It seemed like a good idea at the time - turning a disused corner of the 9.5-acre city centre site into small plots which could be used on an annual basis for people who wanted to learn about allotmenting without committing to a full-sized plot. A sort of grounding for beginners. An area of learning where mistakes could be made but where support would be offered and new adventures secured for those who wanted to 'try' to grow but who would be safely nurtured along the way in the safe hands of The Potty Plotters.
Through months of wallowing in mud, shovelling stones and clearing years' worth of thick brambles and rubbish, the hard slog paid off. As the site volunteers grappled with the weather and all that goes with winter projects, in May 2019 the beautifully manicured six small plots (each measuring 3 x 7m/10 x 23ft) were levelled, paved, dug over, fenced off and each allocated their own tool shed containing essential tools too. A perfect place for would-be allotmenteers to 'have a go' at growing their own (looking very telly gardening programme like') with not a weed in sight and literally 'good to grow'.
The Potty Plotters introduced the starter plotters to growing plants from seeds in the Growing Academy - a community polytunnel on site which was turned into a classroom arena each weekend for two hours to teach all the basics, including planning, pricking out and protection of plants on the plots. A new experience for the starters but which The Potty Plotters hoped would be a sound investment of their time.
Of course, it paid off! All five plotters remained on the plots for their allocated 12 months and as the year ended on the starter plots each was offered plots on the main site and, like many a good telly programme, we thought it was perhaps time to find out what happened next.
PLENTIFUL PRODUCE
This story is from the August 2023 edition of Kitchen Garden.
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This story is from the August 2023 edition of Kitchen Garden.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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