chickenanne Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Do any of you have any experience or thoughts on using land via the landshare scheme? There's something available near me, which I'm really keen on... but I'm worried about putfalls (e.g. doing lots of work to get plot into shape and then the owner wanting it back). I've not seen it yet, but it sounds like it might be pretty overgrown, so a lot of work to get it up to scratch. Half of me thinks I should go for it and be grateful for the chance, and half of me thinks it might end up being a frustrating mistake. Am I just being mean-spirited, untrusting cynic? Hearing of any expereince, direct or indirect, would be great, as would general thoughts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 Go and take a look then dont be afraid to turn it down politley if you think its not going to work out for you. We went through this last summer. A lady contacted me via our Landshare land wanted ad. It was a 20 min journey for us from work and we seriously considered it as a option hoping to go in our lunch times. We really wanted it to work out but in all seriousness it would never have worked out time wise for us. It was really hard to turn down as we so wanted it but the lady was lovley and understood fully why we couldnt commit and I think saying yes and then not fullfilling what she wanted would not have been fair to her. Its a two way street really. If they have neglected land, they may just want it put to use and tended too or they may have grand plans and want someone to do some donkey work. You wont be able to suss it unless you go and ask a lot of questions. Good luck and let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 20, 2010 Share Posted January 20, 2010 I agree with missuscluck, Go and have a look and see what you think. They might be really nice and you get a good 'vibe' from them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 I'd thought about joining it, so I could possibly keep more chickens, but you had to be 18 to join...I'm 17. But, I think the scheme is really good and if the land is close enough then you should go for it, as you'll probably meet some great people and make new friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 14, 2010 Share Posted February 14, 2010 Wouldn't your parents help out Liz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 16, 2010 Author Share Posted February 16, 2010 Updated: I go ans look at it this weekend... I know, quite a delay, but never mind. I'm wary of taking on more than I have time for, but until I see it I won't know. Liz, you could still ahve a look at local options, and see if your parents would help out? You might find that there's not much in your area anyway - this seems to be true for around here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I've just logged on and the first one that came up ... "a large paddock area with greenhouse needing tlc". Show on map ... Its on my road!! Literally 20 houses away Will email them just to ask a bit more and see what they're doing with it now, but we have a big enough garden already ... Dinner chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 - what a find! Not sure they'll welcome table birds though - they're probably hoping for a share in veggies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I know. Drove past earlier and its either a big garden, or the unused field the other side of the road. They're both look just like longish grass so would need a bit of work, so maybe they just want someone to do something with it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Sounds good to me! If it was me I'd be finding some pekins to breed and sell on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I can imagine me toddling up the road with handfuls of chicks! Don't think I'll actually follow it up after thinking about it, because I don't properly use the space we have at home so other people could make better use of the space. Could always offer to help someone else grow their veg there though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I had a quick look to see what was in my area. Someone not too far away had a bit of their back garden I could use for fruit and veg...but really I'd want a place to keep some more hens though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 This was a very old post of mine, from when I was considering taking a plot under the landshare scheme in March -but thought would update! I have a plot, and it;'s FANTASTIC. The other people are great, the owners are amazingly lovely, the location is (almost) ideal. My peas are nearly ready - I've had a few sneaky pods, the potatoes coming along nicely, the sweetcorn is doing strangely well..... the beetroot and carrots and leeks, well, bit unenthusiastic about life (to put it mildly!) - which is odd as have never struggled to grow them before - but hopefully with a bit more watering they'll take off soon. So, if anyone gets a chance to do this, then I would wholeheartedly recommend it. It is a fantastically generous thing for landowners to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 Great to hear a success story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
