Allotment

Plot life is about to begin. The Woman and I were on a waiting list for almost a year. Yesterday we had our group induction. It was an afternoon filled with new words and foreign concepts as I started to realise how much I have to learn before my fingers turn green.

The Woman has been chasing a hobby for a while. Judging by her speed this morning in arranging tools etc, I’d say she’s found one. I hope she finds tending and maintaining the ground to be cathartic instead of an added responsibility after work. She will find out for herself in the future. As will I. Tossing the allotment ball into my juggling act will no doubt prove challenging, but I hope to find a balance. All that is for the weeks to come, however. Today is the first day; a time to embrace the sense of possibility that accompanies the beginning of any new pursuit.

As we were led around the site and advised in the generalities of allotment participation, I perceived a definite air of pressure surrounding the upkeep of plots. There is a committee to help newcomers and admonish the lazy in the community. They seem like a helpful bunch, if slightly stricken by internal strife.

The plots on offer were allocated to the group according to the order of the list we had been waiting on. The Woman and I were fourth. We watched our first choice, Plot 125, with its plum tree and stream at the rear, go to the couple at the top of the list. I felt a twinge of disappointment which disappeared when I recalled that plot had a problem with red ants. Also, what had initially seemed an attractive feature, having a committee member as a neighbour, suddenly reappeared in my mind as a potentially bothersome factor.

Our second choice, Plot 181, went unclaimed until our names were called. On reflection, and judging by the comments of the committee members, our silver medal choice may have been the pick of the bunch. Already standing within its boundaries are a new-looking greenhouse and a sturdy, spacious shed. It sits on the corner, so while passing foot traffic will be noticeable, we will only have to contend with the potentially downward glances of a single neighbour. There is also a huge tree on the corner which may prove troublesome for the spread of sun throughout the day, but I consider a picturesque addition to the space. Also, shade will always be welcome in the hot months.

It is a shame the dog is badly behaved in new environments. The allotments are a short walk away from the house. I would love to trot him up there and let him off his lead as I dig and weed and do all the other things I don’t yet know how to do. As he is and will likely always be, the moment I disconnected his lead he would bound across borders and start ripping up lettuces. He is going nowhere near the place until I stick a sizeable spike in the ground I can tether him to.

The plan for today, then:

1. Move tools up to the allotment.

2. Read rules.

3. Enquire about how to gather rainwater.

4. Start strimming and digging.

As for the particulars of growing and digging and the like, I have a book called Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide, downloaded several podcasts on the subject, and have already begun watching Youtube videos. This is a chance to learn something new. Which reminds me. I also need to listen The Art of Manliness podcast #341 on The Kaizen Method. A green space seems the ideal environment in which to adopt the principle to improve a little bit every day.