Final 8 Edible Patches

Final 8 Edible Patches

8 final designs have now been selected from the entries and will be displayed at the Show in June. Find out more below on what you can expect to see!

• ‘Multicultural Cultivation’

Designer: Mr Peter Wills of Knowle Road Allotments

Multicultural growing is based on the cut and come again system which uses the principle of little and often. This keeps the ground productive all season long till as late as October/November. Lots of plants are quick growing and produce food, herbs and spices to feed the family.

• ‘The North Warwickshire Edibubble’

Designer: North Warwickshire Allotment Federation

The North Warwickshire Allotment Federation have approximately 600 members from 27 allotment sites, all of varying ages and experience. To achieve the best possible results for our entry plot we will be making the most of the expertise and enthusiasm of our members. Each participating site will be responsible for growing certain edible vegetables and plants on their respective allotments which are then brought together to create the North Warwickshire Federation plot. We’ve focused on a plot which represents the allotment community in North Warwickshire with a good mix of vegetables and herbs with something for everyone form the expert to the beginner.

• ‘Square Foot Gardening’

Designer: William John Henry of Wheelers Lane Allotments

This system was pioneered by Mel Bartholomew in the USA. Each square contains a different crop grown at close spacing. As soon as a crop is finished it is replaced with another one. It is one of the most efficient and popular way’s to grow crops of fresh produce and doesn’t waste valuable resources or space.

• ‘Herban Garden’

Designer: Maurice Lander

Many herbs are in season throughout the year, those with a short period of production can be dried for use out of season. Herbs tend to need little attention and respond well to picking or cutting. They can be used both in sweet and savory dishes. Evergreen herbs are productive in the winter and produce usable material over many years in the plants’ long lives. Taller herbs can be interspersed with lower growing herbs, saving space and creating a more interesting profile. Lavender and calendula both edible flowers, attract bees and give good colour.

• ‘Rotatability by Windmill Lane A.A. Established 1901’

Designer: R Preston and Committee members of Windmill Lane Allotment Association

We at the above association wish to demonstrate to the public, just the quantity of vegetables and herbs that can be grown in an area much smaller than the average garden. We have divided the plot into 4 sections, just as the sails of a windmill, to indicate that you should rotate vegetables into a different plot each year. It needs to be understood that by using ‘the rotating crop method of planting’ it ensures that a) the nutrients are fully used and b) it offers more chance of diseases affecting certain crops to die off.

• ‘Mr McGregor’s Garden Today’

Designer: A. M. Murphy of Warstock Lane Allotments

Planting in blocks and the use of appropriate varieties e.g. dwarf and disease and pest resistant types, successional sowing, inter cropping and companion planting can all increase yield from a small space. Many parts of plants can be used for example young leaves in salads, seeds for the following year and waste material for compost to go back into the ground. Both mature and young plants can be preserved for out of season use.

• ‘Spend a Year in your Bed’

Designer: Stephanie Mucklow

I have selected plants which exhibit vigorous growth and good disease resistance whilst being suitable for closer spacing in a raised bed. Selected varieties are prolific long croppers, winter hardy, dual purpose in the kitchen with long standing potential in the raised bed, ensuring maximum productivity and useage. Some varieties can be either successively sowed, or sowed in the Autumn for early crops in the following year. The addition of cloche protection on the elevated beds ensures some crops such as chard and spinach will over winter or can extend the season for some plants such as lettuce for long term productivity.

• ‘A Tasty Little Space’

Designer: Rhoda Simpson of Court Lane Allotments

The patch is divided into smaller growing areas to make it as productive as possible but still aesthetically pleasing. Three planters are used to grow climbing plants and trailing crops are planted around the base of the obelisks. No soil is left unplanted and gaps in the pathways are filled with edible creeping herbs. Edible water plants are grown in a half barrel which along with the edible wildflowers and herb area encourages beneficial wildlife. A small lawn is used for the cultivation of mushrooms whilst a beehive ensures a good supply of honey.