ALLOTMENT LIFE WILL CARRY ON…
Our resolve is strong so us gardeners will find a way to continue on the plot while staying safe
There’s a ‘growing’ concern on our allotments as the pandemic deepens again. The Albie’s café crowd of me, Ron, Mike, Gene, Dai, Jeff and Tommy have managed to keep ourselves safe by socially distancing while still being able to have our coffee breaks safely together. This has kept spirits high and the community feeling going, and allowed the usual
But there’s now the concern that having been lucky with the weather for the majority of the outbreak that this may soon change. With autumn and winter knocking on the door, how can this community still go on while how to keep safe is paramount in our minds? Allotmenteers are very innovative and I’m sure, having survived all that nature can throw at us, this will soon be overcome and continue on the plot! Despite the lateness of the season there are a few remarkable events taking place which indicate further changing climate. My strawberry bed finished its cropping in early August, the tops were cut back hard and all the straw between the plants have decent-size strawberries on them! Imagine my surprise this week when I noticed a few red berries among the foliage and have picked a few ripe ones. This is mid October! What’s going on?
The days must be ge ing cooler, for my absent friend the red-breasted robin is back on the scene. He was partially dependent on my goodwill and an ample supply of grubs in late spring when he was rearing his brood, but after they fledged there was no sign of this cheeky li le chap. But he’s back! Si ing in the top of the tree warbling his li le chorus to show me he’s there. Then he swoops down to exhort me to uncover some livestock for him. Who’s the master here? Yes, you’re right, the robin.
It never ceases to amaze me at what turns up unexpectedly at our allotment gate. Last Sunday, with all my plans set for the morning, a large tip-up lorry loaded with wood chip arrived. These men had been removing some tall conifers in a nearby street and had run all the material through a large shredder. ‘Do you want these wood chips?’ they said. We’re gardeners, of course we want them! Soon there were many wheelbarrows in action moving the chippings to replenish our worn-out paths. Soon there was none and recycling was in action again.