Words by Peter Adams
In recent years, allotments have seen a very real and significant revival, driven by people wanting to know where their food has come from and gaining the benefits of growing your own.
In 2012, we recognised this resurgence here at RHS Rosemoor and noticed that people were taking on plots armed with little knowledge, but loads of enthusiasm. In response to this, we created Rosemoor’s Community allotment course. With 10 small newly created allotment plots and a shed full of tools, we set about recruiting 10 novice veg growers to join us on a 10-month adventure of learning, using our expert knowledge here at Rosemoor to guide them along the way.
Little did we know that back then that 7 allotment groups later, our course would grow into such a success. We have seen over 70 individuals go away with new found knowledge, confidence and passion for growing their own food.
Just like every other vegetable patch at this time of year, our allotment keepers find themselves inundated with gluts of produce; classics include runner beans, broad beans and courgettes. Whenever there is an abundance of produce, the hot topic of conversation among the allotment keepers is what to do with it all, while making the most of it. Very quickly someone will share a new recipe they have found to help ease the glut and they soon become surrounded by fellow allotment keepers all frantically scribbling down this new-found recipe: favourite discoveries have been courgette cake and broad bean fritters.
Summer seems a strange time to be thinking about winter down on the allotment plot where everything is in full growth and cropping hard, but now is the time to get out there to sow and plant for winter cropping. Brussels sprouts, winter cabbages, purple sprouting broccoli and kale all make really good crops for harvesting during the winter months for a taste of your own, homegrown produce during the long months of Winter.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor