Hobby Love: Allotment Life.. Give it a Go.

I'm not your typical veg grower some might say, with it being a stereo-typically older gentleman's past-time maybe. Although I guess that's how I got into it. You may remember we turned our back garden into a veg plot earlier this year after my lovely dad and sister got their first plot, which then turned in to two plots.

Their enthusiasm for it was infectious. 

Seeing the fresh veg they grew from what started as a patch of mud was inspiring.

Now i am not green fingered in the slightest, but with some time and patience i think anyone can grow veggies.

Despite getting the keys late October almost two years ago, they spent the long winter months double digging the plot and come January they started eagerly planning what they were going to plant.

What i love about allotment life is that its a great chance for us all to come together as a family, we get the kids out from watching TV or playing xbox and get them stuck in with some mini tools for them to dig and help. And let me tell you, they absolutely love it.
Picking strawberries fresh from the bush and eating them, digging up the potatoes and seeing what the seeds they planted develop in to. 
Its soul satisfying for all.

My Niece and Son getting stuck in

Keen to get involved with allotment life my sister soon became part of the allotment committee and was elected Secretary and became involved with a project to use part of their site as a communal area where plant sales could take place and barbeque for the plot holders at the end of the summer.  Equipment was hired from SGS to clear the area, strim the waste high weeds and the ground is now ready to have wood chipping laid and the benches to be delivered. All very exciting and will bring an added sense of community to the site I'm sure.
Which is another point of allotment life i never anticipated... Community.
People are genuinely helpful, its a place to come to while away the time, come in a bad mood and always leave feeling good.
There's something rewarding about messing around in the dirt, maybe its the back to nature feeling. 
Something raw and kind about it.
And being Vegan we grow our meal.. which in itself is extremely rewarding. Seeing a plate full of home grown goodness is both delicious and satisfying for the tummy and the mind.

Mum and dad loving allotment life

Reaping the crop rewards happily

So i guess what i'm trying to say is, give a new hobby a go, remove your self from the normal routine and stresses and pressures of modern life. I know for us as a family it has been thoroughly rewarding and if anything brought us all together more.

Do you have an hobbies that you love and that leave you feeling happy?