A plot-holder’s story
Matthew Oliver, a student of horticulture at Writtle College, took on an extremely overgrown plot at Goodmayes Lane in March 2007. Most of the area was covered in thick bramble, the rest was choked with grass growing on very uneven lumpy ground. Due to the state of the plot, a nominal rent of just £1 was charged for 2007. Matt quickly cleared a strip at one end of the plot, enabling some crops to be planted, then the task of cutting down and burning the bramble could begin. This revealed a surprising amount of metal, plastic and an assortment of other junk which had to be disposed of. Interestingly, the skeleton of a fox and a perfectly-formed birds nest were exposed.

Matt decided to cultivate the plot in strips approximately six feet wide across the plot, separated by paths of wood chippings. Neighbouring plot-holders (all called John!) kindly supplied wood for use as edging strips as well as a pick-axe and a mattock to remove the bramble roots from the ground. Further crops of beetroot, parsnips, radishes, peas, carrots, leeks, various brassicas, runner beans and sweetcorn were soon planted, while some fruit bushes were bought and potted up to await more space being cleared on the plot.

The next job was to clear the opposite end of the allotment, allowing a large compost bin to be constructed from some pallets rescued from a skip. This was filled with fresh horse manure which is rotting down nicely. Some recycled garden paving slabs and two donated plastic compost bins were added to the area.

By January 2008 the whole plot had been cleared of bramble (see before and after photos below). Although it has been hard work, it shows that even the most unpromising, overgrown plot can be brought back into cultivation, especially if you tackle the job in manageable stages.

More pictures will be added in due course, and if you would like your experiences and photos of allotmenting in Seven Kings and Goodmayes to be featured on our website, please email e.s.oliver@hotmail.co.uk.

April 2007

January 2008

February 2008

April 2009

Compost corner!

Healthy crops, early July 2007

Matt felt a little stiff after all that digging...