After a long winter, our Martlets allotment is starting to spring into life! Jane Newman, Martlets’ allotment coordinator, gives us an update on what’s happening at Plot 98.
“On our Martlets allotment at the Weald Avenue site, the dull drizzle is giving way to sunshine as we head towards the end of winter and begin to witness the first stirrings of spring. Longer days are slowly getting warmer and are brightened up with snowdrops, hellebores and daffodils coming to life. Garlic and onions planted in the autumn are showing shoots and lovely pink rhubarb leaves are beginning to unfurl.
Our Martlets’ Allotment covered in light snow
Often people ask if there is much to do at an allotment over winter. You’d be surprised, there’s been plenty to keep us busy and we’ve been preparing for the coming growing season too.
We’ve improved privacy around our seated areas and more seating is being added, as well as another water butt. Manure is probably not something you’d get excited about unless you’re a gardener! It’s already been added to loads of our beds and we’ve started to make our own compost too. This means less expense and less plastic.
Rosemary coated in frost
We’ve even managed to plant and grow a couple of things. October is a great month to plant broad beans. They are the hardiest little things. The broad beans have survived storms, lashings of rain, waterlogged and frozen ground, and even a bit of snow. The purple spouting broccoli are huge and will be ready for harvest soon. We seem to spend a lot of time re-staking them as they are constantly getting blown over; stronger and deeper stakes will be needed next year.
A new raised strawberry bed has been constructed and footprints in the snow revealed a cheeky fox had had a stroll across the top. There are several healthy foxes on the Weald, and neighbourhood cats wander around looking like they own the place but they work hard at managing the rodents which is a plus. Our friendly robin is back; it’s always happy when we unearth a few worms. We have a squirrel that enjoys next door’s oak tree and gets annoyed if we accidentally dig up its acorns. Magpies also visit and hopefully our toads are hibernating under piles of wood near the pond.
A cheeky squirrel visiting the allotment
I’ve just stocked up on seed potatoes – three different types – so hopefully a near constant supply over the summer. We also have a new selection of organic vegetable seeds; it’ll be a busy time soon getting them planted. Next up will be dahlia tubers as we aim for more flowers on the plot.
Thank you to the allotment volunteers who’ve braved the elements and worked really hard in tending and maintaining the plot over the winter.
I look forward to you visiting and enjoying a nature boost so close to our new Hospice in Wayfield Avenue.
If you would like to know more about the allotment and opportunities to volunteer with us there, please email me at jane.newman@martlets.org.uk. I’m on site on Monday and Thursday mornings into the early afternoons.”
A snowdrop springing into life
At Martlets, we have an allotment project called Earthworks. The group is open to local men who live in Brighton and Hove and the Havens, who have been bereaved or who are caring for a loved one with a terminal illness.
In this blog, How Earthworks helped me heal, Rick, an Earthworks participant, explains how the group provided support after the death of his wife Penny. If you know someone who might benefit from joining Earthworks, contact Jane for further details.
Published 16/02/2024