[loosey]

As title really! I have a small paddock at the top of our lane which is a bit rough. I dumped a couple scoops of my muck heapup there last year which has all gorenw over now but do you think someone would like to use it?

I'm not worried about any money but if we were to get a small amount of veg out of it I'd be thrilled! I'm desperate to grow my own things but I just can't find the time!

Have been looking on the landshare website so will continue trawling that ... just wondering if there was likely to be much interested!

[sabrina]

Why not try an add in your local shop to see if anyone is interested. I am sure someone would jump at the chance 

[Fleecewife]

Or in the nearest town.  Lists for allotments are very long in some places and people may be prepared to travel a few miles at least.  Make sure if you do get someone that you write down some rules ie have a proper agreement, about tidyness, length of rental, terms  etc  They may want to put up a shed so you would have to check that with planning.
Before we had even an allotment way back when, I used to look at all the unused patches of ground and not understand why no-one was growing anything in them.  Your idea to share is lovely and I hope you find someone nice to work that patch.

[Leanne]

I just wish more people would share. I'm trying so hard to find a bit of land. I think you'll find people will be queuing up for it.

[benkt]

I expect there will be interest. I'm a trustee of a church land charity and we recently rented an acre of our field to the local parish council for allotments and they were all occupied pretty quickly.

[loosey]

I noticed that all the council owned ones here have waiting lists over a year long! I will do a few things with it like todying the fencing making sure none of our livestock can get in there and pop in on the landshare site ... It's quite big so I think probably 2 people could chare it and still have plenty of space!

[Norfolk Newby]

Depending on your location a water supply is needed. Here in Norfolk it would be essential at present!

This means that you need a metered supply and be prepared to pay the bill yourself. An isolating valve to shut off the supply over-night or when frosty (split pipe)would be wise to avoid water running uselessly.

[loosey]

We have a bore hole so I'm happy for them to come into one of the fields for water if that would be any good ... hmmmm didn't even think of water!

I could run water pipes up there but not sure I want to spend out on that if there is no financial return ... will have a think!

[Roxy]

Waiting lists here too, very popular are allotments nowadays.   I am sure there is no mains water at plots near us - they must bring it themselves, catch rain water, or take their watering cans down to the well on the lane, maybe?!

One thing ......watch for change of use in a field.  Poeple round us are getting enforcement orders on them for making plots in fields - cannot see why, but for some reason they do not like people tryng to grow veg where they want to!!

[ellisr]

Also if you encourage a small shed/greenhouse and they can collect water from there.

[bloomer]

we live in a built up area and most allotments here have waiting lists and they have no running water etc on site

work out your ground rules are sheds greenhouses allowed?

do you want ground rent (charge something even if its only nominal cuts down on timewasters)

if you expect to gain some veg from it work out how thats going to work...

having said all that i'm sure if you offer it out someone will rip your arms off for it 

[doganjo]

One thing ......watch for change of use in a field.  Poeple round us are getting enforcement orders on them for making plots in fields - cannot see why, but for some reason they do not like people tryng to grow veg where they want to!!

I don't understand that - it isn't logical - what do farmers do but grow veg in fields?  Carrots - potatoes - turnips - etc etc  What is the difference between a 20 acre field of carrots and a half acre bit of a 20 acre field with carrots, leeks, potatos etc?

[Dan]

Have you considered Landshare? - http://www.landshare.net/

[loosey]

See above Dan 

[Eastling]

We have someone via landshare, she has moved her chickens on to the land and is going to grow some veg. Seems to be working well. We did have several enquires but no one bothered to come and see it even tho there is a waiting list here for allotments.