2021 WILL be GREAT
21st March 2021
In: Features
2021 will be great !!
Last year was great. So much time and brilliant weather. The only retreat in lockdown. Somewhere to go,a routine, sharing ideas and learning from others. My allottment was an escape ! A sanctuary and a place to reflect. I’m sure my wife also appreciated me taking a flask, giving her space and going off to work the land with a purpose. We all needed space and of course there was always the news to take home.
What was growing well and what had failed . What had to be eaten, frozen, given away or thrown ! She of course found it fascinating...sometimes !! It seems so long ago now ! My fellow allottment holders shared their knowledge and I planted and harvested so much, far more than my family and neighbours at home ever needed. Everywhere was tidy. At the end of the season all was organised for the coming year, every weed removed, all beds dug and manure spread. Seeds have been bought and where to plant everything has been considered.
My target for this year is simple ..
Can I have a similar and productive allottment post lockdown when life returns with all its other demands and interests? Instead of daily visits can I come down 2/3 times a week ( unless there is a drought ! Again ! ) and not only work hard but take the time to relax and enjoy the plot?
To achieve this I’ve prepared everything in advance.
Potatoes are chitting in the polytunnel. Compost is organised. Beds for each crop have been considered. Canes and supports are in now. Land not manured have been dug and raked. All weeds, well most, have been removed.
I intend to cover some areas with sheeting,to plant squashes, marrows and courgettes. These will be in different areas to last year. The general organisation of last year will be repeated, saving time by just getting on with it. I loved companion planting, marigolds, sunflowers, and nasturtiums. Good for the plot,and wildlife but also more colourful. Something to look at when there is time to sit and enjoy a mug of tea.
In one poly tunnel I will plant varieties of chillies. This was my most successful crop to my surprise last year. So many picked,eaten or frozen whole and still being used. A friend took lots of them and made chilli jam. Wonderful ! My other poly tunnel will once again have varieties of tomatoes. Everything is ready now. I’m trying to sort things out now rather than March where the focus will be on planting and hoeing !! The last job after every visit will be to hoe all 3 allotments - 20 minutes. Those weeds will not be allowed to win !! I will ensure that I space crops out to support this.
I’d like to plant even more potatoes, another 2 rows and we wouldn't buy any from the shops ! I’ve learnt at last how to grow Brussels properly, I will repeat what I’ve learnt. Everything will be labelled so I can remember what I’ve enjoyed and what I’ve planted ! All this advice was given to me last year. In addition and finally, every time I think I want to plant something, I will make myself wait a week and take my time. Planting successfully saves time and money.
2021 will be a good year for so many reasons. What worked last year may not be as successful again but I look forward to that first asparagus crop, Pentland potatoes , and broad Beans. I can’t wait !
The Association is once again thankful to Kevin for sharing his thoughts on how he got along last year, together with his plans for this. In addition, Kevin was nominated along with Peter Caffrey as the Best Plots in the Annual competition last year. Peter has also kindly agreed to share his thoughts with us, look out for this in future posts.
We remain grateful to everyone who has contributed articles for the website, and if you would like to take part and share your views with us, please get in touch via the website or through Ray and Karen on site. We'd be delighted to share your growing plans, pains, and equally successes!
Last year was great. So much time and brilliant weather. The only retreat in lockdown. Somewhere to go,a routine, sharing ideas and learning from others. My allottment was an escape ! A sanctuary and a place to reflect. I’m sure my wife also appreciated me taking a flask, giving her space and going off to work the land with a purpose. We all needed space and of course there was always the news to take home.
What was growing well and what had failed . What had to be eaten, frozen, given away or thrown ! She of course found it fascinating...sometimes !! It seems so long ago now ! My fellow allottment holders shared their knowledge and I planted and harvested so much, far more than my family and neighbours at home ever needed. Everywhere was tidy. At the end of the season all was organised for the coming year, every weed removed, all beds dug and manure spread. Seeds have been bought and where to plant everything has been considered.
My target for this year is simple ..
Can I have a similar and productive allottment post lockdown when life returns with all its other demands and interests? Instead of daily visits can I come down 2/3 times a week ( unless there is a drought ! Again ! ) and not only work hard but take the time to relax and enjoy the plot?
To achieve this I’ve prepared everything in advance.
Potatoes are chitting in the polytunnel. Compost is organised. Beds for each crop have been considered. Canes and supports are in now. Land not manured have been dug and raked. All weeds, well most, have been removed.
I intend to cover some areas with sheeting,to plant squashes, marrows and courgettes. These will be in different areas to last year. The general organisation of last year will be repeated, saving time by just getting on with it. I loved companion planting, marigolds, sunflowers, and nasturtiums. Good for the plot,and wildlife but also more colourful. Something to look at when there is time to sit and enjoy a mug of tea.
In one poly tunnel I will plant varieties of chillies. This was my most successful crop to my surprise last year. So many picked,eaten or frozen whole and still being used. A friend took lots of them and made chilli jam. Wonderful ! My other poly tunnel will once again have varieties of tomatoes. Everything is ready now. I’m trying to sort things out now rather than March where the focus will be on planting and hoeing !! The last job after every visit will be to hoe all 3 allotments - 20 minutes. Those weeds will not be allowed to win !! I will ensure that I space crops out to support this.
I’d like to plant even more potatoes, another 2 rows and we wouldn't buy any from the shops ! I’ve learnt at last how to grow Brussels properly, I will repeat what I’ve learnt. Everything will be labelled so I can remember what I’ve enjoyed and what I’ve planted ! All this advice was given to me last year. In addition and finally, every time I think I want to plant something, I will make myself wait a week and take my time. Planting successfully saves time and money.
2021 will be a good year for so many reasons. What worked last year may not be as successful again but I look forward to that first asparagus crop, Pentland potatoes , and broad Beans. I can’t wait !
The Association is once again thankful to Kevin for sharing his thoughts on how he got along last year, together with his plans for this. In addition, Kevin was nominated along with Peter Caffrey as the Best Plots in the Annual competition last year. Peter has also kindly agreed to share his thoughts with us, look out for this in future posts.
We remain grateful to everyone who has contributed articles for the website, and if you would like to take part and share your views with us, please get in touch via the website or through Ray and Karen on site. We'd be delighted to share your growing plans, pains, and equally successes!