A few photos of tomatoes and cucumbers harvested from the allotment - both doing very well, with the cucumbers so abundant I’m having to give them away to my very happy neighbours! I’ve laid straw beneath the toms to keep them off the damp soil, a simple practice I also use for strawberries. It also helps retain moisture, which has been a blessing during these heatwaves.
podcast episode
I’ve only had the plot for six months, so I’m very much a novice and treating this first year as a learning experience. The other plot holders have been marvellous and genuinely supportive. It’s a wonderful community to be part of.
Rarely are my cucumbers this straight; more often than not they come out curly. One I picked this morning, for example, was practically circular! They all taste the same, though - delicious!
Ready to take home. Once home, the stalks from the toms come off, and they go straight onto a plate, stalk side down. They never last long enough to even consider long-term storage! Of course, I understand that not everyone has access to fresh fruit and veg, but I can’t really describe the difference in taste between grow‑your‑own and shop‑bought. Suffice to say, it's night and day with next to no footprint.
Although having an allotment is both time‑consuming and, at times, pretty hard work, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. There’s always something to be done, and I’ve found it’s almost impossible to just “pop up” to the plot as there are always other jobs in need of your attention. Aside from the labour, during this particularly busy period of producing the Elmley book and running my photography workshops, it’s been an absolute godsend. It keeps my head together and gives me spells of forgetfulness and quiet, mindful relaxation. And from speaking to other holders, that’s part of the reason they do it too.
