Tips for having fun at the allotments..!
- Grow things you like – Use trial and error. With multiple varieties of produce available you can experiment in both growing conditions and taste. You may find a gem that you can’t easily find in your normal shops.
- Grow things that are usually sprayed more with chemicals within shop settings which dilutes their natural taste. These can include carrots, celery, potatoes fruit, toms and brassicas. Experience the real taste of Organic
- Grow what can’t be easily purchased in shops for example – Cucamelons, Chard, New Zealand Spinach, Purple Carrots, Purple Potatoes, Okra, Golden Purslane. This list is not exhaustive. With many countries with similar climates to the UK you can think internationally and widen your cuisine.
- Grow things for enhanced taste. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used for the perfection of plants simply for profit and these appeal to customers. As a result the real taste is diminished: Sweetcorn, Brassicas, Toms, Beans, Peas and Potatoes
- Grow things that are expensive or can be consumed in full form such as Salad, broad beans, Herbs, Sweet Potato, Kale, Courgettes, Tomatoes. These are real roots to shoots plants whereby the whole plant can be consumed. Above, Middle and Blow ground with slightly different tastes and health benefits. For example the Sweet Potato has foliage above ground which is an excellent replacement for Spinach. Below ground it has tubers which like the common potato are succulent, taste and have multiple colors and varieties full of fibre.
- Create both micro climates and vertical zones. Why let your environment dictate what can be grown. It is possible to adapt heat/shade/sunlight and soil conditions to ensure success. Space is also not a limiting factor, you can also use height and vertical growing methods which also gives an advantage over beating ground level pests such as slugs and snails.
- Incorporate various systems from around the world and across time for a unique result. For example Native North and South Americans used the three sister technique. This utilizes the height of the corn to provide support for the climbing bean and give shade and cover for squashes.