New 12 months, new plot, new soil. We have now been exiled now from the allotment website for six weeks or so. One other six weeks – we hope – to go. Locked out from working land in winter, from digging and planting. Simply being there. The backyard rituals and camaraderie that get us by.
I pine for the plot however we're at the moment persona non grata. A survey found asbestos on ours and one other close by allotment website. I think it's maybe not unusual in London. There have been council plans at first to construct raised beds however prices put paid to that.
In mid-November, planning permission was given for the plots to be lined with geotextile and half a metre of latest soil. The earth work now we have performed is now buried.
I stroll near the gate typically. I nearly press my face to the longer term. Every little thing we might save is sitting ready on the banks on the fringe of the plots. Tree and different treasured vegetation have been potted. Impatient on our return. Buildings have been packed away. Fruit cages now with out fruit. Poles ready for beans and peas.
In properties round north London, cuttings and saved seed sit quietly. There will probably be work to do to convey the brand new soil to life. To ask worms to return. Natural matter so as to add. At the very least, for now, it's winter.
I'm wondering in regards to the foxes, the feral cats, the owls, our robins and different birds. The place the opposite gardeners are. What plans they’re making for the brand new rising season. We have now uprooted fennel and verbena ready in Howard’s greenhouse. At the very least now we should completely type the seed.
New life will return. The brand new 12 months will see the return of previous and new allotmenteers. Heads filled with plans. Plot 29 will probably be rigorously unpacked. A lot-loved vegetation from earlier than will probably be re-homed. New plots and new planting. New life will return. Till then not less than, there may be final 12 months’s amaranth seed to type.
Allan Jenkins’s Plot 29 (4th Property, £9.99) is out now. Order it for £8.49 from guardianbookshop.com
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