Jenny Mollison: Allotment tales

A vacant plot in tip-top condition at the beginning of the growing season is welcome news to the person at the top of the waiting list. Often a new plotholder has to contend with a legacy of weeds from his predecessor before getting to grips with his own plans.

However, behind each changeover of plots there is often a story. While still ahead of the game, Davie decided to call it a day as health problems had begun to prevent him keeping his plot up to the high standard he had set himself. Not only was his plot a picture of abundant productivity and enviable neatness, but he often found time to help others. Car park titivating, fence mending, path slabbing and a bit of plumbing were all in a day's work. Open days won't be the same without his wife weighing out the produce. When he volunteered to help out, others joined in.

He has handed on his plot in walk-in condition like a new house complete with fitted carpets and beautiful kitchen. But before he left, he offered round some of his allotment treasures. Albert inherited his hut, complete with net curtain and nesting box. With a bit of help it has been relocated. I am delighted to have a sufficiency of wire pegs to hold down netting and some lengths of alkathene pipe, which will support the strawberry netting so much better than my motley collection of jam jars perched on canes.

Davie's plot has been divided into two half plots but not without some heart-searching. Halving all the existing whole plots would make a big difference to waiting lists. But for many people, a half plot is simply not big enough by the time there's a hut, some permanent planting such as rhubarb and soft fruit, some compost bins and a water butt.

Our cash-strapped councils can't provide enough allotments to meet the demand though. The latest solution is something known as "Meanwhile Gard-ening". This is based on the assumption that there is a potential supply of land under the management of a variety of landowners, such as housing associations, Network Rail, and the NHS, that will be developed at some time in the future. In some cases, this may be as far ahead as ten or 20 years from now. Providing prospective gardeners know that the land will eventually be reclaimed, it could be put to very good use as a temporary growing space.

• This Article was first published in The Scotsman on Saturday March 27, 2010