Week 1: Choosing a Plot

We'd been talking about getting an allotment for years.

The thing is, that's all we'd been doing - talking. Well almost all... Alan, being organised had put his name down for an allotment that had a two year waiting list. That was about two years ago. Dean and I had spoken about putting our name on the same list for about two years.

I should probably introduce myself; I'm Tom, Dean is my Husband, and Alan is my Dad.

When we tell people we have an allotment they tend to laugh. Lots.

I've called this post 'Choosing a Plot' but to be honest there wasn't much choosing involved. Six of us turned up and eight plots were going. Each of us drew a number out of a hat (well a plastic bucket) and that was the number of our plot.

Ourselves, and a lovely lady called Eve were taken off to be shown our plots. On our way we were told our plots were 'a real opportunity'. My heart sank. I don't know much about allotments, but I do know a bit about English euphemism and I know 'opportunities' are code for 'large amounts of thankless work'. In the end though my fears weren't entirely realised - the plot has very recently been occupied, and although a little overgrown it is almost ready to go.

One oddity about the plot is that ours and Eve's plots used to be owned by one person and at the top they have created an arched, hedged off secret country garden area which spreads across both plots. We were faced with the options of sharing the top or months of work taking out a very established hedge, plum trees and concrete shed foundations. Thankfully we all (including Eve) fell in love with the quirky top 'garden' so it will stay.

Everyone has told us to take it slow and so we resisted the urge to jump straight in. Instead today was spent planning, measuring, and discussing. Mum said "I hope you don't all come to blows over this allotment" I assured her we wont, as long as we all obey Dean to the letter... Dean knows what he's doing, haven previously taken over an allotment by force aged 14. His neighbours were a little unhappy - mainly because his carrots were better than theirs.

And so. Now we're planned, plotted and ready to dig...

Tom

'Mr. Middleton says: "Nature wont be rushed. Not human nature, nor the good earth."'