My vegetable growing life is about to enter a new chapter, and I’m quite excited about it. I’m saying goodbye to the allotment in favour of a little vegetable plot in the new garden.
There’ll be a scaling down of the amount that I grow, but the stroll to the end of the garden rather than a one mile walk to the allotment [or more often than not, driving there] is what’s really clinched the decision.
summer at the allotment was a lovely time
a crop of vegetables from the allotment in July
I’ll be able to pick just the right amount of vegetables as I need them and keep an eye on things every day, this could mean that I have a better chance of getting to grips with pests and diseases. You can probably tell that I’m still gutted about the blight that demolished my tomato crop this year, sob.
I can see from the state of my allotment, compared to neighbours who live over the road and keep their plots all spick and span, that being nearby is a major factor in keeping a healthy, productive allotment.
I’ll definitely be growing more of these multi-coloured beetroots
we’ll take some of this rhubarb with us when we go
The tradition of allotments is a wonderful thing, they go on through the decades, handed on from one person to the next, each contributing their own layer of experience. So I’m still championing allotments, but my posts about growing vegetables will be from my garden instead.
Happy gardening, Jill
all photos: Jill Anderson
Dear Jill, sorry to read that the allotment is being downsized. I have just gone through the same process a few months ago but unlike you am not in a position to continue with the idea on a much smaller scale. I am however looking forward to having an allotment again sometime in the future.
I am also happy to read that this doesn’t mean the end of the blog. Looking forward to reading about this new phase in your gardening career.
Regards, Matshila
Hi Matshila, I’m looking forward to growing fruit & vegetables in the garden,some way to go yet!I hope you manage to get an allotment again, good to hear from you. Jill
I gave up 12 raised beds in my own yard when I got older and found I couldn’t eat or give away what I was growing. Now I still have some things on the deck in pots while some are in the last 6’x12′ bed. I’m in my 80’s with no family near so it makes sense. Don’t feel bad, just do your thing. At 80, I turned several raised beds into a David Austin rose garden instead of taking a trip alone and this is making my life more fulfilling with something to do — rootings from some plus other plants to add in. Never did this but learned from GW on BBC via youtubbbe
Hi Cynthia, Thank you for your message, that sounds very sensible, you probably have just what you need now, and I love David Austin roses, we have a few in our garden. You’re so right about doing your own thing, just as long as we can grow vegetables to fit in with our lives so it’s a pleasure not a chore. Jill