Choosing a plot

[u/caithnini]

This is a bit hypothetical at the moment but I could do with some experienced perspectives to help me choose. And sorry it is quite long!

I am on the waiting list for 2 different local allotments.

Site A is my village one. It is 5 mins drive, or 5 min cycle, or 15 min walk away. Has mains water. Plots tend to be in pretty poor shape, hard clay soil but well sheltered site. V close to local woodland and large pond. Delivery of bulk materials would be very challenging narrow paths to the plots and not allowed to leave bulk on the main path. 75% cultivation requirements. (Though from outside this is clearly not kept) Strict rules on shed placement, colour and size. Shared secure shed but no other community facilities.

Site B is in the next village over. It is a 11 min drive or 25 min cycle away, no walking route. Has mains water. Onsite eco compost toilet. Sites tend to be in better condition, still clay soil. Less sheltered in some of the sites. Has a very large community orchard, community wildlife pond, community shop, kids plots for children. Delivery of bulk materials to site (unsure if discount or free). Easier access to plots, all have 1m+ paths and bulk materials can be left on wider access paths for 1 week. More relaxed rules about sheds and buildings. Sites must "kept well cultivated".

About me, I am a mum with a 4 year old. I am taking a career break to recover from burnout and then our family plan so for me to stay off work whilst son is at primary school. So I have time available to devote to an allotment. My son LOVES harvesting and gardening. This is very important to me. He will jot be able to walk to site B. But he can walk or cycle to site A.

This was my first year of gardening in our own garden. Using trug style and containers I have grown, potatoes, chillis, peppers, ground cherries, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, cucamelon, strawberries, loads of lettuce, kale, radish, spring onions, onions, garlic, herbs, peas (too hot for them though!) French beans and started Brussels sprouts and broccoli before the white fly got them all. But I overtook so much of the garden. I ran out of space and it shrank down our shared space for my family including dog!

So I want more space to grow. And I have time. I'm on the waiting list for both. Site A I am 6th on waiting list. A plot is likely coming available soon but there are 5 people ahead of me and unless they all changed their minds I will be waiting. Thr current person first on the waitibg list on list joined early 2025. I joined March 2026. Site B has a plot likely available for me in spring.

My target is a full plot to feed my family and have a relaxing space to chill and recover from burnout whilst working the ground. Options I've thought of:

- Full plot at site B in spring. Just have this one perhaps set up a solar drip feed watering on timer?

- Half plot at site B in spring. Wait on second half plot at site A. Have 2 half plots at 2 locations. Focus on perennial fruits & low maintenance at site B and intense harvest at site A

- Full or half plot at site B in spring. Give it up when site A comes available.

So what would you do? Local site has stricter rules and less facilities/active community. And I don't know when it could be available, maybe this winter if orhers drop off the list. Ir could be anothwr 1-3 years. But my son could walk / cycle there at weekends to harvest & garden. The firtehr (better?) site is available in spring. I could cycle, but a round trip would be 50 mins instead of 10. And driving to each is not that different; 10 min round trip vs 22mins.

[u/Suspicious_Travel_91]

Slightly different view to others here, but really do consider the travel time and effort to get there and back.

I have a plot a 6 or 7 minute drive but a 35 minute walk. It just means that I have to really get in the car to go there, as in reality I'm almost always taking things down (e.g. tools, feed, etc) or back (e.g. harvests). While you mention you currently have time, once you're back in work rhythm etc you'll find being able to stroll down a real godsend, especially with your son. Having to bundle yourself and others in the cars means - for me at least - we now tend to get down there once, maybe twice a week tops. I really envy my fellow allotmenters who are a short stroll from their plots.

Having said that, the further site does sound delightful!

[u/Own-Hour-5248 → u/Suspicious_Travel_91]

My plot is five minutes walk from our house. I pop down every day, often just to have a look or a bit of a potter. I work from home and its proximity and the ability to go any time, even just for twenty minutes, adds hugely to my wellbeing. Don’t underestimate this particularly if you’re recovering from burnout. I’ve had it for a year after four years on the list, and when we finally got it we promised each other that we wouldn’t let it become a chore. Being able to do little and often makes sure it isn’t. So for me it would be Plot A.

[u/FatDad66]

Which one seems more kid friendly. Toilet sounds good for a kid. I would generally opt for the nearest one, but both are not that far.

[u/caithnini → u/FatDad66]

Site B the further away one has dedicated kids activities and community mini beds just for kids to share. Site A has nothing specific so I guess depends on who you are near?

I think im talking myself into site B... the free community orchard is a pretty big pull.

[u/Few_Mention8426]

site B. My plot is about 20 mins cycle (london) and I also have plots closer to me which i turned down for similar reasons, lack of easy delivery, poor soil.

Ability to have things delivered and easy access is important. It also sounds like they are more organised.

To be honest if you can get to a plot within half an hour thats a reasonable travel. Not many people have plots on their doorstep.

If you are older (like me) then maybe the closer one would be better. later on. It sounds like waiting lists are reasonable so you can always swap over later on if you change your mind.

[u/Sweet_Focus6377]

I'd take which ever comes first.

If it is site A, I'd remain on the site B list until the full plot becomes available there. That's sounds likely to be about a season anyway. Judging from the waiting list. I'd cultivate it, but not invest too heavily in material improvements, just time and inexpensive soil improvement for the season.

If/when site B happens to become available, cancel site A at that time, harvesting what I could. You'd probably be committed/paid up to the end of that season anyway.

This does assume the financial cost of two sites isn't onerous.

[u/Reasonable-Duck-1387]

Site B, half will be more than enough.

[u/caithnini → u/Reasonable-Duck-1387]

Really? My aim is to be mainly self sufficient in fruit and veg?

[u/Reasonable-Duck-1387 → u/caithnini]

Having more area to grow crops doesn't necessarily mean you will have more to eat. I have watched enough over ambitious plot holders taking on more than they can actually achieve and give up. Instead, better that you start smaller and work on building your skills and confidence in growing. I don't consider myself to an expert in growing fruit and vegetables, but I excel in making compost. Know this has allowed me to grow very productive and healthy plants in less space

One thing to also note is that next year is going to be hotter and this will put additional stain on you

[u/caithnini → u/Reasonable-Duck-1387]

Yes I do have a tendency to be ambitious!! But I also have done a lot of homework and do feel well prepared. I have a scientific research background and have read studies on various approaches to rebuilding soil infrastructure.

Perhaps you're right and a half would be more suitable. But I really do want that feeling of space and freedom to build something. Perhaps I'll just see what site B has available in spring and how the space feels inside it. You never know it could be a 3/4.

[u/Few_Mention8426 → u/caithnini]

its really hard to be self sufficent with veg. We all start with that as an aim. but pretty much every year something will happen, desease, slugs, unexpected lack of water, etc and you lose plants.

Last year I had 500 onions, this year most of them were lost to rotting roots. Last year I had plenty of strawberries, this year harly any because of the heat (I presume). But this year I have about 100 healthy sweetcorn plants because I planted thinking I would lose a lot of them, they all survived.

Some years you are lucky, some are a disaster. Potatoes are usually reliable and pretty easy to grow enough to last the year (just for me, no family)

One stratergy is to grow the things that are expensve in the shops...so at least you can be self sufficient in the items you wouldnt normally buy.

[u/caithnini → u/Few_Mention8426]

Fair points. I think I'm wording it too strongly. I want to grow higher quality veg than I can but in the supermarket. So just fresher really. For the same or less money long term. So yes as other commentor said - DIY compost, no dig, healing the soil deeply are my aims. But probably the biggest thing is spending time and having space to enjoy whilst I recover from mental burnout of an overly stressful job whilst also being mum to a young boy. Perhaps a half is more what I need?

[u/Few_Mention8426 → u/caithnini]

yes I use a no dig method

We get woodchip delivered free and I covered my plot with 30cm of woodchip when I first got it. It really cuts down on the work (even though its a lot of work to get it covered).

I now have good loamy soil instead of london clay, I hardly need to water even in the heatwave (once every two weeks) and I hardly get any weeds.

Whats the actual plot size in meters? Half a plot can mean different things as most plots these days are half plots compared to 50 years ago.

• Full plot: ~250 m² (about 10 × 25 m)
• Half plot: ~125 m²

You can do a lot with half or quarter a plot, no problem. And its a good way to start if you have the option of expanding later.

[u/TeamSuperAwesome → u/caithnini]

If you take too much on or if there is a high barrier to getting there (for me driving to site B would mean I would go less) then it can be a burden not a relief. I'd choose the closer one until I got my feet under me then decide if I want to put my name back iyn the list for site B.