Take time out from all the work to talk to your neighbours - you never know what you might learn. Besides, it's just nice to get to know new people.
20.07.10
Having an allotment is more than just growing food for yourself, it is about connecting with a variety of people in your area. Much like your family, you cannot choose your allotment neighbours but you are united by a common interest and it is in your interest to get along with them as it makes life much more pleasant. Whether it is advice, help with the watering or free plants there are great benefits of building relationships with your fellow allotmenteers.
Within just four months I have received spinach, peppers, curly kale, Spanish onion plants, runner beans, Jerusalem artichokes, a fabulous metal rod for holding my hose, help with carrying scaffolding boards and eaten some wonderful broad beans, spring greens and cima di rapa (a fast growing sprouting broccoli type of plant). These last 4 days we have had winds of over 45km per hour and my immediate neighbour has kindly helped piece together my runner bean framework. I've also had a convivial drink and a chat with a few others along the way.
This generosity of spirit spreads around – some seeds here, tomato plants there or the offer of a building job is offered in return. Even non-allotmenteers start to benefit as the gluts become so great that the freezer and belly is full of chard, tomato or courgette.
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