ANYA VISEGORODCEVA

Anya Visegorodceva took on an allotment plot during lockdown, above; and planted a variety of produce like tomatoes, below

When Anya Visegorodceva and her boyfriend moved to Wivenhoe, Essex, they received several plants as house-warming gifts, such as lilies and jasmines.

Within weeks, though, the plants died. “I didn’t know how to look after them, and I was too busy

with other stuff,” admits Visegorodceva, who works at the University of Essex.

Nevertheless, three years ago, she signed up for a local allotment plot, forgot about it, and, a few weeks into the lockdown, was given one. Never previously a gardener, the

keen cook wanted to grow her own produce. Now working from home, she had time to kill.

“I had the choice of two plots, and I picked the smaller one, which was in a far better condition,” Visegorodceva explains.

She quickly set about planting rare varieties of potatoes, strawberries, beetroot, radishes, beans, gooseberries, cucumbers, tomatoes and more.

Friends have been a vital source of information and support, sending tips or books. Connecting with other like-minded individuals on social media has helped, too. Her boyfriend has been

“maybe four times”, but Visegorodceva visits every morning before work.

“It’s helped my mental health. In lockdown, when we couldn’t go anywhere, allotments were on the go-to list. Every morning I could get out of the house, water and weed the plants, and clear my head.”

The first winter is always a test, but Visegorodceva, 29, is determined to see it through, experimenting with seasonal plants like cabbages, purplesprouting broccoli and garlic. “It’s rewarding and exciting. It might be a placebo, but eating your own stuff tastes so much better.”