its a real shame to see allotments going back to nature and from your replies its general is it because of other commitments not enough time inexperience in gardening or just can't be bothered I think when people watch Monty on gardeners world it looks so easy which is I'm afraid is a misconception of gardening because as gardeners we all know it can be very labour intensive
I think most of my fellow gardeners are retired but there are several women gardeners on the allotments that do a good job growing veg
you would have thought being a village with only a small amount of allotments there would be a waiting list but I counted 5 plots not cultivated this year some started some not the plot next to me was vacant for some time and then it was taken on sprayed ploughed rotovated and planted things where happening so I thought then they stopped coming and it quickly went back to nature
years ago we had far more allotments and a waiting list as long as your arm and they where all done but as the allotments where unattended they where sold of for development we also had what we call roadside gardens pieces of ground next to the road that where free to those who cultivated them those to where all gardened how times change in those days people relied on there allotments to feed there families with fresh veg on the table no supermarkets in those days and you where expected to help your dad on the plot before going out to play if you wanted your belly filled
that's the past as they say the present day gardening seems to be more on raised beds and poly tunnels
its what I call the modern take on gardening is it better than the old fashioned way don't know will the allotment ever get back to a waiting list only time will tell I suppose as long as there's retired people wanting to grow fresh veg or spend time on the allotment plot then we can keep allotments going as it would be a real shame to see allotments disappear to modern development
my allotments are part of my way of life I cal it garden therapy and I wouldn't give that up unless circumstances forced me well motorists would certainly miss me trailing behind me on my 1954 ferguson tractor doing 5MPH going to the allotments because many of those know me they always put two finger up when they eventually manage to pass me happy gardening for 2018