An invite to Plot 30C

The 23rd of January 2025 was a big day. It marked a little over 4 years since I joined the waiting list for a local allotment, and it was finally the day my name reached the top.

When I first signed up back in 2021 the email confirming my place on the waiting list optimistically estimated that I would get a plot in 18-24 months. I am not sure that this guesstimate had taken into account the apparent boost grow-your-own and allotmenting had been given by covid. I had started to wonder if I'd get to the top any time soon and, being that I am lucky enough to have a garden, made the most of little veg projects at home. With mixed success I have had bountiful rhubarb, several squashes, beautiful beets and lots and lots of chard and cavolo nero. It turns out that our Labrador enjoys brassica leaves just as much as a cabbage white, but I don't really mind sharing.

Only about 14 months ago I was number 63 on the list. What had changed in those other peoples lives, how many got a plot, and how many had filled life up with other stuff? In the 4 years waiting I have changed job a few times, got a dog, and a selection of allotment books. That small pile of books, and a whole host of websites have been subjected to a really good browse since I became a prospective plot holder. I am now overflowing with ideas and enthusiasm.

I can get a little carried away with a project or hobby so I will have to keep an eye on that. So far I have mentally redesigned the garden at home, planned multiple variations of what I can do at the plot - all without having visited yet. The books however have helped rein me in, hopefully.

Current Spend: £0
Current Mood Word: Excited

Just so you know how excited I am, here are the plans I like the most at the moment...

1. Grow lots of fruit. I don't buy as much of it as I would like to eat, berries are expensive and often have lots and lots of food miles. Also supermarket strawberries often don't smell or taste strawberry enough.
2. Include lots of flowers. I would like to enjoy looking at the space, but also beneficial plants can attract pollinators as well as other bugs and beasties that will (help) keep the plot, and veg munching critters in balance.
3. Use inspiration from "Grow All You Can Eat in 3 Square Feet" to design mixed crop beds that let me experiment with crops on the site rather than committing to a large amount of anything.
4. Where possible use things I have, review my existing seed collection, move the rhubarb, the yarrow and the currents (red and white) from the garden to the plot.

Sensible things I have done

• Called the allotment man to arrange a visit before I accept the plot
• Read the allotment rules
• Viewed the plot on google
• Made a list of things to ask about or look for on the visit

Oh, I also made sure the doggo is welcome, he is!

Here is my list of things to check at the allotment

• Water - how close is the water supply to the plot?
• Soil - what is is like?
• Weeds - are there problem weeds on the site?
• Facilities - what is available?
• Position, light, exposure?
• Pests - is there anything that I need to know about?
• Keys - can I have 2?