May has arrived, and the keen members of Rotherham u3a’s Grow Your Own group have returned to their allotment in the beautiful walled garden in Clifton Park for their weekly Thursday morning workout (10.00am to 12.00pm).
Each of the six sections of the plot has been dug, weeded, and carefully planned for the current season. Bonemeal or leaf mould has been applied to each section according to the needs of the intended crops. In the greenhouse, certain seeds have already been sown, while others, still in their packets, await their turn. Over the coming months, the group will harvest mouth-watering salad leaves, succulent strawberries, flavoursome onions, garlic, shallots, and leeks, as well as potatoes (early and main crop), a variety of root vegetables, and beans. Not forgetting courgettes and their cousins – pumpkin, marrow, and squash.
Members share tips and techniques with each other and learn from nature as they watch their plants grow to maturity. They also enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting, cooking, and eating vegetables fresh from the ground.
There are spaces available for enthusiastic gardeners – or would-be gardeners – to join this small, cheerful, and friendly group. Rotherham u3a is open to people of all ages who are not in full-time work. Why not go along and work with the group for up to two sessions to see if ‘Grow Your Own’ is for you?
Tools are provided – all that is needed is a pair of gardening gloves and a passion for gardening. It is physically and mentally rewarding, and lots of fun!
To arrange a trial visit or to join, contact the group coordinator via the Group link at rotherham.u3asite.uk or by texting or calling 07359 778361.