At this time of the year my thoughts turn to plans for 2011. It’s incredible, but the new year really is just around the corner as far as planning your garden is concerned.

Making Plans

Part of the planning must be the reflective analysis of the year to date. Here at Damson Cottage, after our first full year converting the three acre site into a productive kitchen garden, I am relatively pleased with our produce, and even more delighted that we have an idea of how to improve on what we’ve accomplished this year too.

Going Nuts for Hazel

Over the winter, I will be working to create new supports for my climbers; there has been a lack of structure in the garden and I think new hazel arches will resolve that.

The hazel tree certainly hasn’t been as productive this year; when I arrived here last year, it was covered in ripening fruit. This year the fruit did at least begin to appear, but it hasn’t produced nearly as much and what did form was taken by the squirrels before it was ripened. I am sure the weather has a large part to play in this. A late dry spring and then a wet August has taken its toll. By contrast the damson trees have been groaning with fruit.

Looking After Wildlife

Wildlife is a big feature here and I am pleased to report that having so much wildlife allows a more ‘natural’ look which is also much easier to look after... a real win/win situation!

There are squirrels are here and in particular; I have seen a youngster venture onto the bird feeders that hang just outside the kitchen window. However, I have taken a laissez-faire approach to them and so far we are getting along just fine.

The big pond has been home to more than one clutch of moorhens and it has also been a privilege to watch them.

When we decided to keep the chickens in the run the moorhens learnt to fly over the fences to get to the chicken grain.

Allotments in the News

I could not let this issue pass by without referring to the rise in demand for allotments and the increasing interest for families to find ways to grow their own food.

In urban locations the demand for land to grow food can’t be met and so exciting alternative initiatives are being created. The result is that households are growing vegetables in window boxes, front gardens, and any spare land at the end of roads, village greens, and even church yards.

For someone who lives in Lincolnshire, a county that has so much open farmland it may seem incredible that people are going to such lengths to grow their own food, but the benefits gained make it clear why doing so is all worth it.

Currently, there are increased concern about jobs and income for many people, but environmental issues are more widely known and understood, and an appreciation of fresh food for health are some of the reasons for becoming involved with community projects or growing your own produce.

Teach The Children Well

Recent independent research commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society shows that school gardening boosts a child’s development, teaches life skills and makes youngsters healthier and happier. As a result of this research the RHS is urging the Government to put gardening high on the education agenda.

The positive results continue with projects like the town of Todmorden working collectively to grow food in the community and champion local produce. The scheme describes itself as; “Incredible! Edible Todmorden aims to increase the amount of local food grown and eaten in the town. Businesses, schools, farmers and the community are all involved.

Vegetables and fruit are springing up everywhere. Public flower beds are being transformed into community herb gardens and vegetable patches.”

Other examples include www.landshare.net — the scheme launched and promoted by Hugh Fearnley -Whittingstall. This project aims to match people with land to spare with others who are looking for land to grow food on.

Gardening as Therapy

Gardening can be a therapy for ex-servicemen and women. Youth groups and residents in local neighbourhoods are also benefiting from involvement in community growing projects.

Those who are less advantaged benefit from the social inclusion that community projects can bring and in some cases this leads to employment.

You could be forgiven for thinking that these projects don’t apply to our spacious county with its wide open spaces. However, bringing communities together, growing, cooking and eating food together is a practice that connects us all with each other as well as the past.

In an odd way these practices remind us of a bygone era when everybody was a friend and neighbour. Sharing and cooperating is the way to become a more sustainable society and I for one embrace those ideals.

Teaching people to grow food, seeing how others benefit from those skills has always been my aim. As I plan my year ahead — appreciating the advantages of living in Lincolnshire and in particular here at Damson Cottage — I can see lots of opportunities ahead for

Lincolnshire to put its best foot forward. If you are interested in helping with a community project or have land that could be made available for a community project please contact me by email; lorraine@bellisperennis.co.uk.

This Month in the Garden

November in the garden is predominantly a time for clearing up. Removing falling leaves will add to your compost heap and create great growing material. Clean and insulate your glasshouse and clean patios thoroughly. Pruning roses and buddleia, will reduce their height to prevent wind-rock, and at the same time, you may wish to weed borders and fork our weed roots. Finally, spring flowering plant tulip bulbs and plan your spring borders now, ordering bulbs accordingly.