a plot too far?

on saturday 10^th april 2007, gemma and I became the proud owners of a new-born allotment. and we’re very excited about it.

plot 25 is one of eight new plots at the cross green allotments. gerry, the committee man, showed us around, and we agreed to take on what is currently a barren 30ft x 80ft patch of dry earth. our neighbours will be, to the left, a soon to be retired surgeon (who we haven’t yet met), and, on the right, geoff, a plumber. Everyone at the allotments seems very friendly. most of those to whom we have spoken have readily given helpful advice and tips, and some have even offered us plants, seeds, and equipment.

so far, we have a small assortment of tools (from my mum and dad), a water butt (gemma’s step-dad’s), some fencing (from freecycle), and, amazingly, a greenhouse and a shed (both of which we secured free through buyandselltoday.co.uk, and which we need to pick up in the week). we remain on the lookout for paving slabs, a wheelbarrow, and additional tools, butts, fencing and wood. indeed, anything that might be useful; we have quickly become scroungers.

we spent a couple of hours there at the weekend, and if we were in any doubt about the scale of the task ahead, we are no longer. the plot was created out of a previously overgrown and tangled mass by a jcb. the soil seems good,  but is riddled with roots, which need to be dug out. also, the plot, in fact the whole site, is peppered with glass and debris from the great tornado of ’06. the storm ran right through the allotments, destroying a large number of the plots (before heading over to east end park, where over one hundred trees were toppled like living dominos). we will need to remove all the smashed shards, wood and ceramic before thinking about planting anything.

nevertheless, we are eager to get going, and are constantly researching and planning what we need to know and do. we know this will be a long-term project, but as long as we remember that this will be an exercise in thrift and patience, we shouldn’t go far wrong.

Comments

[sue gardiner]

Sarah told me about your allotment when we were at the theatre last night. How exciting for you. You must grow some butternut squash when you are up and running they are easy to grow and once you have picked them they last for ages. Good luck

[Emma]

That's very cool having an allotment. I dug over part of a garden bed the other day as I'm thinking of planting some herbs and maybe some rocket.