Following a conversation regarding the wonders of vegetable plots and the lack of ideal growing space in our respective gardens, my friend Chris and I decided to apply for an allotment.
So around the middle of last year, we duly put our name down on the list imagining that we may be contacted at some time in the next millennium. It was therefore with some surprise that I took a call from Ashtead Allotment Society last week informing me that we were now the proud lessees of allotment plot 45b.
It is officially a half plot which is more commonly granted now, and more than enough for us to cut our teeth on. It measures approximately 60ft by 18ft.
Excluding large fruit trees, and I would imagine, hallucinogenic crops, we are permitted to grow anything we like. This includes chickens, pigs and assorted other small to medium animals. Of course as a pescatarian, any future mammalian occupants would be used purely for weeding, deslugging, eggs, milk and decoration.
The plot has been mis-tended and needs some work to bring it up to a cultivating state. Chris and I immediately got to work turning over around one quarter and clearing the remainder of rubbish, clumps, and tall weeds.
We returned a couple of days later to continue turning over the grass/soil but by then temperatures had plummeted and the ground was frozen solid. Since then the snow has come further hindering our efforts, but we continue make our plans for when the better weather returns.
Allotment 45b has a small shed which will allow us to store a few tools on site, and at a squeeze provide shelter from the rain. Chris has installed two chairs and we shall be investing in a very large flask.
We have been warmly welcomed by the Ashtead Allotment Society, and will be surrounded by what I can only imagine is hundreds of years of vegetable growing experience.
This blog will be a record of our progress and hopefully you will find something of interest here.
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