Spring blossom and an egg-box full of rusty nails definitely the beauty and the beast of a walk around the allotment site in April. Let’s start with the beauty. Early apples and cherry trees showing pinks and shades of white. Some trained along wires as espaliers, and others pruned to natural shape. As a Community orchard the pears, plums, cherries and apples produced are available to all plot holders on a ‘be fair and share’ basis.
So the beast is the rusty nails found when members of the committee are doing plot and communal area inspections. There have been pockets of the site around the Community Hut and parking area that have become littered with small debris. Plot holders need to take rubbish away with them. There is no council collection of ‘domestic’ or other waste from the site. Refuse tips remain closed so any non-compostable waste should be neatly retained on the allotment. Limited burning rules still apply.
Inspection of Plots
Formally once a year, and often in between, the Secretary and other members of the Committee will stroll around the Allotment site. It is a good opportunity to get to know more plot holders and what is growing. The allotment is bound by Salford Council rules for allotments. 75% of the plot should be cultivated for vegetables and fruit. There are also edible flowers too. Some have greenhouses or sheds, or both, and others may have hives or chickens too. So again beauty and the beast … well at least bees and hens.
Plots not attended
This year is different due to Covid-19. Some plot holders or members of their families have been put into vulnerable categories and are staying at home. Others are looking after and teaching their children at home as well as working at home. It has been difficult to get seeds, as ‘essential’ shops that are open have been selling out of items quickly with deliveries from abroad delayed or not happening. for those plots where it is clear that nothing is happening and they have not been in contact the Secretary will check they are OK and what is happening.
Keep safe and carry on!
Following safety guidelines about public vehicles and private vehicles it is possible for a plot holder to attend a plot. Walking and cycling is also allowed. Police powers to fine people have been granted this does not include going to your allotment plot. Daily exercise is recommended and this is somewhere plot holders can go to get exercise. Hands, face, space measures are in place.