I am a little obsessed with compost because I can never make enough. To help, I sometimes have manure from Bruce delivered but it is so much work because, like everyone near me, you can't get a vehicle near the plot. This means it is dropped off and then has to be barrowed onto the plot. I had two loads this year, each load taking 2 hours to move and then I couldn't move the next day!

There are so many different ways of making compost and I do a bit of each because it all is used in different ways: cold composting, hot composting, worm composting and leaf mold. This post has a video explanation of each method made by a variety of growers.

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 16 December 2020

It had been a quiet month on the wildlife plot until I decided to coppice the hazels!  There are about 8 or 9 large clumps behind the shed and behind Gorfin Hall. Normally if you have more than one hazel, you coppice them in turn so that you have stems or wands at various sizes and you can then cut them depending on what you want.  Never one to shirk, I decided to do them all in one go although when I say I did them, I have to give a massive thank you to Dave and his chainsaw as he cut and I dragged them away all over the wildlife plot and my plot.

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 13 December 2020

This is my favourite colour combination - bright pink and orange - beautifully demonstrated by the berries on the Euonymus tree on the wildlife plot. It was a bit hidden by some large suckering cherries which is such a shame because it also has fantastically coloured leaves that are bright red and is a real feature of one of the end beds down towards the bank.  The other photo is of the leaves on the Euonymus alatus in my garden and  they are the reddest of red and will become brighter and brighter as autumn continues until it looks like it is on fire.  And that is why its common name is Burning bush. A fabulous autumn display which I am working towards being more obvious on the plot next year.  This month there are: Additions to the plot, Planning for a tree guild and Things that have to go!

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 07 November 2020

At the start of the year - just into lockdown - I wrote a post about collecting seed. I thought now was about the right time to do an update as we have finished harvesting much of the summer produce. I think it would be fair to say that I have got seeds drying everywhere; the polytunnel, the spare bedroom, the airing cupboard and the dining room table. So, here is what I am up to.

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 20 October 2020

It doesn't seem that long ago that I pulled up my garlic - I think the days have all rolled into one at the moment because it was June. I pulled them up slightly earlier than normal because I had a rather splendid case of rust on them. It is an airborne fungus and can appear on any of the allium family.  I sometimes get it on my leeks but not my onions for some reason. So, as garlic planting time is coming up, I thought I would investigate ways to try and reduce rust.

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 13 October 2020

If you are on Facebook, you might have noticed several posts offering seedlings and plants from the wildlife plot for anyone to take. My plots run alongside the Wildlife Plot and for 15+ years, I have watched the Wildlife Trust plant, weed, create and develop the garden into what it is today: A small pond, a large flower border, bug hotels, apple trees and others, compost heaps, wood piles, seating, a willow arbor and much, much more. So it was sad news to hear that they were no longer able to continue working with the plot and were stopping. 

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 03 October 2020

National allotment week is upon us and this year the theme is 'Growing food for health and well-being', a reflection of the many benefits of growing and eating your own fruit and vegetables.  The president of the National Allotment Society, Phil Gomersall, says about this year's theme

"This year every week has been National Allotments Week, with more people than ever realising that growing your own food is a great way of eating healthily, getting some outdoor exercise in the fresh air and acquiring new skills. Plot-holders have also benefited from the contact with nature and the easy camaraderie on allotment sites, helping to retain their mental health and stay positive during these worrying times.”

And it is so true!  Coming down to the allotment has been like a small slice of normality for me.

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 11 August 2020

I hope everyone is well and safe. These are such troubling times but it has to be said, an allotment is a real gift. Although I do have a garden at home, it is lovely to go up to the allotment and work quietly on the plot. There are some plots around me where people have been very busy and they are looking very good.

Last autumn, I started to think about saving some of my own seed. I did this because I had the experience of several packets of seed from different suppliers with very poor germination rates. It was a good time to think about this because if you have tried to buy any seed recently, you will have realised that the seed companies are inundated with everyone wanting to grow some of their own food. Many seed sites only open their website for a few hours and then close again until all the orders have been packaged. Others have a queuing system before you can get onto the site and some are just shut. Someone needs to be out in the fields sowing plants for next year's seed! Thank goodness for Kings and the allotment association!

Written by Joy Simpson

Joy Simpson

Published: 17 April 2020

The Exmouth Mutual Aid Covid-19 Support Group is now recruiting the large number of volunteers that will be required to ensure that everyone gets the assistance they need.

Written by John Singleton

John Singleton

Published: 31 March 2020

Please take due care and follow government guidelines re touching surfaces.

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Several people, particularly at PL, have said they are flexible about which evening they cover so please let me know if you can cover one of the open slots or one of those already taken. My priority has been to cover the weekends.

Written by John Singleton

John Singleton

Published: 30 March 2020