The FastDay Forum

Ok since my husband is in bed and I need to vent, I hurl it at you guys!

Been talking back and forth with our landlord (via our letting agents) about turning a raised part of our garden into a little allotment, it was all well and good, agreements all round, landlord was happy to let it happen as it would make the house a better investment for him (i dunno why, that's what we were told!) we made agreements not to re do the whole garden or introduce anything that isn't easy to maintain if we ever left the property, easy enough, we wouldn't do that any way. We'd started to buy good quality earth and compost, booked a skip and bought bits ready to start, and got a phone call not half hour ago saying that the landlord has changed his mind and if we do anything major to the garden it could be in breach of our tenancy agreement, even though we went through our agreement and found nothing of the sort, so now we can't do anything and have all the stuff to do a lovely veg/fruit garden with! So angry right now, can't believe after all that's been said and done he changed his mind! ARGH!

Sympathies! Just wondering if you wait a few days (when the anger has subsided) and see if he'll change his mind. You never know, maybe he will. Have you told him you bought all the stuff? What a mean old landlord, though.

Sorry @Dragonsheart xx

Bean

Could the letting agent and landlord to come round and show them what you want to do. Perhaps if they see it they might be a bit more open to it. Probably not knowing exactly what you want to do is making them think all kind of things. Also ask at the local council about allotment spaces then at least if it's a no go with the garden it could be an idea.
Also my Dad use to garden for an old lady and she allowed him to use some of hers as a vegetable plot. He gave her produce and kept the rest of it tidy for her. Could be another option for you.

Don't rant (not to him anyway), @DragonsHeart and don't eat just because you're angry!

Why don't you try taking a big breath and, via the letting agent, ask why the change of mind? Explain that you have purchased things to get started and perhaps offer a plan of the garden with the proposed veg plot on it to show it's low impact. Be very grateful if he would reconsider and maybe even offer to re-turf if/when you leave?

Sometimes in thee situations a measured approach can work much better than an angry one, meeting him more than half way gives him a way of backing down without appearing to!

Good luck with your veg plot - otherwise get your name on the list for a proper allotment!

Oops - wrote this then @nursebean and @Brand-ie got in first! It just echoes what they're saying really but having typed it - it's staying!

@StowgateResident @Brand-ie @nursebean When the initial anger has died down I'm going to ring back and ask why the change of mind. We have had them both over and gone over the plans for the allotment, even have a document on the computer with all the info we've agreed on!

Sounds like a very sensible plan of action. Good luck!

Let us know how you get on.

UPDATE: Had a sit down talk with letting agents and landlord this morning. Was all well and good, but, it seems that the landlord can change his mind and not let us do anything as he own the property. He had a mind change because if we ever left, he would have to come and maintain the allotment and make sure nothing happened to it as it would be his responsibility as soon as we left, which, to be fair to him, is a lot of work since he maintains all of his properties himself, I did stat that it wasn't fair to us that he decided to change his mind after we had bought stuff, to which he did apologies for and has reimbursed us the full amount!!

We're going to go a different route now and buy some massive plant pots to do some veg in, so it's less work for us too so i don't mind that much!

So glad it's all been sorted, even though it has been a bit of a let down in one way, at least we can have our veg patch another way

Glad it is sort of sorted, go google "door sized vegggie gardens" or similar wording. It is truly amazing what one can grow in small spaces. The other benefit of planters or pots is that you can get to the plants from all sides.

Some years ago I got a bunch of old wooden pallets and broke them apart then using the planks I made boxes, about 2m by 0.5m, simple design, lined them on the sides with black plastic and stones on the bottom for drainage, worked a treat.

There are so many options. Enjoy.

@brian1 brilliant, thanks for the advice, googled that and "plant pot veggie garden" got some great ideas now!