This month our ‘plotlight’ shines on Jon, who has been enjoying his allotment at St Margaret’s for 7 or 8 years. His adorable dog Popps is a frequent helper. Be sure to read about his recent ‘find’ of a King George III coin on his plot in the NEWS section of this issue, and have a stroll past plot 22 to appreciate Jon’s hard work and gardening acumen.
What’s your earliest gardening memory?
My Grandfather had a section of his garden that was dedicated to growing vegetables and fruits, and I’d often help with small jobs here and there. He was very proud of his leeks and used to ‘show’ them at local competitions. One memory that stands out because of that is the smell of the fish/bone meal concoction you feed them!
What does a perfect day on the allotment look like to you?
It’s sunny but not schorchio! And I have l plenty of sandwiches and refreshments.
What is a piece of ‘traditional’ gardening advice that you think is completely wrong?
Most of it! Nothings ever gone to plan like the reader’s digest said it would!
What did this past year teach you about your local climate or soil?
I’ve heard the wine belt is moving up, so here come the grape vines!! Also, my soils pretty poor in quality so I need to work on that.
What’s the most stubborn problem you’re tackling right now?
The heat, vine weeds, red ants are everywhere!!
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made?
Over cultivating the soil. This has probably led to low yields in some of my beds,
What’s been the biggest success?
Spring Onions! They are mighty and in abundance, it’s probably the only thing that has done well except the nettles!
What’s your favourite crop/plant to grow and why?
Tomatoes/chillis. Though mainly everything I grow as its very much a kitchen/garden/allotment.
How do you strike a balance between encouraging wildlife and protecting your edible crops?
Apart from nets, I’ve given up and no longer grow things the badgers or deer will eat.
How has managing this plot helped your mental or physical health?
Immensely, especially during covid. It’s like a mini oasis and my neighbours are great!
Describe the best view or moment you’ve experienced on your plot this year?
Every opportunity I was able to spend there with my dog Popps.
What’s the best advice a seasoned plot-holder has given you?
Sadly ‘Dave’ hasn’t been with us for a while, though he shared a plot somewhere near the communal plot for many years. His advice was you need to get rid of those trees around the communal area!
If you had to rely only on your plot for food, which crop would be your lifeline?
I wouldn’t last very long the way this summer has gone! LOL. Potatoes and rape seed so I could at least fry up some chips!
How are you adapting your growing techniques to handle extreme weather like floods or droughts?
The tomatoes I was able to drag outside! My greenhouse often reached temps of 45 degrees! This summer was uncanny and if this is the new norm then we’ll all have to rethink what it is we can do. I’ve always wanted some successful citrus trees!
What’s your ‘secret weapon’ tool that you couldn’t live without?
Any tool that saves my back! LOL
What’s the biggest ‘gardening disaster’ you’ve had, and what did it teach you?
Anything I’ve grown near to fruition then had it destroyed by the badgers! Corn & Carrots, two things I’d never grow again without investing in security!
What’s your number one tip?
Keep calm and plot on! 😊