Decisions, decisions.

[Faerie Queene]

Hello everyone.
I have been offered an allotment. Well, a choice of 2, actually.

Plot 1.
A corner plot, with a tall hedge,(very close to the fencing), on the East and North sides.
Planted with raspberries,gooseberries,blackberries,red and blackcurrants and a thorn-free berry of some sort.
About 50% of the berries are in a cage, the rest are open to the elements/birds.
A rather tall cherry tree (approx 20 ft) and a small apple tree.There are the remains of some black netting,high up in the cherry tree,which doesn't look very bird friendly
A Forsythia and a Buddleia on the North end (both very over grown).And plenty of nettles and comfrey.
A dilapidated shed at the front of the plot (this is shielding the sun, but it does look ripe for demolition), a small plastic patio greenhouse and a very small pond.
The water supply is nearby.

Plot 2.
A more open plot, with lower hedging to the North, but not right on top of the fencing.
Already planted with potatoes,onions,runner beans and lettuce.
Quite a lot of the plot is covered in grass, and there are weeds amongst the crops.
The water supply is nearby.

Now, here's my dilemma.
Plot 1 is available now and mine.
But, Plot 2 is on 'loan' from now,until Sept. 2010.
The current leaser has had a nasty cycle accident, and fingers crossed will be able to work his plot when he is well again - approx a years time.
He is asking to be able to have some of his crops (I am quite agreeable to this-it's only fair).
But, do I want to work a plot for over a year and then hand it back? Or do I 'tackle' the formidable Plot 1, and make it mine?
The Council are quite certain that another plot will be available next year. They have re-let 5 this year, primarily by halving plot sizes.(One of our 3 sites has been given over to the Cemetery).

So, what do you reckon?
(We have already met 2 sets of very friendly neighbours on plot 1, and my teenage son is keen for the fruits and pond)

[wyntermoon]

oooh i would defo go for plot 1 but thats because i am a sucker for fruits lol and its always good to have nice neighbours i t would be a shame to lose a year looking after someone elses and then have to start yours next year, maybe you could offer to help with weeding to help ease your consience about plot 2
x x let us know which one you go for x

[Lisa MTT]

I'd jump at taking plot 1, but offer to help out with plot 2.

Perhaps the allotment committee could arrange a rota among the established members to help out with plot 2, so that the original owner doesn't lose out?

Good luck! :-)

[Faerie Queene]

Hello again.
I went with the fruit cage plot.
Ummmm, it's a bit overgrown, but we're getting there.
I'm picking fruit like crazy at the moment.
The birds have scoffed most of the cherries and about half of the red currants though (there was a gap in the netting - tell me about it!).
When all the fruit has finished and the leaves have fallen, I'll be looking to get any pruning and tidying up done, and then sort out the cage.
To be honest, I think the framework and most of the netting needs replacing.
Having looked around other plots, I'm considering making the whole plot one big cage!
Most folk seem to have a cage for this and another cage for that, netting over stuff, so maybe enclosing the lot in one hit might be the way to go - we'll see.

[the deer man]

Originally Posted by Lisa MTT

I'd jump at taking plot 1, but offer to help out with plot 2.

Perhaps the allotment committee could arrange a rota among the established members to help out with plot 2, so that the original owner doesn't lose out?

Good luck! :-)

i agree

though do be careful of the cherry tree as the roots can go for miles just under the surface and take all the water from other plants

[Faerie Queene]

Well, Plot 2 has been allocated to the next in line on the waiting list, and they will 'caretake' it until September next year.
And thanks for the tip with the cherry tree.

Just gonna quote myself here.......
"A Forsythia and a Buddleia on the North end (both very over grown)."
The Forsythia is not what it seems.
While I was giving it a bit of a 'hair-cut', I found a yellow flower, but it's not Forsythia.
The leaves and branches look right, but the flower is deffo wrong.
I shall scour my books for the answer!