So, on taking early retirement, I needed something to keep myself occupied – but what? As I have been a keen gardener prompted by my father-in-law, I dabbled growing vegetables in the garden but working shifts it was challenging. So, I went on the hunt for an allotment and found the Court Oak Allotments which, to be fair, I never knew existed tucked up behind the Co-op on Ridgeacre Road. After making enquiries, I was shown a few plots that where available, which all looked challenging, as the previous owner had given up and all the available plots were overgrown, so I picked the best of the bunch and set to work.
As I was working my way through, the previous owners had looked after the plot brilliantly. I found an asparagus plot, fruit bushes and trees, the soil was of good quality and only needed a bit of tidying up. The plots often look much worse than they are. I got to know my fellow allotmenteers and I have made some good friends. They are always full of advice (which I do need).
My first year was a bit sketchy because I took on the plot in June, which was a bit late to plant, so got ready for year two. That’s when the fun started, being a layman in the gardening world, I probably bought every seed pack in Wilkinson’s and planted the lot! Only to produce an explosion on a par with Jurassic Park lol!
Year three was more self-controlled following the advice of my mentors, Geoff, Ian and John, the established gardeners, and I successfully produced a variety of vegetables: sweetcorn, potatoes, beetroot, to name a few. I also had an explosion of tomatoes, with which I made a load of passata. I made a variety of soups – pumpkin, courgette and butternut squash – not forgetting fruit pies. I also dabbled in cider from the apple trees.
I have met some great people, so if you are up for a challenge with a lovely group, then pop down and say hello.
David Taylor
PLOT 23
