There have been times when I’ve walked through the allotment gate and felt completely overwhelmed. The paths had disappeared beneath long grass. Weeds had taken hold in beds that were once productive. Seed packets sat untouched in the shed, and jobs seemed to multiply every time I looked around. Standing there, it was easy to…
When people picture an allotment, they often imagine neat rows of vegetables, baskets of fresh produce and peaceful afternoons spent pottering among the plants. The reality can be very different. Many allotment holders experience periods of overwhelm, yet it is rarely talked about. Social media and gardening magazines tend to focus on the successes, but…
The rush of spring is over. The allotment, once bursting with urgent tasks and sprouting life, now seems to exhale. It’s mid-summer. The beds are almost full, the weeds are incredibly persistent, and the heat, it seems, is quite consistent. This is the part of the year I call the lull. Not quite harvest, not…