Finding the plot in Powerstown

SOMETHING is stirring up on Powerstown allotments.

In the dark and icy grip of a cold February, there have been first sightings of the early 2015 plot holders.

Red nosed and wrapped like onions, these doughty forerunners of spring have ventured out to pull the last of the winter leeks and cabbages, tidy a bit here and there, hurl abuse at the local wood pigeons, then scurry back home to nurse frost bitten toes.

Still, to all intents and purposes, Powerstown still slumbers in the grip of winter. But not ,for long. Already seed catalogues are being leafed through, spades and boots cleaned, resolutions are being made.

It looks like 2015 is going to be the most organized, most productive, most weed free. Yes, 2015 is going to be the best year ever.

In a few weeks, plot cultivation will be in full swing. Organised plot holders, who dug and weeded last autumn, will have a good head start on the season. The rest of us (who didn’t) will have to dig and weed before we plant. But no matter, the air will be crisp and clean, and the exercise just what the doctor ordered.

Everyone works at their own pace here. Mine is – dig a bit and plant a bit. It’s lovely to arrive on your plot, and see a blackcurrant bush in a clean patch of earth, with a ring of strawberry plants around its roots. Instant gratification.

It’s encouraging too, when you have just started, to see a quick proof of your labours, and the promise of a fruity summer harvest. A couple of desserts, some pots of jam. I harvested over six kilos from my two redcurrant and one blackcurrant bush last year. Felt pretty smug about it too.

Little and often suits me, but some have a more robust approach, and like to dig and weed a whole bed, or even two, at a time. Some like to clear the whole plot before starting to plant.

For a really quick start, you can have your plot rotovated, so that you can go in and plant straight away. It’s a great way to start off a new plot, but you do need to stay on top of the weeding.

What I most like about Powerstown, is that when you are on your plot, you could be out in the country. The approach road is like a country boreen, and there is wildlife all around.

When I sit in my shed door, munching a sandwich, there is the sound of birdsong all around.

Pheasants in the next field sound like milk-bottles jarring together – if anyone remembers that sound! The boundary trees are home to beautiful cooing wood pigeons, and cheeky crows (cover your cabbages!).

Last year, my plot was adopted by a robin. He/she usually appears when I am digging, but sometimes arrives at lunch break, perching hopefully on a spade handle, fluffing, flitting and fussing around as robins do.

I harbour secret thoughts of making a little sanctuary for the small songbirds in a corner of the site. A hazel or hawthorn copse with nest boxes. I wonder if the allotment holders would agree.

Songbirds do eat pests – all sorts of grubs and flies, but some of them (bullfinches) are partial to flower buds, and we have a newly planted communal orchard.

Last summer, the highlights of my allotment were some black Russian plum tomatoes which did very well, a couple of pumpkins, litres of raspberries and currants, and the frogs I found in my covered compost heap.

I didn’t eat the frogs of course! I was just surprised to see them so far from water. This year, I may make a little shallow pond by the shed for them to splash in maybe? With some crow netting! Do my DIY skills extend that far? Probably not, never mind – I’ll Google it!

One thing I can and must do for 2015 is grow over-wintering vegetables, and more early salad crops under cloches. I didn’t do that last year, and it was a big mistake. It made the season far too short. I’ll be aiming for a longer productive period, and more diversity for 2015.

There are plans afoot at Powerstown this year. A new committee (with some experienced members) in co-operation with Fingal, hope to improve communications with plot holders, and introduce some new events.

There are still some plots available, so if you are interested in growing your own fresh vegetables or fruit, contact Fingal at 01-8905623 or 01-8905625, or email them at [email protected] and say you are interested in a plot at Powerstown.

We are a diverse lot up here, so if you want to grow the biggest marrow and take the prize, or build a DIY greenhouse and excite jealousy all round, you will fit right in.

If like me, you want to grow some good stuff to eat, watch the birds and the frogs, and that great big hairy caterpillar that just appeared out of nowhere, you will fit right in here too.

We are arranging a Meet and Greet at the lecture room in Blanchardstown Library, on March 7, from 2-4.30pm. Come along and see what it’s all about. Our new website is at www.powerstownallotments.ie where you’ll find planting advice, recipes and links to Twitter and Facebook.