Hazel
I planted a hazel tree in my garden in February. Corylus avellana is its botanical name, and every garden should have one. I already have several hazels in a garden…
[The] Trustee in me; Cabbage Poetry
I had the honour of becoming a STAA trustee earlier this year. When it comes to my own (Beeston) plot, I am, indeed, a lazy cold-weather gardener; sometimes, when I get…
National Tree Week 2022
Written to celebrate National Tree Week, November 26th – December 5th 2022 I have often thought, if I was a bird flying over St Ann’s Allotments, I would see a…
Autumn apple season
A is for Autumn and Apples on St Ann’s Allotments. With over 2,000 fruit trees on site, we are surrounded by bejeweled beauties, fit to burst. The Community Orchard is…
Health
Some years ago, when visiting family in Australia, my grandson bought me a plaque to hang on the door of my shed. It says, “GRANDAD’S SHED – BIKES, TOYS AND…
Climate change
In mid-July, we experienced two days of record high temperatures. Although cooler weather soon followed it was too late to save many plants that had been scorched by the sun.…