2020 Covid-19 Memories

Clare Campbell, Inverleith Allotments

As an allotment holder I have been so very privileged to have had access to my little oasis when so many have not had green spaces to enjoy.

But this pandemic reminds us all that if we don’t look after the earth then  this earth will not look after us.

23rd March Lockdown is announced. I scrub out my home greenhouse and install......... armchair, knitting and books in preparation for social isolation. The seed potatoes I’m about to chit look accusingly at me. What will become of them if the allotments are locked down too.?

3rd April Flour in short supply and sourdough making now the lockdown activity of the moment. Starting to wish I’d turned the whole plot over to wheat production.

17th June No rain of any note since lockdown began and even with regular hose pipe use the ground is bone dry and the plants have stalled. But hey ho, Screwfix is now open for click and collect and my new shed guttering is installed just in time for the first decent shower.

24th March The word is out, yippee, the allotments are open and there is still plenty of pickings to be had from last season.

17th April I catch my neighbour , who has been getting meat deliveries in big polystyrene boxes, on her way to the refuse bin . I now have a weekly supply of sturdy planters to start my veg seedlings in and a lot less polystyrene going to landfill. Now where to get some compost?

24th June I find myself stuffing and sautéing a few wee courgette flowers. Anyone remember when time was much too precious for such a task? I eat them with a tiny handful of Mayan Gold that I have dug up too early cos I think the plants have blight.