National Allotment Week
This week we’re celebrating YOU as it’s National Allotment Week! The theme this year is ‘shared harvest’ which celebrates those who own plots and share the benefits with their friends and families. There are a number of benefits to running an allotment, and we don’t just mean the tasty fruit and veg! We all know that gardening is good for the mind, body and soul, but allotment gardening also offers additional benefits in terms of helping to alleviate isolation and loneliness and enables people to contribute to society.
Did you know that spending as little as 15 minutes a day out in the summer sunshine can build up your levels of vitamin D if you are fair skinned. And for those whose skin is naturally darker, anywhere up to 90 minutes of sun exposure can help your vitamin levels, although it’s crucial to make sure your skin is well protected by dressing appropriately and wearing sun screen on any exposed areas.
With the rising cost of living, a well-maintained allotment can help a family supplement their weekly food shop with home-grown produce. Not only does this come with a fantastic sense of achievement, but gardeners can also choose to grow their food organically and free of pesticides.
We’ve put together a list of our top 10 essentials for running an allotment, whether you’re a seasoned expert or a total novice we are here to get you started!
Fibre pots
Fibre pots are a fantastic, eco-friendly plant pot alternative. Not only do these have many benefits for your plants such as minimising root disturbance and allowing you to plant directly into the soil, they are also fantastic for the environment. Fibre pots are 100% biodegradable and will naturally disintegrate over time as your plant grows, enriching the soil around them.
Potato seeds
Nothing beats Christmas dinner, but how about taking it up a notch with roasties made with your very own home-grown potatoes? Plant now for harvest just in time for the big day!
Briers Sicilian kneel pad gloves and shoes
Safety first! Make sure you protect yourself whilst tending to your allotment, shop these stylish accessories in-store.
Watering can
Who said you need to compromise your aesthetic when maintaining your allotment? This watering can looks as good on display in your garden as it does giving your plants a drink!
Grow your own selection
Variety is the spice of life, and luckily for you we have plenty of ‘grow your own’ options available in-store. From plants to veggies, herbs to spices – pop in and take your pick!
Water butt
Water butts are a great way to organically obtain water to keep your allotment nourished. We have a wide range and some fantastic offers on water butts at the moment, so be sure to call in and take a look.
Compost
Good quality compost is essential in ensuring that your plants reach their full potential. Our loyalty members can get their hands on some fabulous compost offers at the moment. Not a member yet? Click the link below to sign up and start saving today!
https://colettagardencentre.co.uk/pages/loyalty-scheme
Tomorite
These versatile fruits are a must-have for any keen fruit and veggie grower. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, tomatoes are a fantastic feature for any garden. We currently have great savings on Tomorite in-store so be sure to pick some up and get growing juicy tomatoes!
Gardening tools
Having good quality tools can make the world of difference when it comes to growing your own. Call in-store and take a look at the wide range available. If you get stuck, ask a member of our team who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction!
Kids gardening tools
Gardening is a fantastic activity to get the kids involved in, not only does it get them out in the fresh air, it has also been proven to improve self-confidence and teaches them about the world around us. Treat them to their own set of tools and watch them flourish!