The HRG Allotment From the beginning

On Monday 10th October 2016 I got a very exciting phone call, telling me that after 2.5 years on the waiting list, I was being offered an allotment. I had already turned down 2 offers due to being too far away, this was a smaller plot, 1/3 approximately, but its a start, and just around the corner, I jumped at the chance. So on 12th I went to see it and signed the paperwork. It was all mine. So here it is

View from the site entrance.

Up towards the gate. The communal shed on the right marks the edge of my plot

View down the middle of plot and up each side. As you can see Its a wee bit overgrown. Although I prefer the term once loved. The allotment came with a little history of the plot. The Lady (R) from whom i took over the allotment had had it almost 30 years. Originally to use with her then young family, she then used it in conjunction with her job, caring for mentally ill men. Her career progressed along with her family, granchildren coming to live with her, and so using it with the next generation. Her involvement in the local community and politics lead to her being the Lord Mayor of the city, when she roped some of the liverymen in to help keep it under control. And finally as time and age progresses, illness means she has finally had to admit after years of struggling she had to give it up, and so it passes to me. R, I hope I can do you proud.

The plot comes with fruit. Lots and lots of it. Raspberries upon raspberries, Black currents, Red currents, White currents, Gooseberries(front of the second picture). I hate to say it but i hate gooseberries, although there is a cooker that i may keep for pectin, already palmed some off onto my uncle, also i'll leave 1 or 2 in there as they are under the shade of the apple tree and its going to be an awkward spot to fill otherwise.

The overgrown apple tree, and gooseberries in the front of the plot.

Under here somewhere is black currents and red currents, apparently. And lets not mention whats smothering it. My personal nemesis.

So a lot of clearing to do. James and I have started, firstly defining the plot, and taking out any obvious issues. I can now tell you the plot is 12.5m long and tapering between 8.3m and 6.2m wide. We have a large old apple tree, its just the wrong tree in the wrong place because it is on the south aspect of the plot, meaning it casts a lot of shade. Too late to do anything about that now other than work with what i've got. It is a gorgeous tree with a very gracefull habit and good apples, so I'm having a tree surgeon friend get to work on it. We're going to lower the canopy to encourage the shape it is naturally taking, and help give more light.

Lots of clearing to do. Over the next few weeks ill share my plans with you, and update as things progress.

Happy digging x