It was just over a year ago that I started writing this blog and so a whole year’s story of me on the allotment comes full circle. This time last year I wrote that I had already planted our Anya potatoes. This year, based on the unusually harsh winter we’ve had in Devon, and another year’s worth of experience, I’m feeling confident about delaying the potato planting until after Easter. I’m certainly starting the growing season in a more relaxed manner and the fact that I haven’t already filled a thousand seed-trays with every possible vegetable is evidence of that. 

Today, I feel almost nostalgic reading those first blogs. I had never written a blog before and the last diary I wrote probably talked about boys and arguments with my parents! I have really enjoyed recording what I’ve done on the allotment, the successes (sweet peas and crown prince squashes spring to mind) and the disasters (the badger’s attacks on the carrots and the destruction of our brassicas by caterpillars were probably the most significant) as well as my joys and frustrations. Although I will be in my wellies and on the allotment for many hours again this year, I won’t be recording it in the blog. As a free service, Vegswap, has for the time being, run out of funding and so unfortunately, paying for a blog just can't continue. I think Vegswap is a great way of putting this growing community (pun intended) of people who grow their own in touch with each other. There will always be too much of something and to swap your surplus courgettes or beans with someone else’s raspberries or sweet corn means less waste and a real reason to feel good about growing your own food.

Besides, you shouldn’t be sat in front of the computer reading about me on the allotment, you should be out there digging. Go on now, out you go...