NOTTINGHAM CITY ALLOTMENTS

When I was in Nottingham just before Christmas I spent a day in the city allotments. These plots of land were put aside during rationing in the second world war and rented out to people who had limited space in there own gardens to grow fruit and vegetable. The allotments were neglected for years as people found less time to tend to them and of course there is the easy availability of buying convenience food down at the supermarkets. Over the years the allotments matured into a wonderful nature reserve. These valuable plots of land were under threat of being developed, so local community organizations have moved in and taken over. One organization has taken over an area covering about two acres and planted up a community orchard. When the trees have matured a bit, anyone from the area will be able to go with their baskets and collect as many of the apples as they wish. Most of the trees will be laden with the types of apples that are grown for their taste, so the odd blemish on them is to be expected, at least they can be assured they haven’t been sprayed with any chemicals or fed with sugared water for sweetness.

Paul took me to his project that has been set up by the health authority, caring for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems. The area again covers about two acres and is split into ten totally different growing areas. Most areas have a large shed or greenhouse on the site left there by the old occupiers, so there’s no shortage of places to hide when the weather gets bad! Everything is recycled, old freezers have been used for growing spuds in and even old sun bed frames are used as an effective fence. There is a communal dumping area on the land where you can tip all your unwanted organic rubbish and you can guarantee whatever is put there will be used for something.

The local council also has a tree-recycling centre, they shred the wood and bark and deliver it free of charge to the allotments to be used as mulch.

The visit has certainly given me some good ideas to put into action now that I’m back home.

Horticultural.