Thursday 8 May 2008

Allotment, good and not so good

There are lots of good things happening at the allotment at the moment.

Lots of parsnip seedlings have germinated this year after my unsuccessful attempts last year.


Lettuce seedlings are pushing their way up through my very stony soil.

The broad beans are covered in flower.


The redcurrants are already forming.


Then, there are the not so good things such as my broken compost bin.



Netting that has been pulled off the plants it was protecting and dumped in a corner.


This frame which supported the netting over peas has been snapped into pieces. Judging by the footprints it must have been broken by someone jumping on top of it.



Yes, our allotments have suffered at the hands of vandals again. I got off quite lightly really because I had very little for them to destroy. Every row of bean sticks on the field was pulled down and even thick stakes supporting raspberry canes were pulled over.
Why?
Whatever goes through the minds of the people who decide to purposely damage something that others have spent time and effort on?
I know in the scheme of things a few vandals damaging allotments is not the end of the world and most of us have already repaired the damage but what a pointless waste of time, for everybody concerned.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi - I stumbled across your blog as a fellow allotmenteer and love the read! Your little lettuces look about as big as mine! Where abouts in the South are you?
Ali

Jessica at Bwlchyrhyd said...

So sorry to hear about the vandalism -- no, it's not the end of the world, but it does make you wonder what the future of the world is when it's populated by people that do such utterly senseless things...

Heather L. said...

I'm sorry about the vandalism. I would be frustrated too. I saw the results of some here in our neighborhood on our last walk and it just made me sad and mad. The plants are looking lovely! I'm thinking I can do a few tomato plants and peppers in pots, since this year was the year for the flower garden.

willow said...

Hi Ali,
Thanks for visiting, we live in Berkshire. The forecast for the weekend in this part of the world is warm and fine so a good time to be at the allotment.

Jessica and Heather,
I was very annoyed when I first saw all the damage on our site but now I just feel saddened that there are people around who would behave like that.

Kayle Garkut said...

Hi.
Sorry to hear about the plague of vandalism that your allotment has had to endure. It really does anger me knowing the hard work that goes into the plot. Is updating the security/fences/gates/etc a feasable solution?

On a happier note, your parsnips and broadbeans are looking fantastic!

All the best and heres to another busy weekend at the plot.

Kayle.

Moonroot said...

I keep thinking I'm getting like my mother, exclaiming, 'I just do not understand some people!!' when I hear about incidents of vandalism such as you've experienced. But I really don't understand! How can it be enjoyable for them? As you say, just a waste of time for all involved.
So sorry to hear about this incident, but what good news about the parsnips! And the lettuces, broad beans, redcurrants etc all look great.

Robbie said...

Hi there - I have come to your blog from Little Jenny Wren - I am in Queensland, Australia. Please tell, what is an allotment - do you live on it or is it a separate space? I live on 10 acres and we have random acts of theft around here - water pumps, garden/farm implements - not that we have been unfortunate yet. We have 2 large and loud dogs! Take care - and love your blog!

willow said...

Thanks for the comments.
I'm not sure that much can be done to secure our allotments. It is in a rural area and there is a path through the middle so it would be difficult to stop people entering the site.

Robbie,
An allotment is a small space that is rented. Mine is actually a half plot and is 5 pole in size, whatever that is. I've never measured it but it is probably around 140 square yards. A whole allotment is supposed to be able to keep a family in vegetables and can be worked easily by one person in spare time. Britain had most allotments during the war years but numbers have been steadily falling since although its becoming much more popular again.