Starting an Organic Allotment

My Hereford Allotment Plot on the day I was offered it.

I moved to the country three months ago. I had given up my allotment in Hampshire which I had held for ten years and had worked towards getting it exactly how I wanted it.

I had two sheds, a poly tunnel, compost bins, paths, much loved plants and enriched soild which I had to leave behind when I moved. It was one of my hardest goodbyes.

Fast forward a month and I was grateful to be given an allotment, rather unexpectedly in my new location. You hear of many stories of years long waiting lists so I felt very lucky to be offered one so quickly. However, it came with some problems. The plot was overgrown and neglected with brambles, bindweeds, rubbish and, worst of all, horseradish! Allotment neighbours told me of an older gentleman who had grown increasingly unable to manage and had finally given up the plot this year.

I didn’t feel daunted or overwhelmed at the prospect. My strategy was to tackle it little by little. I started by clearing the rubbish, and found there were also many things that I could re-use or re-purpose - wood, pallets, compost bins, breeze blocks and so on.

So far, after three months, I have cleared by hand two thirds of the plot and have planted some crops - sweetcorn, potatoes, courgettes, cucumbers plus my favourite flowers for cutting and drying.

The plot after some serious work clearing away rubbish and weeds.

I have big plans for the remaining, most overgrown section, including a patio, poly tunnel, bug-house, dead hedge, wildlife pond, raised beds, fruit cage and open compost bays. I plan to create this spending as little as possible on materials, but recycling and picking things up for free or secondhand where I can.

I have found that having my allotment has started to make me feel at home in my new location and has enabled me to meet some lovely new people.

Allotments are really my favourite places.