Page 8 - ALG Issue 4 2023

Q&A
David Allison, FNVS, Horticultural Advisor
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
Being able to answer members queries to the best of my ability to enable them to grow better edibles. Also attending members training days and other similar events and helping to answer members questions on Q&A panels.
WHAT DEVELOPMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE ALLOTMENT MOVEMENT? Developing the social side of allotmenteering, not just growing quality fruit and veg, which can be a lonely hobby on the plot, but sharing your successes, either at meetings or site events. Also gardening with climate change in mind, for example using
less water, chemicals, non-organic fertilizers, single use plastics and embracing carbon capture.
WHAT DOES YOUR ALLOTMENT/ GROWING YOUR OWN MEAN TO YOU?
To be able to grow/show/eat quality fruit and vegetables (and some flowers!). Trying new varieties, growing techniques and working with nature, not against it. Explaining to potential allotmenteers the benefits of growing your own, not just in terms of flavour, but also the health and wellbeing benefits (both physical and mental) which have been clinically proven and are now becoming more accepted.
HOW HAS ALLOTMENTEERING/ NAS CHANGED IN THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED?
I think the biggest single change is
the realisation that soil is a living, breathing valuable resource that has
to be nurtured, fed and looked after. It is a finite resource and with an ever- increasing global population, has to provide more food from the same or indeed less space. I think the practice of feeding the soil with lots of organic matter, rather than feeding the plant with chemical fertilizers is the right way forward. I also think a good compost heap is a very important part of any allotment, or growing space. There can be more bacteria in one teaspoonful of quality soil than there are people on the planet, so look after it!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW PLOT-HOLDER?
Lots of ideas here! Talk to plot holders adjacent to your plot find out what grows well for them in your area. We are a friendly lot generally and you can pick up loads of tips.
Don’t take on too much at once, unless you have limitless energy, tackle a bit of your new plot and get it productive before moving on to the next bit. As Colin Bedford said in his Q&A piece
in a recent issue, see what you have achieved rather than what you still have to work on.
Unless you are growing for showing, only grow what you like to eat, as growing space is not limitless, there’s no point in growing rows of beetroot
if you don’t like them. Also, if and
when planning to grow perennial veg., i.e. rhubarb, asparagus, globe and Jerusalem artichokes etc., plan your space carefully and prepare the ground well, as they could be there for many years, as could top and soft fruit.
FAVOURITE CELEBRITY GARDENER/ GARDENING TV SHOW?
I don’t have time to watch a lot of telly or read books, but I do try to read Garden News now and then, and Professor Stefan Buczacki is very knowledgeable and talks a lot of sense in his “problem solver” pages.
IS THERE A TOOL OR GARDENING PRODUCT THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
A watering can or hose pipe if permitted. As we are and will
continue to experience hotter and dryer summers, according to the meteorologists, water in summer is a precious resource. I am lucky in that I have a mains tap near my plot, but only use it if and when my water butts run dry.
IF YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR ALLOTMENT, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY?
Most of my hobbies are horticulturally related, but I do have a young granddaughter and like to spend time with her. You can’t wind the clock back and she’s growing up fast!
You can do
more harm by applying chemicals to your soil – it becomes almost inert, and whilst chemicals can kill some of the nasty bacteria, so it can kill the good bacteria as well.
SPROUTS OR CARROTS?
Carrots every time and although I enjoy growing and eating them, sprouts give me wind.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL VEGETABLE SHOW ENTRY?
When we got married, 50 years ago this year, we could only afford a small terrace house with no garden, so
found an allotment site in Eccleshill, in Bradford where we used to live,
we managed to get a plot straight away. In September, the secretary of the site who also ran the show, saw my veg and persuaded me to enter
a cauli in the show. I got a red card and was hooked, I have been growing and showing ever since, taking on lots of roles in both local and national gardening organisations. I have a very understanding wife! – David Allison
8 Allotment and Leisure Gardener