Allotment Initiative

My name is URL

There's doom and gloom all over the shop.

People are losing jobs, money and pride. And the State is losing it's people.

There's also a huge amount of unused land and a willingness in people to start saving money etc.

Should the government make a pledge to assign unused and farm-able land to allotment designated areas for the good of the Nation?

imo -

It would do alot of good by giving people the opportunity to become somewhat more self-sufficient, it would bring young families closer together and instill a general sense of fulfillment for many people.. not to mention the ecological benefits

markok84

Do you get the rivercottage newsletter too?

Saibh

For anyone living in a city, where are they going to get allotments?

TequilaMockingBird

Yes. I want an allotment.





Not next to yours though, because you shout.

BroomBurner

I love river cottage!

OP, there are loads of allotment initiatives going on at the moment, lots available to rent in Rush and Wicklow that I know of for definite and other councils are promoting the whole thing.

Cabaal

You don't need allotment's to grow veg, small gardens or even balconys can allow you to grow veg....you can plant veg in pots, buckets or even buy patio planters and the like

TequilaMockingBird

Cabaal wrote: »

You don't need allotment's to grow veg, small gardens or even balconys can allow you to grow veg....you can plant veg in pots, buckets or even buy patio planters and the like

I want to waft around my gorgeous (imo:o) garden barefoot, and in white linen. :pac:

So does my cat though... Hence, no veg growing.

I need an allotment, or a cat thief.

BroomBurner

TequilaMockingBird wrote: »

I want to waft around my gorgeous (imo:o) garden barefoot, and in white linen. :pac:

So does my cat though... Hence, no veg growing.

I need an allotment, or a cat thief.

Chicken wire is your friend

TequilaMockingBird

BroomBurner wrote: »

Chicken wire is your friend

Well!! That was exactly my plan Mr BB. Lidl are doing a nice line in black netting from tomorrow that I think might do the job.

Lol, gardening in AH. :pac:




/swishes out in white linen and wellies barefoot..

brianthebard

Saibh wrote: »

For anyone living in a city, where are they going to get allotments?

Unused land in the city, or on the outskirts. Was that so hard to think about?

Saibh

brianthebard wrote: »

Unused land in the city, or on the outskirts. Was that so hard to think about?

Would the Government own this unused land, if not, would they be willing to buy it?

And add on the cost of converting them to allotments, would it be worth it in the end?

brianthebard

Nationalise the land, problem solved.

Allotments are worth it though.

SoupyNorman

In reality, any city allotment will eventually get trashed by Nike squad.

Darragh29

Allotments won't work in this country! I drove out of my estate last Monday and kids who were probably knacker drinking over the weekend, pulled up and distroyed newly planted trees that lined the road into the estate.

Allotments will be wrecked in this country, there is no chance an allotment would be left alone by knacker drinkers or vandals. You'd spend months planting and cultivating only for your carrots to be kicked out of your allotment a week before you were going to pick them...

Sea Sharp

I wonder will it really come to that where everyone has to grow their own food.

BroomBurner

Darragh29 wrote: »

Allotments won't work in this country! I drove out of my estate last Monday and kids who were probably knacker drinking over the weekend, pulled up and distroyed newly planted trees that lined the road into the estate.

Allotments will be wrecked in this country, there is no chance an allotment would be left alone by knacker drinkers or vandals. You'd spend months planting and cultivating only for your carrots to be kicked out of your allotment a week before you were going to pick them...

Sometimes the sun just never shines, Darragh.

Ostrom

Are you talking about complete subsistence?

Impossible from what I can see; those most in need of a short-term sustainable alternative are unlikely to have the means to travel (I cant see them being located in central Dublin, both for the problems of order mentioned above, and sanitation).

There is a small initiative underway to convert some of the land by DIT Kevin Street, but it is very much a middle class affair at the moment.

With processing, maintenance, conversion and education charges for a small supplement, I cant see it working given the market price of vegetables will likely remain below the overall cost of production.

Nice thought, but I cant see it becoming anything close to its old form.


Urban raised-bed cultivation is extensively practiced in Cuba, which may be an interesting posiblility

My name is URL

efla wrote: »

Are you talking about complete subsistence?

The goal is not entirely to grow-your-own, or even to save money

It's also about giving people a reason to go out and look after something that they put time into as a family. To help bind us with a feeling of being self-reliant in the tough times that we face.

Darragh29 wrote:

there is no chance an allotment would be left alone by knacker drinkers or vandals.

The same could be said for parks and gardens. Is it really that big of an issue around the country? I live in a rural village that has 3 community parks & playing fields and they're never vandalized.

OldGoat

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/search.php?searchid=6395441

Firefox10

Ah...allotments. The latest Middle Class Fad. Honestly, people should really do something usefull and go back to living beyond their means and buying Property in Bulgaria.:pac:

CreepingDeath

So the OP's idea for Irelands "smart economy" is that we all go back to growing pototoes ?

Captain Darling

Dunno about that idea comrade, the owners of the land may have a problem with it.

OldGoat

Captain Darling wrote: »

Dunno about that idea comrade, the owners of the land may have a problem with it.

S'funny, I read that as File:Hammer and sickle.VEG

My name is URL

Captain Darling wrote: »

Dunno about that idea comrade, the owners of the land may have a problem with it.

They could be incentivised to temporarily designate land. Be it with tax-breaks or subsidization.

CreepingDeath wrote: »

So the OP's idea for Irelands "smart economy" is that we all go back to growing pototoes ?

Funny guy

Turd Ferguson

efla wrote: »

Are you talking about complete subsistence?

Its not that hard. I'm growing my own 30mb broadband at the moment. Should be good to go by September

Firefox10

Captain Darling wrote: »

Dunno about that idea comrade, the owners of the land may have a problem with it.

Yeah and State Run Farming didnt work out too well for them either. Millions Starved.

Farming should be left to our Irish Farmers. They are actually quite good at it you know. (If only they were allowed to.)

DrumSteve

these allotments would be a great idea if we could grow weed in them.