Launton Lines Issue 297 September 2025

Notes from the Launton Plotters

What difficult weather we have been having!

So much wet and gloopy mud at the start of the winter meant that no winter digging could be done in preparation for the new season. Then we had the driest spring for years, so seedlings struggled. To top it all we are now in a drought, though it has just rained! However with judicious watering (obviously only using watering cans) many plots have flourished, with an overabundance of courgettes, a glut of runner and French beans, huge towers of yellow beautiful Jerusalem artichoke flowers and sunflowers, as well as enough perpetual spinach and chard to feed an army, gracing our plots.

National Allotment Week was between 11 and 17 August, promoting Allotments and Wellbeing. Just the fact of being out in the fresh air is a tonic for many, but the social aspect is also wonderful with chats over the allotment fence, swapping growing tips, or just putting the world to rights. The exercise you get working the plots and hefting those heavy watering cans is not to be sniffed at either. Wellbeing can be felt all around us down at the allotments. If you are interested in having an allotment, please contact Jackie Hackett on launtonplotters@gmail.com Our waiting list is quite short at the moment.

Jackie Hackett: Chair Launton Plotters