Welcome Back to the Plot

You may recall the BBC covering our programme to buddy up plot volunteers with plot holders who had to self-isolate, were shielded, or classed as vulnerable during the Covid 19 crisis. We had some half dozen plots being maintained and I took over my neighbour’s plot whilst she was locked down.

Click to read and view first blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/lottie-is-going-to-be-star-on-allotment.html

Click to read and view second blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/youre-on-allotment-tv-tomorrow-lottie.html

Now some 16 weeks later and Anna has returned, and we met up once again.

Anna was like a child in a sweetshop with her eyes darting from one plant to another examining everything on the plot and she was very pleased it wasn’t a jungle. Opening the shed which had also been in isolation took up new meaning and watching her once again become reunited with its contents was a joy.

It’s the first time in all these weeks she has ventured onto public transport or even very far out of the house. She still has yet to visit a supermarket and she is alert but safe. You can see the spring in her heels as she takes it all in.

She now plans to come a couple of times a week to ease herself back and maybe it may take some time but the plot will be looked after irrespective and even while I am away, cover has been arranged for both plots.

The one aspect I never realised at the beginning was the amount of watering and weeding two plots take.

Anna left with a broad smile and a big bag of produce.

‘What do I do with these flying saucers?’ she asked holding out some big yellow patti pans that I had picked for her.

I reply, ‘Eat them like courgettes. Slice them, cube them, grill them or steam them. They are lovely.’

‘Ok ’ she said still looking at them rather quizzically.

Lottie was pleased to see her and acknowledged her with a wagging tail and a nuzzle and she passed the sniff test. When she had left he said, ‘Nice to have her back. There’s always cake when she’s around.’

‘Did I miss the cake?’ Lottie asks.

‘No, it was just a short visit and it’s cake and a cuppa tea next time’ I responded.

‘I don’t drink tea’ she replied and flopped down disappointingly onto her cushions on the bench.

As folk start to come back onto the plots you meet old friends and although it’s just a few months, it’s different and great to meet up again. They certainly appreciate the work their buddies and that they are returning to a maintained plot since they have been away.

Next week sees the return of our Secretary who despite being in isolation a couple of hundred miles away , she has done a fantastic job managing many issues, the exploding waiting list and sorting out the National Society’s Kings Seeds process and insurance cover. Just need our Site Manager back and I can start to relax!

Sharing and Swapping Plants and Seeds

Every now and again you come across someone who not only goes that extra mile but does it with a smile and performs it perfectly.

Our Seed Swap had to be cancelled due to the current virus, so seeds went into the boxes on the gates and were replenished on a regular basis. The seeds were as varied as any collection and anyone wanting to grow something different was given the opportunity to do so. Who says they can’t get seeds today?

This year we have our brand-new community greenhouse which primarily was to provide a consistent flow of plants to our remote allotment at the new Crossrail Station gardens at Canary Wharf. Whilst the stores were working normally it was fully kitted out with bags of compost, manure, seed trays etc Obviously, the Canary Wharf allotment is now subject to strict controls which we are working under with the Canary Wharf Group and whilst this goes on we have more plants ready that we now need to share among our plot holders.

I asked today just how many plants we were giving away to plot holders and was staggered when i was told about 400! Tomatoes, beetroot, mange tout, strawberries, kale, spring cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, raspberry canes etc. Some are already given away and on the plots, some ready today others will be available in the coming weeks. The quality is very good, and novices and experts can all benefit.

As Chair I am so proud of the work and dedication shown and the tremendous effort of what is a very small team who selflessly think of others before themselves. This year we are going to all enjoy a bumper harvest and maybe one or two things we never thought we would be growing!

Our Site Manager is in isolation for the lock down, but his plot like a number of others in a similar position has been dug over prepared, It will now be stocked with plants and even maintained by a buddy plot holder for when he returns. It is important that we work as a community and look after those who are restricted today and give them something to look forward to later this year.

Its uplifting to see the allotment community spirit and people thinking and looking after others.