Mid December, Plot 29: the end of year report. Another odd season. If 2022 was defined by imported sandy soil and a late spring start, 2023 was about interruption: accidents and exile. But much to love about it too.
Our soil-feeding is working. Mulches and manure helping in bringing back the worms. Many times more than the year before. Many more wriggly helpers.
It was another year for sunflowers, a gardener’s solidarity with a state in a state of war. This year ours towered, flowered, higher than ever. More than twice Howard’s height. Multiple heads in multiple colours signalling defiance and silent hope.
Crop of the year: the Thai red corn from seed Kala brought back from her travels. Exquisite colours, fine texture, taste. Though we are yet to fully learn how late to leave them for seed-saving. Not long enough was this year’s lesson.
Flower of the year: our second season of cosmos sulphureous. We tend to lean into orange blooms on the plot: classic calendula, tagetes, nasturtium, so this sits and fits in happily. The seeds, too, are super easy to save. Highly recommended. Next year, our colour palette may broaden a little. Though there will be spring daffodils for a second season
Disappointment of the year: the climbing beans and peas again. We still have work to do to balance the new soil. As ever, constancy of care and attention can only help.
Companion of the year: Otto the dog, who takes bravely to having to be on the lead and gives me lessons in (limited) patience. Howard, too, of course. Also a word for the quiet reader community here “below the line”.
This column will be rested now for a couple of weeks over Christmas and the new year. So wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2024. May your hopes, food and flowers grow.
Allan Jenkins’s Plot 29 (4th Estate, £9.99) is out now. Order it for £8.49 from guardianbookshop.com
