Dig!

Having grown up in a household where gardening was one of the most important pastimes I soon learned of the importance of watering tomatoes regularly and burying newspapers under the runner beans to hold moisture for the roots. Flower names became embedded in my brain and I’ve always had to have a camellia somewhere in the flower beds or borders. So when a young person develops an interest in anything garden-related I’m just delighted. This week we heard from a young friend who had applied for an allotment several years ago and now had received the news that one was available – such excitement! Having been to see it and send us photos it appears to be half a plot, so an “alittlement” perhaps? Still lots to do as it appears to have been left for a number of years. Tall grass masked the mature apple and pear trees and hid the raspberry canes so the first task was to clear some space. Since then an ingenious plan has emerged – to construct wooden frames to lay on the ground. Next put in a layer of cardboard to suppress the grass then a generous layer of compost on top. Almost a raised bed, just not very high. We are promised regular updates and look forward to the posts on Instagram as well as seeing the harvest. As those of us who are able to grow our own know, there’s nothing like home-grown produce, from plot to pot in minutes.