I am SO excited, today we got an email with an offer of a new allotment plot!
When we lived in Dorset we were based on an Army camp with not much around and not much to do; not within walking distance anyway. We decided to take on an allotment plot on the camp. I thought it would give us something to work on together as a family, and also be a great learning experience for the children. As a family we had a no gardening experience what so ever but got stuck in anyway. I can honestly say it was probably one of the best things I’ve ever done. Everyone of us absolutely loved it. It gave us a sense of purpose, was extremely rewarding and to see the children taking in interest in something completely new was brilliant; Heidi even took her first steps on the plot!
We often incorporated the plot into our studies, learning about the life cycles of various plants, combination planting, what mini beasts were necessary and what we needed to keep away etc. The children would often do child led research finding out about a certain crop and what it needed to grow and would regularly watch YouTube videos and read blogs about gardening and allotments to learn as much as they could to ensure we had a successful growing season. They also got so much satisfaction from cooking and eating the food we had grown ….. see this blog for our simple but delicious chocolate courgette cake Chocolate and Courgette Cake – A simple recipe!
Having an allotment was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, it brought us together and gave us something to build as a family. It was also probably one of the best home ed resources I have tapped into. I highly recommend getting yourselves on the waiting list for a local plot. The benefits from education, to exercise and mental health are second to none.
As soon as we were given an address of our new posting I put my name down on the waiting list. However being number 69 on the list I didn’t think we would get one before having to move again. Every couple of months I would email and ask where on the list we were. My last email explained that as a military family we would only be able to have the plot for another year so I asked if anyone needed extra hands or a plot share this summer. I couldn’t believe when the manager got back to me and said there was a plot available and due to our circumstances he would bump us to the top of the list. I feel a bit cheeky but also so excited!
I do however hope I am not getting ahead of myself with this blog – I haven’t actually seen the plot we’ve been offered yet! We are visiting it tomorrow and I am praying it’s been loved recently, and isn’t 6ft in brambles whilst being used as a dumping ground for the last 5 years! I pretty much want to take it what ever state it’s in, but I also need to be *slightly* realistic that we will only have it for just over a year before the next posting, and being almost 8 months pregnant there’s not a whole lot of major work I can do in the run up to the growing season in March.
I will however keep you updated and share the outcome of our viewing tomorrow! I can not wait!
