About Pennington Community Allotment
Pennington Community Allotment is a friendly group with a shared passion for gardening and all things green. The community allotment started seven years ago with a just a few people getting together and now is a thriving group growing a mixture of fruit and vegetables, all peat and pesticide free.
The gate at Pennington Community Allotment is always open to new members, no matter their experience level. The groups has a mini orchard of apple trees, many raised beds that are typically used to grow vegetables, a ‘working’ area for composting, and ground that is cultivated for vegetables and soft fruit. Part of the allotment is also devoted to wildflowers to encourage pollinators to the plot.
Pennington Community Allotment said: ‘We are fortunate to have a small greenhouse on the plot where we have a propagation station and have a shed with some solar panels, which comes in handy for boiling the kettle for our late morning cuppa.
‘Over the years we have worked to improve the allotment and always have projects that we are working on. In the past year for example we worked on an overgrown bed and planted perennials to enhance the beauty of the site and encourage pollinators. We have been collecting food waste from 40 households over the past three years and using hotbins to compost it quickly. Although this has changed because NFDC is collecting food waste themselves, we will be using our own food waste plus green matter from the allotment to continue with the hotbin composting. Our current project involves setting up bokashi composting in homes.’
Activities available
Pennington Community Allotment offers weekly sessions, regardless of weather, for people to work on various jobs around the allotment. These can include composting food waste, putting finished compost on different parts of the plot, helping with the propagation in the greenhouse, as well as harvesting and cooking with fruit and vegetables grown by the group. All preparation and growing is shared, so produce is also shared among the group.
What Pennington Community Allotment participants can expect
- Weekly meet ups with hands on activities to contribute to growing, composting, and preparation at the allotment that last 3-4 hours.
- Gardening gloves can be supplied, however suitable shoes and clothing that can get dirty should be worn.
- The ground at the allotment is slightly uneven so would be most accessible by individuals who do not require walking aids.
Where sessions take place
Sessions take place in Pennington at a site that offers nearby on-street parking. Interested participants should enquire directly for addition information.
When sessions take place
- Every Wednesday from 10am for around 3 to 4 hours.
- There are occasional Sunday meet ups, though only by prior arrangement.
Who can participate?
- People of all ages are welcome, regardless of experience – all instruction will be given.
- The group is most appropriate for people who are comfortable working outside and doing physical tasks, due to the nature of the work and activities.
Cost:
- Free