The allotment - one year on
It's hard to believe we've had our allotment a whole year. But, despite the mess it's in at the moment, and the terrible wet summer, it has served us really well with lots of our own veg, exercise and fresh air.
It has cost me all of 12 for the rent plus pennies for seeds.
Readers and allotment neighbours have been generous with their gifts too, with many people giving me seeds to try and extra produce when they have too much. I have shallot sets waiting to go in (as soon as I can bend over) from one kind reader.
The community benefits to having an allotment can't be underestimated – developers of new estates take note.
My three boys have been able to run around safely, learning where their food actually comes from, and will even eat red cabbage, courgette and lettuces which they wouldn't previously have touched ("Yuk, leaves!")
And while it isn't the immaculate plot I'd pictured 12 months ago, it isn't overgrown, apart from a stubborn patch of couch grass that will be history as soon as imminent fourth baby has arrived.
Thankfully it had been well-cultivated when I took it over, but the weeds do come quickly and I learned all too well that, unless you get control from the beginning, you simply spend all your time weeding.
A neighbour suggested covering it with black fabric from the start and it's a tip I'm glad I acted upon.
While I've been out of action with the pregnancy, it has been ticking over without too much extra work piling up.
During the last 12 months we've successfully grown carrots, courgettes, lots of runner beans, onions that we've only just finished eating, beetroot, spring onion, pumpkins and squash, lots of potatoes despite the blight, lettuce, spinach, leeks and parsnips.
We grew lots of flowers too, mainly in four-year old Billy's weed patch, which I almost destroyed when the seedlings came up. It was one of the most successful parts of the allotment, with sunflowers, phlox, cornflowers, and wildflowers galore.
Less successful were outdoor tomatoes which got blight and not enough sun, spring cabbages and calabrese which simply disappeared after planting out, some leeks I planted and forgot to thin out in time, and lots of salad crops that got eaten by snails.
This year I hope to work harder up at the plot, with big plans for more fruit, and much better planning. We visited this week to check on our garlic and it was a joy to breathe in the clean air and enjoy the peace, even if it is in the middle of town!
I'd heartily recommend an allotment to anyone, even the most basic of beginners. Find out more at your nearest council, which for Northampton is 01604 838793 or email bvine@northampton.gov.uk.
n I'm off for a spot of maternity leave, but will still be writing my column so stay in touch!
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Friday 10 February 2012
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