Tales From The Plot
Hopefully by now the plot is tidy and pretty much weed free. This needn’t be the hard work you assume, there are plot holders that follow a no dig approach – my plot is a mixture of both. I find regular hoeing and raking keeps the weeds at bay and reduces the need for digging, brassicas in particular seem to do better in undug ground and that’s the wonderful thing about the allotments everyone is free to do their own thing.
As long as you make use of your plot and keep it reasonably tidy you will be left alone however, with such a long waiting list for the plots at the moment my thoughts are it’s not fair for anyone to have a plot and not make use of it, it’s a fact that you can’t just turn up with a packet of seed scatter it and come three months later and pick the produce. I promise you that does not work, you do have to enjoy gardening.
I love my plot so it’s not a chore for me but I do understand we are not all the same. My plot is not only a place to practise my favourite activity, it’s also a place to escape the daily grind, my shed is in excess of 100 years old it was built from railway sleepers and I think it should be a listed building, it has a cooker and comfy seating and when I’m there the door is open for anyone who wants a coffee and a chat and sometimes biscuits lol.
My resolution this year was to try and grow more for the winter – there are many winter greens that can be planted in late summer to supply produce throughout the winter and into the spring. In years gone by late winter through to early summer was a time of famine, known as the ‘hungry gap’, when the last of the overwintering and stored vegetables have been consumed and the first of the new year are still eagerly awaited. I personally haven’t managed to fill this gap yet some plot holders are more successful than me. I still have plenty to learn – you never stop learning. My target may be set too high but I would like to be able to come down any day of the year and take something home to eat, we will see how successful I can be but it may take a few years to perfect. Patience is indeed a virtue!
Richard Thorpe 15b