Growing 'a Bit of Home'

The latest featured plot holder is a relative newcomer to the site, Flora Nica, plot 14 who has turned an overgrown, unkempt area of allotment into a hugely welcoming space, inspired by memories of home. A big thank you to Flora who shared the pictures of the site in it's original state, which bears absolutely no comparison with how it looks today, and for providing the words for this article.

As a child in Romania I used to help my parents in the garden almost every day after school from early spring until late autumn. I have so many happy memories of eating juicy strawberries and cherry tomatoes right there in the garden while spending time with my family. So having an allotment has been on my wish list for a while because it means that I could “grow” a bit of home here in UK. As the first lockdown was beginning in March 2020 and I was working only part time, I decided that it was just the right time for me to pursue my dream and apply for an allotment. I did my research about location, parking and other facilities and Melbourne Park just stood out to me.

I applied online for a plot and prepared myself for a long wait. But surprisingly only few months later I got an email about an available plot at Melbourne Park that could be mine if I didn't mind it being “a little bit overgrown”. I was so excited that I went to see the plot the very same day. Although the plot was badly overgrown I really liked it and soon after I became the lucky tenant of Plot 14 😊



On 1st of July 2020 I started clearing the plot. It was really overgrown, had a dead tree that needed removing and there was a lot of rotten wood left behind by the previous tenants. I did sometimes asked myself: “what have I done?” But every small patch that I cleared just kept me motivated to do better the next day. Amongst the weeds I found raspberry canes, rhubarb and a blueberry bush which I jokingly call my “inheritance”.



It has taken a lot of hard work to bring the plot where it is now but it was all worth it. My husband helped me build a pretty shed that I call my happy place and I also have a small tool shed that I have built myself from reclaimed wood.



I have enjoyed every single day spent at the allotment so far and it has kept me sane through these scary and uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The allotment itself has been exactly what I was hoping for but I was pleasantly surprised to discover an amazing sense of community that I wasn’t expecting on such a large site. I felt welcome from the beginning and everyone has been so helpful and kind. Many of my allotment neighbours gave me lovely fruit and veg from their plots which made me feel very happy and grateful.

I love the on site little shop, Karen and Tony are doing an amazing job offering for sale almost everything you could ever need for your allotment at very reasonable prices and even the manure deliveries are so generous(my first one will last me for many years to come).



I couldn’t grow much last year but I have great plans for this year. I have prepared the soil and I am going to use a crop rotation system to grow potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, cabbages, lettuce, carrots, strawberries, sprouts and lots of fresh herbs and flowers. I can’t wait to see what will grow best.

I look forward to spending many happy days working hard and enjoying lots of delicious fruit and veg and I also hope that 2021 will be a much happier and more normal year for all of us.