trees or soft fruit, or flowers. I can sort of understand the flowers, because the idea behind allotments is growing food, but fruit?

Having said that everyone ignored it at my old allotment even though it was in the rules!

[*stuffed*]

There are rules about how close to the edges different fruits can be planted, but they are definitely allowed, luckily. My Dad has offered some raspberries as he needs to thin his out and I have a couple of blackcurrants that can go in so that would be a start.
Haven't done the bus journey yet so will try it out this week sometime, will be able to find out if single fares work out any cheaper than weekly/monthly tickets (it might just because of the distance....it's a long walk but only about 5 mins on the bus as it's a nice direct route down the duel carriageway.)
Am going to dig out all my books and try and make a list of easy things to put in that I would definitely use and go from there.
I have a couple of weeks to decide but I think I will give it a go, I do remember going stir crazy stuck at home when DS was little and using any excuse to get out and about so maybe it will be a blessing in disguise and I am thinking too hard lol

[grahamhobbs]

There are vegetables that are easy to grow, potatoes, broad beans and onions, then there are courgettes, pumpkins, runner beans and sweetcorn, although these are probably best started at home.

But whatever you grow, you need to be consistent, both in thinking about your plot, planning what is to be done, going there regularly each week, and making an alternative time if the weather is bad the day you planned to go there. If your plot is well organised and under control it doesn't take a lot of time but until you get to that point, it can take a lot of work and it can easily get out of control. You may grow 'easy' plants but grass and weeds are even easier !!

I'd encourage everyone to have an allotment, but you need a clear head and commitment. If you can leave your kids with someone a couple of afternoons a week say, working on the allotment will work wonders for you, with the kids in tow I think it will just add to the stress.

[*stuffed*]

Have decided to take it, have had a chat with my parents and we are gradually coming up with a plan.

[*stuffed*]

Well, I am lucky enough to have been given one of the 'large' plots on the new site so at least once I get going on it properly it will be more worth while. When they say large they basically mean a half plot mine is one of the biggest there at 5.5 poles....the smallest were between 2-3 poles which I think I may have turned down to be honest (the smallest ones also seem to be quite shady aswell so not great).
The plan is for my parents to get stuff in this year, including raspberries and blackcurrants as between us we already have these then probably put enough squash in for both households which should take up a good amount of space, meeting the council's aims for cultivation. I expect there will be other bits and pieces but really it will be next year before I can really make it my own.
I'm sure I will get over there a bit in the summer with baby but it will be late for putting much in.
Just got to post my cheque and make it official now

[*stuffed*]

Well got the code for the lock so went to have a proper look at my shiny new plot
From the map I got I thought I was fairly close to the water trough and I was quite happy that I didn't have to walk too far back and forth for watering.....turns out the map is not entirely accurate.....the water trough is on the end of my plot It does mean there is a little bit that I can't use at the front but the fence at the back goes back a bit further on mine than on others so I'm not too bothered. I will be able to send kiddies back and forth to the water to keep them occupied and not have to worry about them accidentally trampling on anyone elses plot. My plot is also in a fantastic position, getting full sun all day long. The soil is clay but then all the sites locally are, the clay on this one is not as bad as I have seen, or even as bad as in my garden ......some of the plots at the end of the site are wetter and therefore heavier as there is a bit of a slope, so again I have done quite well. I have a clear view of the playground the other side of the fence so older son will be able to play there no probs. All in all I think I snagged one of the best two or three plots on the site

[Big Al]

congrats on the baby and the plot. I had a plot and it was too much for me to clear in order to keep in the guidlines so I took on a partner who does all the work. To be honest I haven't been on the lottie for 3 years now i think but it's in my name so if the partner gives up it reverts back to me all clean and weedfree...

[*stuffed*]

Have to admit, this wouldn't be possible if it weren't for my fab parents being willing to basically do everything this year