Allotments
Blackboys Allotments - August 2020
We are considering joining the National Allotment Society - Details
Well what an unpredictable few months it has been! We had one of the wettest autumn/winter periods in history, which left the allotments under water and access to the footpaths very tricky. Spring then arrived along with Covid-19 but the weather took a turn for the better bringing plenty of sun and a good start to the growing year.
The allotments were a definite haven for a lot of us during “lockdown” and allowed us to spend more time with nature whilst socially distanced.
It has been so lovely to see so many new allotment holders joining our community and seeing all the hard work they are doing to transform their plots into havens of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.
It has been a successful summer for fruit and the apple trees are groaning with the weight of apples, as are the plums and pears. The plots are all looking amazing as the pictures taken at the beginning of this summer show and now comes the hard work of harvesting and enjoying the fruits of our labour!
We have embraced the feeling of community at the allotments and have started an Allotment Society and have now got lots of members, but more are always welcome. For more details please contact me on denisetaylor.77@gmail.com
Denise Taylor
ALLOTMENTS, BLACKBOYS
Check if there are vacant allotment plots - £25.00 per plot for the year. All enquiries to Ann Newton, Parish Clerk
Allotment Life!
Allotment Life in 2018
It was certainly a long hot summer at the Blackboys Allotments in 2018! With the hottest summer recorded in the UK, we all faced challenges with the drought following the wet start to the planting year, but it was certainly worth it as we have had bumper crops of fruit and vegetables.
The apple trees were heaving with crisp juicy apples (mine are being pressed into cider!) and we have shared our spoils of blackcurrants, raspberries and blackberries, to name a few. It is now the start of harvest time and we are either storing our rewards for the winter or enjoying the fresh fruit and vegetables with our dinner!
The Parish Council were also busy clearing plots ready for new tenants and we are really pleased to see lots of new faces. There are still a few available and it's a good time to take a plot, so you can get it ready for spring over the winter months. Digging in fresh manure now will prepare and improve the soil ready for your seeds and plants next year.
If you take on a plot in October 2018 you will be charged half of the annual rent until April 2019 (this will be ₤12.50 per plot - it is usually ₤25 per plot - per annum).
Please contact Ann Newton, Parish Clerk for more details. We hope to see you up the allotments soon!
Denise Taylor
News from earlier in 2018 ...
The vacant allotment plots have recently been cleared and are waiting to be claimed! ₤25.00 per plot for the year. All enquiries to Ann Newton, Parish Clerk
Spring has sprung at last and I have been busy planting my seedlings in the allotment again. This is my third year at the Blackboys allotment and I can honestly say it has been the best thing I have done for a long time. After a stressful day at work in the office I go to the allotment to enjoy the peace and quiet whilst putting my back into some digging.
I grew enough vegetables last year to feed my family and my friends and yes it is hard work but it is worth every minute (and every back ache!). It was hard work to fence our plots and cover the seedlings and young plants with netting to stop rabbits and pigeons feasting on the fresh young plants but it has paid dividends.
There is a lovely little community at the allotment and always someone to offer a wise word or share plants with (or just to chat to in the sunshine) so why not take on a fresh challenge this year and take on an allotment and start growing your own fresh vegetables and fruit which will taste better than anything you can buy in the shops.
Denise Taylor
If anyone is interested in an allotment please contact the Clerk.