Here We Grow

Quite honestly if I had said to my 30 year old self that I would be considering an allotment I would have had a "word" with myself!

We have dabbled in the garden with growing vegetable's, tomatoes, lettuces and the like with some greater successes than others. I'm a bit of a chuck it in and see what happens kind of gardener but oh not the OH he is a little more meticulous than that and unlike me does take on board what Monty has to say on a Friday evening. I find it quite distressing when he starts cutting things back to encourage new growth, it looks like total annihilation to me. I kind of like the let it do what it likes look, but he is usually right.

So back in January a little seed started to germinate in my head (pardon the pun) about having an allotment. The thought of growing our own vegetable's organically seemed appealing. On making enquiries there a quite a few rules and regulations to having an allotment. I couldn't be on the list for one in my local town as you have to be a resident in the area so it became clear it would have to be in the village where we live. I emailed the parish council to be told there are two local to me, one that is established and had a waiting list BUT there is a brand new allotment planned for the top of the village where a new housing development has been built. This would be allocated on a first come basis.  I may have contacted *harassed* the parish council lady a lot, asking questions on what the criteria would be for allocation, what was happening, they were waiting to sign the land over. Then lo and behold last week there was an email to arrange to meet that day at 5.30pm up at the allotment. The land had been signed over and ready for allocation. I was beyond excited.

A small group gathered up at the brand spanking new allotment to choose our plot. A full plot was huge! and too much of an undertaking for a newbie were my thoughts. People staked their claim whilst I was pondering. Whilst the council lady signed people up and marked on the map the plot that they wanted I was still pondering. She then said the part on the other side near to the car park was also available, I claimed that. Now I don't know if I've dropped a bollock here as a week down the line and a few YouTube video's later.....I know, I know, I should have done my homework prior. Maybe I should have checked where the sun rose and set as the back of my bit has tree's which is quite shady.

Quite quickly we've formed a little community, a Facebook and WhatsApp group has been set up. As it's a new allotment we are all in the same boat as new allotment owners, there is none already established and refreshingly a lot of young couples. The guys hinting that it will be the equivalent of a man cave and standing stroking their chins wondering where to start. I must admit I've been up there most evenings to plan what I'm going to do and put what where, but it seems quite daunting too.

Now way back in January when the thought first came to me about having an allotment, somehow despite being told about the waiting lists and the slim likelihood of  having a cat in hells chance of getting one any time in the next few years I had popped in my Amazon basket A Guide To Allotments Handbook. I chatted to anyone I knew that I was getting an allotment. I just knew with every thing in me that it would be a reality soon. Having a conversation some time in February with a lady a throwaway statement of when you get your allotment let me know I may have some bits and pieces that maybe useful. 

The lady texted me in April to ask if I'd heard anything about the allotment yet to which I replied unfortunately no I hadn't. So when I'd had the meet up, signed on the dotted line I texted her to say yes I got my allotment! She asked if I could meet her at the house she is selling to see if there was anything of any use. And right at the bottom of the garden was the magic, practically just about everything needed to set mine up. What first seemed very daunting now seems very doable. 

It is going to be hard graft, especially initially but what I may lack in knowledge there is no shortage of enthusiasm, an allotment guide book, YouTube tutorials to watch and a picking of others brains. I'm pretty sure my OH will have lots of input too, even if it is to reign in my impulsiveness, he's much more of a Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance advocate. 

So this weekend the work begins. Magic, manifestation or luck, all I know is I asked the universe and boy did it provide.

I'll keep the little seed of a camper van in my head....well just for now.

Sha x