Allotment Journal
Development of allotment plot in south Manchester. Artist & Gardener in residence, using my plot to elaborate community projects on the site.
The place:
Bethnall Drive Allotments
https://www.bethnalldriveallotmentsociety.org/

Map from 1950-60 of the place where allotments are currently today with the old railway beside where Fallowfield loop is today.

Plot 7A
January 2020
State of the allotment when we got it in January, mainly full of weeds, some rubbish and a pile of compost with more weeds.
two raised beds were on the site also
February
Cleaning the weeds and designing the space.
We started from the right to the left side of the allotment cleaning the weeds and moving the soil to create beds.
March
Clearing and designing a plot

Creating spaces for vegetables and buying seeds.
April
Building a shed from a recycle old shed.
Vegetables growing
May
We collected the first rhubarb leaves, from a fantastic set of plants that were left in the allotment and apparently were quite established and healthy.
First crops, radish and spinach
Keep planting, clearing, sowing.
June
Allotment Plant, currently developing, focusing on creating wildlife areas.

Developing wildlife-friendly spaces in the allotment.
July
Collected, onions, garlic, potatoes,beetroot,peas,beans,carrots,radish,lettuce,spinach...
Half the potatoes were infected with worms...
August
Carrots,cucumbers,lettuce,radish,spinach,chard,peas,beans.
September
Lots of beans, carrots, leeks, beetroot, radish, this is definitely the best month to collect all the hard work.
October
November
Garlic and onions autumn veriery planted
December
Building new raised beds with bricks and wood.
2021
Preparing for the new season

Rotating crops, designing the allotment.

Creating a wildflower meadow at the community space