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Urban Fox: Under water in the drought May 03 2012

Attached to the gate to the allotment site there is a sign informing tenants of a drought and hosepipe ban which looks more than a little absurd at this point, after two weeks of almost constant rain. Read

Urban Fox: Clear signs of a frost Nov 02 2011

In the middle of October I found myself in the rare position of having little to do on the allotment after collecting barrows of muck to use as mulch on some areas of bare ground. Read

Urban Fox: Musical sound of the raindrops Oct 05 2011

The allotment is still looking very green and luxuriant after a summer of plenty of rain, when on many visits I spent a bit of time standing in the doorway to my shed, sheltering from a sudden downpour and listening to the almost musical sound of raindrops coming into contact with some tin cans that are used to cover the tops of poles on my neighbour’s plot.Read

Urban Fox: Apple tree is the star of my plot Aug 08 2011

Recently we had the judging for the Wandsworth borough’s annual allotments competition towards the end of a very rainy week in July.Read

Urban Fox: Warm summer nights ideal for allotment Jul 11 2011

I always find this a special time of year at the allotment, when it is possible to make the most of the late evenings and carry on working on plot in the twilight.Read

Urban Fox: Roses in bloom Jun 10 2011

Last year the vine on my plot produced no fruit at all, but this season I am relieved to see numerous, miniature bunches of grapes, some of which are dangling from the arch in the centre of my plot since the plant has now advanced nicely along the top of this.Read

Urban Fox: Weeds grow the fastest at this time of year May 10 2011

The allotment is looking increasingly leafy and green, particularly after all the sunshine that we have had lately. Keeping on top of the weeds this month will be well worth the effort as they grow their fastest at this time of year. Read

Urban Fox: Spring has sprung at the allotment Apr 08 2011

Now that spring has fully arrived things are moving on at quite a pace on the allotment. Read

Urban Fox: Rhubarb heralds the arrival of spring Mar 03 2011

As the allotment starts to be transformed with the arrival of spring plants and flowers, rhubarb is the first new crop to appear on the plot, their young wrinkled leaves unfurling at a surprising rate. Read

Urban Fox: Harbingers of seasonal change Feb 03 2011

A small patch of snowdrops are now in bloom beneath a rose bush at one end of my plot, in the same spot where I will find wild strawberries growing in the summer, and there are others dotted all around the site. Read

Urban Fox: Tracks in the snow tell a story Jan 09 2011

When all appeared tranquil during the very cold spell on the allotment, numerous tracks left in the snow revealed how much activity goes on once there are no humans around. Read

Urban Fox: The big freeze has begun Dec 01 2010

All was still and quiet on my last visit to the allotment now that the winter freeze has begun and the pond and water butts are already covered in a hard layer of ice. Read

Urban Fox: First sharp autumn frost Nov 15 2010

I was anticipating the demise of the nasturtiums, a sure sign that we have had our first sharp autumn frost. Read

Urban Fox: Demise of nasturtiums, rise of the sprouts Nov 05 2010

I was anticipating the demise of the nasturtiums, a sure sign that we have had our first sharp autumn frost. Read

Urban Fox: Time for wellies again Oct 08 2010

It is time to put on the wellies again with all the rainfall that we are having. Read

Urban Fox: Surprise in the allotment Sep 06 2010

Every so often I come across a surprise at the allotment and this year, in early spring, I discovered the small single stem of a wild rose that had seeded on my plot. Read

Urban Fox: The allotment is an oasis Aug 05 2010

While many of London’s green spaces have turned faded and yellow in the past few weeks, the allotment site is like an oasis, having retained all its green lushness, being that much closer to the water table. Read

Urban Fox: Hot weather brings out crops early Jul 12 2010

Two summers have passed since I had last needed to use the hose to water my plot, and it was surprisingly cobweb free after spending such a length of time on top of the cupboard in my shed. Read

Urban Fox: A combination of rain and sunshine Jun 03 2010

The allotment site, now abundant with fresh, green foliage has crops and weeds alike appearing and growing at great speed with the combination of rain and warm sunshine.Read

Urban fox: The next advancement of spring May 19 2010

A CROP of strawberry plants lies partially hidden amid a swathe of blue, as the forget-me-nots are out in full flower, and I try to savour the perfect apple blossom before its petals flutter away, all too quickly, into snowy-white drifts with the next advancement of spring.Read

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