Illustration of a garden with vegetables and plants, with the words 'Sustainability' at the top. Features include a wooden box with soil and green plants, a green barrel, a tomato plant in a pot, an orange watering can, and icons of a recycling symbol, a carrot and lettuce, and a bee above.

January 2026 Message

Happy New Year to All Our Wonderful Plot Holders!

We hope you’ve rolled into the new year with your wellies intact, your seed catalogues ready, and only a mild sense of guilt about how many mince pies were consumed. As we settle into the winter rhythm on our plots, here are a few light‑hearted sustainability tips to keep things green, thriving, and only moderately muddy.

Winter Sustainability Tips (with a smile)

Compost like a winter warrior:  If it once lived, the compost heap wants it. Veg peelings, cardboard, that lonely parsnip you swore you’d cook.  Toss it in. Think of your compost as a slow‑moving pet that eats everything and never judges you.

Mulch; the soil’s winter duvet:  A good layer of mulch keeps weeds down, moisture in, and gives your plot that “I’m totally on top of things” vibe. Even if you’re not.

Water wisely (yes, even now):  It may feel like the sky is doing all the watering for us, but make sure your water butts are actually collecting it. Winter rain is free, plentiful, and doesn’t require a hosepipe ban.

Feed the birds; they’re the real pest‑control squad:  Robins, blue tits, and other feathered freeloaders do a cracking job of eating pests once Spring arrives, so give them a winter boost. A few seeds, fat balls, or a DIY feeder made from an old bottle will keep them happy. Plus, watching a robin puff itself up like it owns the entire allotment is peak entertainment.

Leave a messy corner for wildlife:  Hedgehogs, insects, and other tiny tenants appreciate a bit of chaos. A pile of leaves or twigs can be a five‑star winter hotel. And if anyone asks why it’s messy, just say it’s “intentional biodiversity”.

Nourish the soil now, brag later:  Add organic matter during winter, and your spring crops will reward you with smugly impressive growth. And if you want to give your soil an extra treat, lay down some cardboard before mulching; it protects the soil, suppresses weeds, and slowly breaks down to improve structure. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle all those post‑Christmas delivery boxes without anyone judging your online shopping habits.

Plan your spring growing empire:  Winter is prime time for plotting (and plotting your plot). Grab a hot drink, browse seed catalogues, and make wildly ambitious plans. Will you grow 14 types of tomatoes? Probably not. Will you convince yourself you can? Absolutely.

Wishing you all a sustainable, productive, and joyfully muddy year ahead. May your compost steam, your birds sing, and your harvests be the envy of your neighbours.

Take care,

Helen - Sustainability Officer