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Should I stay or should I go?

• Message 1.聽

  Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Thursday, 22nd September 2011

  My annual allotment fees are up for renewal at the end of Sept and I'm seriously considering giving it up. I know none of you can decide for me, but if I lay out the pros and cons would you give me your opinion?
  
  PROs
  - Cheap tasty veg
  - Good exercise and fresh air
  - Mental satisfaction and pride (some of the time)
  - Admiration of friends and family
  - Workmates benefit from gluts
  - OH who does a lot of the heavy work
  
  CONS
  - Both of us work full-time and can only get down there at weekends. I feel I never spend enough time on it, but at the same time it feels like it鈥檚 ALL we do during the growing season
  - When I鈥檓 not there I worry about it
  - When I am there all I seem to do is cut the grass paths (the PC are very hot on this) and weed and don't feel like I'm achieving anything
  - The soil is heavy clay 鈥� concrete in summer and a quagmire in winter, despite several years of 鈥渋mprovement鈥�.
  - We grow too much for our own needs and give a lot of it away - if I see another courgette this year I will scream.
  - As we get older the aches and pains from trying to cram all the work in to too short a time are really beginning to bite
  
  I wouldn鈥檛 want to go halves with someone else 鈥� I would fret about THEM not cutting the grass. So it鈥檚 all or nothing. And I realise if I give it up I鈥檒l never get another one (waiting lists too long).
  
  I have a garden in which we also grow some veg, and we could turn over more of it for this. My OH says he鈥檚 not fussed either way (but I know he doesn鈥檛 find it as much of a chore as I do)
  
  So, what鈥檚 the verdict folks?
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Thursday, 22nd September 2011

  Hi
  I can already feel the allotment fans screaming keep it,keep, it but in my opinion having read what you have written give it up and pass it on to someone else.
  
  It doesn't sound like a lot of fun for you anymore, not enough time and the rest, and if you end up giving stuff away after all the hard work, with the aches and pains thrown ,in ask yourself is it worth it ?
  
  You have still get the garden after all. expand the growing area in that, and you have a soothing bath within reach!
  
  Geoff
  
  

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• Message 3

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  Posted by margaret bettridge (U14833293) on Thursday, 22nd September 2011

  I would say give it up without a doubt, the aches and pains won't get any better and you sound as though you have enough room in the back garden for what you need.why grow to just give away, pack it up and enjoy what you have at home .good luck.:o))

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• Message 4

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  Posted by ivyhouse (U13788805) on Thursday, 22nd September 2011

  I have to agree with the other respondents I'm afraid. Your story more or less echos mine. When I was on the allotment I felt guilty about leaving the family and when I was at home I felt guilty about neglecting the plot. After I gave up it did feel like a weight off my shoulders. I too am lucky enough to have room to grow a few select items at home although as post below, my toms are a complete disaster this year. Hand it over to someone with unlimited time or a large family all willing to chip in at weekends.

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  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Friday, 23rd September 2011

  Wouldn't it be pleasant for the lucky future plot holder to have a plot not covered in weeds? It will be a first I'm sure. . . Yes, give it up. Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by 7magpies (U8108459) on Friday, 23rd September 2011

  A wise friend of mine used to have a saying: "Always leave while you're stil enjoying yourself." He used to apply it to social functions etc, but it can also work for things like hobbies. Quit now and you'll have mixed but mainly happy memories. Go on until you feel quite overwhelmed by it and you'll leave with bad feelings and regrets.
  So I agree with what others have said so far - it's time to give it up. (Or to put it another way, quit while you're winning, or at least before you start losing!).
  You could something as small-scale substitute at home- maybe a really nice herb bed or little salad plot?

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• Message 7

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  Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Friday, 23rd September 2011

  Thanks for all your replies. I have been thinking about it on and off over the last couple of days, almost to the point where I have already mentally let it go, and I do feel as though a weight has been lifted. There's some clearing up and late harvesting to do, but after that I think I'm done with it.
  
  I was also reading the advice on the "newbie" thread about concentrating on stull that's not easily available and that I really like, which I will have more time and energy to do in the garden. We took the lawn up years ago and planned it as a potager, so I'm keen to get that idea going again
  
  It will definitely be more than a small scale substitute of herbs and salad. I'm not letting all my experience go to waste!

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• Message 8

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  Posted by pjgolf (U2469936) on Friday, 23rd September 2011

  "It will definitely be more than a small scale substitute of herbs and salad. I'm not letting all my experience go to waste!"
  
  Good luck with it. And keep on visiting the boards !
  
  PJ

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Saturday, 24th September 2011

  The one thing that would put me off is the heavy clay, unless you have got some trees planted. Let somebody else work a finer tilth.

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  Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Saturday, 24th September 2011

  I have a rule that once something that should be a pleasure becomes a chore give it up. Once you decide to give it up dont look back with regret. It will have gone because your list of donts was longer than those to keep it. As you say you have other commitments and a garden to grow what you need Making clay soil an excuse is not a good one as its the best soil once properly cultivated. My aches and pains start once i stop over winter so I do not accept that either.

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• Message 11

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  Posted by ageing_hippie (U6742113) on Saturday, 24th September 2011

  There's much more satisfaction in being on top of a small patch than struggling to control a big one. It isn't worth the stress. Let it go. Free up your time to do things that bring you pleasure.

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  Posted by ladynovicegardener (U5368058) on Saturday, 24th September 2011

  I agree, let it go. When it gets to the stage where it's more trouble than it's worth then it's the only thing to do. Let someone else have their day and you'll enjoy your own garden even more now you've got time and some plans for it. Best of luck.

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• Message 13

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  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Saturday, 24th September 2011

  With all due respect to allotment holders , you'll find growing stuff on a smaller scale in your own garden really quite enjoyable. No more tracking down to the plot or gluts on produce.
  
  All my veg is grown in the back garden and with your experience you can plan to harvest stuff and plant out more as you pick. I grew stuff in modules this year ready to replace things as they were harvested and as everything can be seen from the kitchen window you know whats ready and what isn't. You can also keep more of a control over pest attacks because if you pick your veg every day for tea as I do you'll find you check out what you plan to eat the following day.
  
  I've had fresh soft fruit everyday nearly, picked straight from the garden from about May -starting with strawberries forced in the GH, then rubarb - forced again, red, white and black currants, gooseberries, followed by more strawberries and rubarb, blueberries and finally my bosanberries have come into season this month.
  
  

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• Message 14

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  Posted by horththit (U13862695) on Sunday, 25th September 2011

  Why don't you share it with someone younger? That way you won't have all the work on your shoulders and it will save you saying 'damn, i wish I hadn't let it go' somewhere down the line. You may even forge a brand new friendship this way.

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• Message 15

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  Posted by Summerchild (U14187397) on Sunday, 25th September 2011

  Hi Calendula,
  
  You have said that you do not want to share and that you have almost 'let go' psychologically already, so move into another exciting phase of your gardening life without regret. Someone will be very happy to have the plot. I have heard it said that the reason so few allotments come up is because people hang on to them, so you are bucking the trend. You will be helping yourself and someone else also; and with a store of experience and happy memories I am sure.
  
  All the best,
  Summer

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• Message 16

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  Posted by Calendula (U2331338) on Monday, 26th September 2011

  I'm sitting here sniffing hard after reading your weekend postings to my quandary - thanks all so much for the good vibes. Friends I spoke to about it over the weekend said much the same. Yesterday I went to the plot, cleared what I wanted to take, left some fruit bushes and broccoli for the new incumbent and shed a few tears
  
  I have written the necessary letter to the Parish Council and will drop it off on my way home tonight. I'm surprised at how emotional it has all been, but I know I have done the right thing and am already planning next season in the garden

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• Message 17

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  Posted by horththit (U13862695) on Tuesday, 27th September 2011

  Hi Cal
  Did you do the deed?

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