Last month we told you about the Transition Stour Valley group and explained what Transition is. Now we’d like to let you know what some of it’s members have been doing to help them on their Transition journey. Two members where very interested in all aspects of food; the growing of, where it comes from and how local it is and of course eating it. The two mums decided that between them they would take on an allotment and here’s how they got on.
We acquired our allotment in October 2009. It had been an allotment for many years but for the last 4 had been rented out as a paddock. The soil, therefore, was good but compacted by horses and covered with grass, thistles and stinging nettles. We were very excited and agreed to take on two adjoining plots between us.
Our challenges were many, one being a lack of vegetable growing experience, but we made up for it with enthusiasm. Other challenges became apparent as we went along, the first being rabbits and the lack of fencing around our plot. Then there was our dislike for digging, but we had a clear plan for the site and did not wish to rotavate so we just got stuck in with lots of hot baths to follow for aching muscles. Lastly there was the weather, with two harsh winters and two very dry springs and no guttering on the shed! When you have an allotment you become very aware of the weather and three months without rain was very apparent.
We had a good idea of what we wanted from our allotment having done a one day permaculture course (
www.permaculture.org.uk). This is based on the principles of observation and working with what you have already, which for us was not a lot. But we did have a good north-south aspect, rich sandy loam soil, nettles, which are a good source of nutrients and an indicator of nitrogen in the soil, and clover, a nitrogen provider and very attractive to bees.
We wanted it to be natural and diverse as possible working with nature and not against it, so organic and using crop rotation and companion planting. Once the initial digging was done we wanted to dig no more so the intention is to mulch every year with organic matter and just add to the structure and richness of the soil. A compost heap was a must to provide the organic matter, two large ones for general material, one for horse manure and one for leaf mould. We wanted it to be attractive with flowers as well as fruit and vegetables, to look at and to be good for the beneficial insects that pollinate, like bees and the good ones that eat the bad ones, such as ladybirds and hoverflies!
We started off by planting dwarf fruit trees and soft fruit bushes to one side of our two plots, then on the other we marked out and dug a pond, vegetable beds facing south to maximise the sun and a log pile for insects. We worked out a three year rotation to keep it simple, planting salad crops in between. We’ve had some great crops of dwarf beans, early potatoes, strawberries and of course courgettes, and some disasters, mostly caused by birds, drought and pests. We know though that we can sort these problems out in time. Much of the solution lies in developing a good soil so the plants are strong and can battle the pests and drought on there own and this is where the compost making comes in. Things like birds are dealt with using nets, not attractive but a necessity.
It is a good green way of keeping fit and very rewarding to go home with your own produce to cook for the family. It’s been hard work starting from scratch but worth it and we can be deservedly proud of our achievements. And it seems that nature has approved our endeavours to keep things organic as our plots have since been colonized by frogs, bees, and all kinds of insects, as well as mice and a big fat pigeon! It is nice to feel that our work is also contributing to redress the balance of nature and feed the family too.
Next month we’ll be hearing from another member who will discuss the theme of local food.
Transition Stour Valley Team
ingredients… we had a wonderful turnout at the stall today – public and TSV volunteers. About 30 people signed up to receive the newsletter and to get involved in local transition. We were pleasantly surprised by the openness to Transition ideas and the eagerness people expressed to get involved. Look out because the website was pretty well revamped today and new committment to making sure that events and a new approach to membership will be to sign people up to the Newsletter via emailinghello@transitionvalley.com. A BIG THANKYOU for all the support from the Manningtree Co-operative towards the Community Garden.
I confess to only managing the final stage of the allotment cycle due to childcare arrangements, however arriving at the Hungerdown Lane allotment in the late evening sunshine on our bicycles, sharing homemade squash and fresh ginger soup, followed by homemade strawberries and cream, as well as watching the late evening light glide through the rich tapestry of fruits, vegetables, bathtubs, flowers and people. It was a delight!
