Allotement/garden help needed.

swingaloo

Bit of a strange request this. My adult son has recently decided that he is interested in gardening but hasnt really got much idea:rotfl:

He wants to grow vegetables not flowers and we have very limited space in the back garden. There is a long waiting list for an allotment in the area and Im not sure he would have the know how to sustain one anyway as he is more 'green' than 'greenfingered' at the moment.

He is quite a shy person and quite a loner, he walks a lot and goes to the gym but dosnt mix much socially. But hes a lovely guy with a heart of gold. Its the first time hes got really exited about a hobby and would like to develop it.

I know its a long shot but I keep thinking that somewhere out there is a person who probably cant manage thier garden/allotment any more and could do with the help in return for a bit of teaching know how, but its finding someone. He has had an advert in the local papershops offering to help but had no response. People may be wary of a young bloke on thier premises.

Any suggestions as to how to proceed- there are no gardening clubs or night classes. He is in the Westhoughton area of Bolton- I know its a long shot but does anyone who could use help in exchange for experience and a bit of teaching.?

poppysarah

Landshare maybe.

But I would get him along to the nearest allotment site and have a chat with them there. There might be someone who would happily have a bit of help in exchange for knowledge.

RAS

Hi

We are a couple of people who come along to our allotments and help out with other folks plots.

I have been very grateful for the help of a young woman who just gave me 4 hours digging help in exchange for some produce.

Once he gets more experienced, he might get someone to let him have a small section of their polt to owrk for himself.

It is worth learing the basic permaculture zoning idea - grow delicate stuff near home like salads and herbs and stuff that can look after itself on the plot.

Check out the Garden Organic teaching web-site and Mel bartholomew for Square foot gardening - based on 4 foot squares and Send a Cow for African bag gardens. Both produce lots from very small spaces.

Archiebear

Some places have community garden schemes ?

Or he could try BTCV who take on work in the countryside (hedge laying etc) - he may learn new skills even if it isn't growing veg and may help to improve his social life:)

Or, try sheltered housing schemes...the one by us has a lovely garden complete with greenhouse and raised beds. Lots of the older people enjoy the garden but don't always have the physical ability to do it; I know here that they ask the local college to get involved.

Antispam

I agree landshare. Maybe deliver leaflets in area in folks houses. There must be loads of people who have houses with garden who dont look after them. Maybe put on leaflet that garden will be kept nice provided there is some space for veg and share some of the produce say 1/3rd to owner

Allotments can be very hard to get hold of now in some areas. I wouldnt mind it but gardening can be sometimes not cheap its the quality and the fact much is not using pesticides and its fresh that is big winner

Lotus-eater

How much space exactly is "limited space", are we talking a tiny garden, where there is really no space, or a garden full of flowers that you don't want him to use?

floss2

Why not keep your eyes open for your local allotment open days, and go along with him? Then you / he could get chatting to people, and see what comes of that contact?

REEN

The people at The Kitchen on Great Moor Street in Bolton town centre may be able to help. They are in contact with local veg growing groups.

Isaac_Dunne

You could also get your son to purchase his own gardening equipment, I can see how gardening on a allotment gives you a lot more space but there are some alternatives, you can use an 'Aero Garden' would allow your son to grow some produce indoors, ideal if he is quiet shy and weary about gardening with other people. There's also different kits he could use like hydroponics or aqua ponics, I know a good website which supplies this stuff but people don't take kindle to me posting it on here, if you'd like me to supply it to you just send me a message

dogstarheaven

http://www.boltonconservation.org.uk/page2.htm

try this group, he'll get to meet like-minded ppl. although he's not so good in social situations, they're really are v. sympathetic towards ppl from diverse backgrounds and works with communities in mental health, schools etc.,

or as someone says, transition bolton - there's various groups that you and your son could attend...

http://www.transitionlinks.org/?page_id=1126

Suzy_M

Any drop-in centres for pensioners nearby? Approaching them first may overcome any reticence pensioners may have about having total strangers approach them direct.