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Reclaiming the Abandoned Allotment Ep.1

Plot 182 & 183

41,704 views

Reclaiming two abandoned allotments (Plots 182 & 183) that have been untouched for over 20 years.

In this video, I take you on a full walkthrough of the overgrown plots, explore the forgotten brick outhouse and glass greenhouse, and share my plan to turn this overgrown jungle into a natural nature trail.

Follow along as I clear back years of brambles, discover old tools and history hidden in the outhouse, and start bringing these plots back to life using simple hand tools.

💬 Have suggestions or advice for clearing the plot? Drop a comment below!

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If you enjoy the videos and want to chip in toward fuel, new strimmer/brushcutter blades, tools,clothing or just a brew to keep us powered through the clearing: https://www.paypal.me/AaronSedge
Every penny goes directly back into buying tools and materials for the plot. Thank you so much for the incredible support!

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Tools Used in This Video

🛠️ Spear & Jackson Razorsharp 3-Piece Cutting Set: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7205743
(Note: Not an affiliate link)

20 Comments

@AaronsPlot182 Creator 2 weeks ago Pinned

Appreciate all the support on the channel! 🌿
If you want to help chip in towards the equipment fund for Plots 182 & 183 (working towards getting an Erbauer multi-tool for the heavy clearance), you can throw a brew into the pot here https://buymeacoffee.com/Plot182

@mohammadsaeed8433 13 days ago

When I was 13, (late 70's) I tried to take over an allotment which was clearly abandoned but authorities said I wasn't old enough and it was still registered to someone, so I went to council office everyday begging for it, eventually (2 weeks later) they were so tired of me they said OK! I kept a section for chickens grew veg on the rest. I would be there till dark most days, I loved having my little bit of england.

@seanjamescameron 3 days ago

What an amazing space. Beautiful.

@DawnLal 3 weeks ago

As an allotment holder who also took over a very overgrown plot, the best advice I was given was not to try to do everything at once. Plan priorities like getting rid of rubbish, finding and clearing pathways and then you can see the size of the plot properly and what needs to be done. One job at a time and it'll soon be looking amazing.

@lyndasutherland7370 2 weeks ago

Oh boy what a treasure trove. I could lose myself in there for a day or two

@shrory 5 days ago

I used love going to my father allotment, that fed the family through the war, rationing was still in force when I was born,
Loved digging out new potatoes and carrots, washing them at the Tap (faucet ) eating raw.

@RestoreAndRevealTV 9 days ago

You could already see the shape of the allotment coming back by the end. Looking forward to the next part.

@nell5607 2 weeks ago

It’s like the Secret Garden!!

@quailqueen6530 3 weeks ago

What an awesome project. Document the good and the bad and there are lots who will watch you.

@davidryan4454 6 days ago

This is going to be very interesting to follow 👍🏻
The 'thing' at 6:10 is a WW2 Civil Defence stirrup pump. You stick the short end into a bucket of water, stand on the circle and pump the handle up and down. I have one and use it to spray my brassicas with a soapy solution to try to keep the bugs off.
Dig in fella, this is going to be one heck of a project !

@alexmousley7213 3 weeks ago

Many men of a certain age- i.e. who lived through a world war will have stashes like this- when you are brought up to make do and mend and when raw materials let alone manufactured goods were rationed, you kept things just in case.

It's really nice that you have a record of the plot as it is and I'm sure you'll make it into the plot it used to be. Some of those old items in the shed are museum pieces and some probably made from brass.

@seanjamescameron 3 days ago

6:10, place one end in a bucket of water and put your foot on the circle part and start pumping water.

@michaelmontgomery2727 6 days ago

Wow, what a project. Good luck!

@PeacefulGardenLife 3 weeks ago

Hiya.
Firstly, congratulations on inheriting such a beautiful parcel of land, also please accept my condolences for your loss.
Secondly, this could be made into a magnificent garden and I think you really should consider what the long term goal is. Are you planning on growing vegetables and rescuing the fruit trees? You could always approach local historians to get a feel for what the allotment looked like in its prime or consult with a landscape garden to get some ideas. Either way, wow what a huge project!
The first thing should be to chop down all the brambles and clear out the sheds (the rubbish will just encourage rats).
I’m really looking forward to seeing how you intend to tackle the overgrowth and how you plan to restore the allotment or develop it into something new.
Watching from Australia 🇦🇺
🙂

@sueyoung-q9h 2 weeks ago

You may find when you get through to the low brick structure, that it is a cold frame. You have your work cut out for you,looking forward to seeing the progress.

@chrisT5259 9 days ago

Keep at it my friend. Your tenacity has paid off thus far!

@StephenElliott-dj8bh 10 days ago

Great video. What an amazing adventure you have coming up. I only started my allotment Jan last year, nothing as overgrown as yours but I've loved every minute doing the hard graft and it's surprising how quickly you'll reveal some growing space, little at a time. I'd be looking at those two raised beds myself and get some winter greens and garlic on the go. I think the best thing I did at the start of my journey, besides clearing things, was to set up my three bay pallet composting area. All that overgrowth you have is gold dust and can be your amazing compost potentially by this coming spring. 'Feed the soil' is the way to focus. I'm looking forward to watching your progress so have a good time and good luck 🙂