I've been feeling frustrated with my limited growing space combined with the fact that realistically I'll definitely be here at least 5 years and likely closer to 10, so, figured I'd go ahead and apply for a spot at the allotment garden. With a long waiting list it will likely be several/many years before I get one, but, it will be nice to know that hopefully it will happen at some point.
I would just go for a half plot, which would still be 500 square feet!! My current backyard growspace isn't even 200 square feet! So, a half plot would be just dandy.
These are the types of things I think I would grow in the allotment, which would free up space in the yard. Thinking of things that...
- Can be planted as transplants rather than direct from seed (since I won't be around daily for watering until germinated)
- Don't need to be planted early (since the plots don't open up until mid-May)
- Aren't highly susceptible to insects (since I won't be around daily for removal)
- Aren't kitchen-garden types of things (eg salad items are nice to have at home)
So, here's what I'm thinking for the allotment (I'll update this list with future ideas):
- ground cherries (since I can no longer grow them in the yard due to rats)
- tomatoes (hopefully low risk of fruit theft since I pick them at first blush)
- potatoes (hopefully low risk of theft since out of sight)
- winter squash (a SVB-resistant variety)
- stevia (to sweeten my tea)
- buckwheat (to then bring them home for soil amendment)
- beans (easy to plunk in some pole supports; would be fun to grow different varieties)
- sunflowers (just for fun, and, since can no longer grow them at home due to rats)
And, maybe I could try some things that need more sun than my yard gets...
- peppers? but would be high risk of theft, still, could try for fun.
- onions? this would be worth trying
- what else? TBD...