It’s no secret that growing your own food takes time. But just how often should you go to your allotment plot in order to make it productive, keep it in order and keep the committee from issuing you a warning?
When I took my allotment plot on, like many people in the UK, I had all the time in the world as we were in a lockdown. I no longer had school runs, a full time job or a social calendar to attend to. So I was able to throw myself in and tend to my plot almost every day.
Now that life has returned to normality, time has been limited. I’m lucky enough to have been able to forge a career out of my online documentation of my allotment garden journey. I write for several magazines and work with brands to create digital content on a full time basis now. But even with my freelance hours, I don’t have time to visit my plot every single day.
WHAT’S THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME YOU NEED TO SPEND ON AN ALLOTMENT PLOT?
I visit my plot three times a week for about 2 hours at a time. I usually go in the morning, just after dropping the kids at school. I’ve carved this into my weekly routine so that if I don’t go now, I feel a little bit out of sorts!
Over the winter, this time is reduced to about once a week. There are far fewer allotment jobs to do over the colder months, especially once your plot is well established.
I think the key is in organisation. Having a clear to-do list kept up to date is always helpful as well as a simple plan for jobs you’ll be doing next week, next month or next season.
PLAN AHEAD
Plans are important when you have an allotment plot. Planning what crops to grow, what kind of work they might need and where they will be planted saves time and creates a structure for the garden.
Planning what smaller jobs you’ll tackle with each visit also makes you more productive and organised and makes the entire plot feel more manageable. There are so many gardening plans you can find online to help with things like crop rotation, when to start seeds or even just planning for the seasons.
Plans save time. Don’t be like me in my first year and think they are unimportant. They will make everything feel easier.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN AN ALLOTMENT?
It might help to think about what you actually have to do to maintain an allotment plot. That way, you’ll be able to make a better judgement about how often you should go to your allotment plot.
At my site, the committee asks that at least 70 per cent of your plot is cultivated at all times. This can include covering a portion of your plot in a weed membrane in order to keep it under control.
There are so many ways you can start an allotment plot. You can try no-dig raised beds which take considerably less time to maintain, but do cost more if you haven’t mastered the art of compost making yet! There are crops you can whack in and pretty much leave to take care of themselves such as fruit trees, courgettes and perennial vegetable plants.
I think you really need to think about the kind of vegetables you want to grow and how much work they might require.
SO HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO TO MY ALLOTMENT PLOT?
Let’s answer the question as concisely as we can shall we?
Over the winter, I would say you should visit your plot at least once a week. Why? Because it’s important to check for damage, it’s helpful for future plans and honestly, it’s just great for your mental and physical health.
In the Spring time, visits should be more frequent, but not necessarily long. Popping in 3 or 4 times a week to water, weed one bed or just check on things is enough. And then perhaps one longer visit at the weekend to do some planting, bigger jobs or to just enjoy the plot!
Allotment plots don’t have to be perfect. In fact, it’s better for wildlife if they are not! They are a commitment, and they should be. Because they are wonderful, magical places where you can lose yourself for hours at a time! Create a space that you want to spend time in, it’ll make you more inclined to visit often.
