About two weeks ago me and the family decided to have a socially-distanced meet up with some friends at the local allotment. There we were admiring our friends’ progress with their plot when one of them said “Why don’t you get a plot? There is one going free here.” Well I had a plot many years ago and it didn’t turn out too well.
My first attempt at taking on a plot happened 11 years ago. My eldest child had just been born, so life at home was hectic to say the least, and the plot I had been given was new but was previously wooded wasteland. It appeared that the council had just chopped down all the vegetation and then turned the soil over. I discovered this when digging on the plot for the first time I unearthed a whole tree! It was then I realised I probably wouldn’t have enough time to give the plot my full attention.
Fast forward to two weeks ago with my friends suggesting to take on a plot and I had my reservations. What if I couldn’t do it because of time constraints again? I didn’t want to feel like a failure. But my eldest now a lively young girl said that she would help and it could be a project for us. My wife also started to persuade me by saying this time will be different and it would be a good bonding exercise. So with the family’s backing I applied for the plot.
To say the plot needed work would be an understatement but this time I was determined. With a strimmer, a spade and a fork I went to work. My wife, daughter and son all joined in and things started to move quickly. The first thing we learnt is that some allotmenteers are messy buggers! There was so much rubbish found on the plot. There was everything from chicken wire and old flower pots to massive metal poles and shower screen doors! From some of the rubbish I scavenged some bits and pieces to reuse and we got rid of the rest.
One of the first things I needed was a compost bin. I had ordered two online but due to the current ‘global situation’ delivery would take up to 8 weeks. After looking around the allotment, I saw that a lot of people had built their own with pallets. I then made one myself which is a massive achievement for me as all my previous DIY has been done by other people.
With the grass cut, bin built and the rubbish moved I set to with digging out beds. One at a time I dug out a bed and sowed some seeds and planted some plants. Here is the current plan.
Bed 1
• Runner beans
• Tomatoes
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Kohl Rabi
• Rainbow chard
Bed 2
• Pumpkins
• Rocket
• Oriental leaves
• Coriander
• Leeks
• Purple sprouting
• Spring onions
Bed 3
• Runner beans
• Celeriac
• Courgette
• Radish
• Swede
• Beetroot
Also on my plot is a plum tree we inherited from the previous owner. This delighted my wife who started to have plans of making jam and baking all kinds of plum related goodies. She took it upon herself to Google how to prune and maintain the tree and has pretty much told me in no uncertain terms it was now her tree. I have no problems with this as it has really given her the allotment bug and she can now be found working on plot most days. She is also making many plans on how to make it look nice with a patio being her next big project.
Since the plot came with two sheds I have let the kids claim one for a den. They have had some big ideas. My daughter has been talking about having carpets and sofas put in! She is in for a shock when she ends up with tarpaulin and a deck chair.
Well this is the start I hope of something great but if it all turns to shit, at least we can have some laughs along the way.
Allotment Life 