Don't fence me in

Today we ran to to one of our furthest task over in Thornton Heath, Unique Roots to help Pam on the allotment. She had a variety of task for us to complete so when she saw the size of the group she was so excited. We have done many task at the allotment in the winter months prior to the pandemic so it was good to be there today to see the fruits of our labour. The raised beds we helped to erect, had vegetables and plants growing in them. There was also a new addition to the space, that had Pam beaming with excitement. She had a new polytunnel installed. Inside the polytunnel there were a few seed pots that had been planted by one of the groups Pam works with, their seeds had grown and was ready to be transplanted, however that wasn't why we were there.

Tasks

• cut back the branches from the tress that were over hanging in the entrance to the allotment
• build some raised beds in the polytunnel
• reap the vegetables that were ready to be picked.
• water the vegetables
• transfer the compost to the raised beds
• refill the compost area with the leaves from the tree we had cut

The group broke up into smaller groups and focus on the different tasks that was available Sarah, Ros, Nicola and Ingrid were the first to finish the tasks they had chosen (building the raised beds in the polytunnel) so they helped on the other tasks. Yasser and Callum were busy taking turns in sawing off the overhanging branches from the trees once they had cut off a branch they brought it to the side of the polytunnel where Sarah broke of the small branches and leaves creating two piles one for the small parts for the compost area and another with the bigger branches all sawed and ready to be packed away for bonfire night. While she was busily breaking up the branches Callum brought in some more branches that they had cut from the trees and before she knew it she was fenced in.

Ian and Sam worked on emptying the compost bin and when they finished Ian joined in with transporting the leaves to the compost bin, while Sam joined Nicola and Ros with watering the vegetables, while Ingrid helped to pick the tomatoes. While some where finishing up the last bits of the task Pam, was telling Sarah and Callum about some of her plans for the space and the various groups she works with.

Before we left Pam reminded us that she would see us next week at another of her sites and thanked us for a job well done. On our way out of the allotment we noticed a sunflower plant with 10 flowers we stopped and admired it before heading out the gates for our return run.