Page 17 - ALG Issue 4 2017

when a seed germinates. Pumpkins are brilliant because of their enormous leaves. And I like beetroot seeds because they are so unexpected looking. The moment when a seed bursts into life is just like magic. It never fails to thrill me. Through gardening, children learn to appreciate and care for their environment; they can look at and care for insects; understand where food comes from and that it’s easy to grow things to eat. You could probably teach the entire national curriculum KS1 and 2 topics on
an allotment! I used to run a gardening business with another ex teacher, called Vegucatekent. I’ll never forget the excitement of some secondary school pupils when they were allowed to dig enormous holes in their school garden! They all started to role play
scenes from a book they were reading in class (Holes by Louis Sachar). So gardening can set your imagination free.
How long have you had an allotment and what do you consider to be the most important bene t to yourself?
I’ve had an allotment since 2004; before that I struggled to grow vegetables in a north facing and very shady garden. The resident foxes used to sit on my pumpkin plants and squash them! I nd that focusing on digging, weeding and planting and the physical act of working with the soil is very calming. When I was a teacher there was a period when I was very stressed and I discovered that growing vegetables was a brilliant way of dealing with this. I guess you could say
that it’s my chill out zone. If it’s raining I can potter in my shed and I have a notebook there for jotting down ideas. My allotment has also brought me into contact with lots
of lovely veg growers. I’ve learned so much from ‘veteran’ plotholders. The sharing of knowledge, plants and seeds that goes on is awesome.
I’ve also got a windy plot – what
steps do you take to deal with
the conditions on yours?
I have lots of salvaged paving slabs that I use to weigh down anything that might blow away like cold frames. But that’s about it.
Do you grow beetroot and if
you do, how do you eat it?
With Bonkers About Beetroot coming out
I don’t think I could NOT grow it! And it’s
so easy to grow. I’ve been experimenting with different beetroot recipes over the last few years. Visually I think beetroot bread is stunning and beetroot hummus is delicious. Many years ago my Austrian godfather gave me a Hungarian recipe for Borscht which I’ve always been pretty partial to. But if I had to pick a favourite, it would have to be beetroot chocolate cake. Beetroot gives this cake a wonderful texture and rich colour. You can be sure it will feature at the party to celebrate the publication of Bonkers About Beetroot!
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We offer over 430 varieties, the widest range in the UK, suitable for both exhibition and the garden or allotment. MANY NEW FOR 2018
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