On the plot with…

How long have you had a plot at Thingwall Road Allotment Association for?

I’ve had a plot on TRAA for three years. I took on a plot that floods in winter and it was overgrown when I first set eyes on it. But I have loved it from day one.  

What’s your favourite time of day to visit the plot?

I work full time so that kind of dictates when I am available to come to the plot. But I love coming down in the evening after work. It’s very peaceful and considering it’s next to a very busy road, you cannot hear any traffic and the only sounds are the birdsong in the trees. 

What is your growing style?

I tend to grow from seed, as it’s much cheaper in the long run, and you have a wider variety of plants to choose from.

Which is your favourite fruit or veg to grow and why?

My favourite thing to grow is tomatoes. My wife is Spanish, and if the tomato supply in our house drops below a certain level, she becomes a little anxious! Growing lots of tomatoes ensures domestic harmony in the household. I love the huge variety of tomatoes available. They come in every shape, size and colour and the smell of the plants, the vibrant colours and satisfaction of picking fresh tomatoes gives me a sense of joy. 

What has been the biggest challenge that you’ve faced so far?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced has been dealing with flooding on my allotment. When I first took it on, it had been neglected for years, was heavily overgrown and sat lower than the surrounding plots. Rather than fighting against it, I have a long-term plan and tackled the plot section by section. Over three years I’ve raised the ground level using layers of cardboard, manure, and wood chip, then built raised beds on top. The wood chip acts like a giant sponge, absorbing excess water during wet periods and slowly releases it back into the soil during dry spells. Plus it eventually breaks down into compost for the raised beds. 

What has been your biggest allotment triumph so far?

Being self sufficient in onions and garlic and not having to buy from the shops.

What would you say to someone who is considering getting an allotment?

I’d say two things. First, be prepared for some hard work. And when I say hard work I mean the kind that makes you wonder why you are voluntarily spending your weekends moving wheelbarrows full of compost and wood chip. Getting the plot into a productive growing space takes time, effort and plenty of elbow grease. But having said that, it is very rewarding seeing a neglected patch of ground being transformed into a thriving allotment. My biggest piece of advice is to have a plan. Measure your plot, draw it out and decide what you want to grow and where. Stick to the plan as much as possible.

Secondly, grow what you actually enjoy eating. The joy of eating something you have nurtured from seed to harvest can’t be replicated in the supermarket, and the taste is fantastic too!

Do you have a favourite allotment story or memory at TRAA to share?

It’s probably a collection of memories. I’ll never forget seeing my kids harvest their first onion and garlic – it was pure excitement for them to harvest something they had planted and cared for, then being able to pull it from the ground. Similarly, was watching their delight at all the wildlife the allotment attracts. Frogs, birds and insects have really helped them connect with nature. 

Some of the happiest memories I have at the plot are simply the weekends watching the kids develop their sense of wonder, learning where food comes from and growing it themselves. It makes all the weeding and hard work worthwhile.