19 Aug 2018 - The Plot Thickens

Back in the UK, I realised that the only person dooming me to failure was myself before I even got started. I contacted the local Parish Council Clerk to enquire if their were any allotment plots left in the Village. Can you believe I didn't get a response immediately! Being ever so impatient (which is going to prove interesting when grow stuff) I made Si wander around the two allotments in Whimple. There definately looked like vacancies but it wasn't until the next morning (Sunday 19th August) that it was confirmed by email that there were 4 plots at the top of Grove Road with each plot measuring 5 metres by 14 metres.

Now this is going to sound slightly ridiculous, considering I'd never had a plot before, but I decided one plot wasn't going to be enough! Si suggested that I start with one and see how I got on but my fear is that the remaining plots would go and it would therefore be best to see if there were two next to each other. It there were it would be an omen. I opened the plan attachment and number 11 and 13 nestled side by side and were free. Without finishing my espresso I completed the application form and hand delivered it to the Parish Council Clerk. As of that moment I was the proud new tenant of not one but two allotment plots!!! Off I trot to my new sanctuary and to take a closer look at how much work was needed to remove the docks and weeds and to generally have a panic attack.

As anyone who knows me will confirm, I did quite a bit of research, plotting and planning whilst I was twiddling my thumbs waiting to find out if there was availability. I knew one plot wouldn't be enough because I wanted to grow fruit as well as veg and half permanent beds for asparagus and rhubarb. Then there's the compost bins, water butts, shed, greenhouse, coldframes...Yikes! The happiness I feel about this project is overwhelming. So much so that I decided to start a Blog so I can capture my highs and lows as I progress.

That afternoon I plucked up my courage and a fork and spade and headed back to my allotment to make a start. This is quite a scary prospect when you have a bit of a fear of new situations but I took strength from my solo flights to Toulouse and back and pulled up my big girl pants and got going.

There were people, fellow allotment neighbours and every single one took time to come and chat to me. What a revelation in humanity. They all told me the soil was good once you got passed the back breaking initial work and welcomed me with open trowels.

I decided to set to work in the back left corner as that is where I want the compost heap to go. I also wanted to cut back the hedgerow which probably encroaches by 2 metres. 1 1/2 hours later I had managed to clear a patch 2m by 3m, cut back the hedgerow and discovered I have sloes and (crab I think) apples growing in my hedge. My first session was done and I felt content beyond words.