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Urban Fox: Under water in the drought

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

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 raindrops at the allotment

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.Read

Urban Fox: Apple tree is the star of my plot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Urban Fox: Surprise in the allotment

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

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

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

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

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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