Allotment

Allotment

Heavy clay soil and high rainfall and winds is challenging and several structures are used to manage in these conditions.

  • Polytunnels provide shelter for year round growing
  • Cloches add extended growing to outside plants
  • Windbreaks minimise wind damage
  • Raised beds add depth to the soil
  • Cold frame shelter delicate plants
  • Irrigation system on timers
  • Compost and worm bins for improving soil structure
  • Green manure or tarpaulins for winter soil cover
  • Rainwater collection for delicate plants
  • Polybox (polytunnel within the polytunnel) 
Rye cover crop

Cover crops

Ryegrass, Winter Mix, and clover are applied throughout the winter months to enhance soil structure and provide material for composting.

Moving to a No-Dig cultivation starting in 2019 may reduce the cover crop area.

Globe artichoke

Container cultivation

Containers are reused from agricultural feeders with drainage holes drilled out in the base. Sifted loam, sharp sand and compost is mixed together specifically for the crop.

Containers can be permanently placed in the polytunnel or outside and even moved about as conditions dictate.