Our Plot
Allotments are the complete antithesis to show gardens. For a start, they are real and have a shelf-life of more than a week. They don’t get the same level of scrutiny and they are much cheaper to make. It is, however, for the long-term and the amount of time invested in one involves real commitment.
Our plot ebbs and flows in terms of productivity but has been a crucial resource, retreat and testing ground. We’re not expert growers and don’t always have the time we’d like to spend there but it still feels like a bit of luxury having a place where we can grow our own food. Lately, as veganic growers, we’re looking at how our fruit and vegetables can be grown without the use of any animal inputs.
Veganic gardening (derived from the words ‘vegan’ and ‘organic’) is similar to organic gardening but uses plant-based inputs instead of animal-based fertilisers such as fish, blood and bone, stable manure or compost containing animal renderings. It aspires to be a closed, system (i.e. no external inputs) which is more sustainable than conventional growing.
Veganic techniques involve the use of plant-based compost, no-dig systems, green manures, cover crops, mineral amendments and even weeds to enrich the soil in terms of fertility and structure. This, in turn, boosts nutrient availability and water retention/drainage to create a nourishing place for mycorrhizal fungi, nitrogen-fixing bacteria and other life-forms to thrive.
Veganic growing also uses less by way of resources (such as land, water and energy) and creates healthier soil with a higher organic content that absorbs and retains water, making it more resilient to drought and erosion.
Like organics, avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides allows biodiversity (insects, birds and invertebrates) to flourish in an eco-system where predator-prey cycles help maintain ecological balance.
While, historically, it’s been difficult to obtain food where there hasn’t been a degree of animal exploitation it’s encouraging to see pioneers in the veganic movement (such as Iain Tolhurst, of Tolhurst Organics and Sivalingam Vasanthakumar (Kumar) of Woodland Farm) helping farmers in the UK and abroad transition away from animal agriculture towards more sustainable and cruelty-free farming methods.
As an allotment tenant, learning how to grow food sustainably without compromising our vegan principles has been a revelation. It’s still work in progress but makes so much sense as a more practical, balanced and sustainable approach to growing while reducing our environmental impact.
I realise that blogs are old-hat and that other platforms such as Substack are all the rage but I don’t have the time or discipline to post regular content. I may however use this section of the web-site to add some thoughts/musings about Our Plot and our veganic adventures and maybe photos or drawings of who or what we encounter along the way so feel free to check in from time to time. You’ll be very welcome.
