As January nears its end the patience of us gardeners is being tested to the full.
The days lengthen and the urge to get started is getting greater by the day. But hold steady, as long as the preparation work is in hand, a week or two longer will not matter to the life cycle of your crops.
Reflect on this great club that we all belong to, the community of allotment gardeners. This old established group of like-minded people must be more than 300 years old.
This form of community growing began in the 18th century when landowners, who were afraid of losing their poorly-paid workers to better paid jobs in the towns, decided the best way to keep them was to give them a plot of land to grow their own food. This supplemented their meagre wages and helps put wholesome food on their families' tables.
Thus the allotment was created.
Plots in those long gone days would have grown a variety of cereal crops in addition to vegetables to feed the whole family with all their basic requirements. The only difference in the modern day plot would be that very few see the need to grow cereals any more, but instead concentrate on a wide variety of vegetables and fruits.
The motivation of growing in the 21st century is somewhat different, in that it is more of a leisure activity but still fulfils the need of supplying good, fresh, wholesome food.
If one of those early allotmenteers was to walk through the gates of a modern day allotment they would meet similar characters to back in their day: friendly, sharing, happy-go-lucky types willing to enthuse about the benefits of locally grown produce.
All those centuries ago, there were no artificial fertilisers and they grew 'organically', having little idea what that term meant. Since the latter part of the 20th century, after the swamp of artificial fertiliser and insecticides, those same traditions are becoming the norm again on many plots up and down the land.
They collected animal manures and compost material to feed the soil and provide its with its richness, much the same as today.
In addition the same laws of growing practice apply these days as all those years ago. The practice of crop rotation is essential for healthy, disease-free growing.
They practised the system of barter many years ago too. This was before money became the major currency of trade. This is still true today on the everyday allotment and produce often changes hands where excess crops are exchanged for those in short supply. Money is not considered as valuable to a gardener as a bag of fresh vegetables to take home and savour.
So, you see, you become a member of this long-established club the minute your allotment career starts. The skills that have been passed down the ages are willing passed on by the older allotmenteers; no secrets here, so these skills are perpetuated for ever.
For those of you who are not yet members of our club, think what you are missing. Make your resolution for 2008 getting out there and gardening.
It will not be long before you are hooked and a life member of this unique club.
