Does Size Really Matter?

I realise the following piece will have the whiff of a condescending millionaire telling the rest of us that we shouldn’t want for money and actually having lots of cash doesn’t buy you happiness – a statement of which will always be met by me saying, “I’d quite like to put that theory to the test myself please!”.

However, please do keep in mind I am aware the above statement and what I am about to say aren’t too dissimilar and I will do my best to distance myself from the similarities as I continue.

Here goes……

Having a huge allotment or growing space is not key to happiness when you’re growing your own produce.

There, I’ve said it!

Before you stop reading due to utter disdain, please hear me out, this will all end positively I promise.

We are so lucky to have a large allotment which I love (most of the time!) and I know there are so many keen gardeners who are desperate to take on a tenancy of a growing space any size some of whom have been stuck on a waiting list for years.

I have always tried be inclusive in my writing and social media posts to reassure gardeners; from beginners to the more experienced that you don’t need to have a large allotment a garden to proudly show off those green fingers. Being the proud owner of a patio, balcony, windowsill or even just a front doorstep will suffice.

You may feel like you are missing out if you are not blessed with an abundance of green space, but I’m here to say that sometimes less really can mean more.

I have definitely been guilty of complaining that there aren’t enough hours in the day, especially during the hot summer months whilst I’m running between garden beds with a watering can trying to stop our beach-like sandy soil from turning to dust around the plants.

Then there is of course harvesting your produce before it spoils or gets eaten by greedy plot visitors which can be slimy, have feathers or perhaps have six legs or more!

Not to mention having to think about successional sowing, potting on seedlings and then the dreaded weeding.

Throw in a full time job, a young family, volunteering, kids after-school and evening clubs and it can all seem a bit too much.

I liken trying to maintain a large growing space to spinning plates; racing between plants trying to keep everything happy, alive and harvested, with me frantically running back to the beginning once I’ve tended to the last plant on the plot to start the process all over again.

It does make you understand why historically having an allotment would be a pastime indulged by those of retirement age and so naturally would have more spare time to tend to things at a more leisurely pace.

Now of course I’m not complaining because this is my choice and it’s all part and parcel of having a large growing space. I simply wanted to illustrate some of what is involved in tending to said space.

This is why I’m a firm believer that not having a large space to grow dozens of different types of edibles can actually be a real positive.

Not having a big area to look after or growing less plants is much more manageable, takes less time, which in-turn is much more relaxing.

You can take your time with plant care, giving each plant more attention. This can be extremely beneficial when spotting pests before they turn into an infestation or early onset diseases before they damage your plants too much. Both scenarios of which are less likely to spot if you were rushing from plant to plant.

The less time it takes to weed, water and harvest your crops means you have so much more time to actually relax and enjoy your space. This can sometimes be the last thing on our never ending to-do list when maintaining a giant allotment or garden.

This is all part of the reason we won’t be trying to fill every inch of soil on our allotment this year. We won’t be sowing and growing lots of different plants, but will be having a relaxed approach to our produce which I’m hoping will result in a much more satisfying experience with a lot less running about and sweating!

Don’t let your lack of space dissuade you from growing your own food, it is truly possible to get involved no matter how little space you have at your disposal.

Yes of course it is wonderful to grow a multitude of different edibles and flowers, but I do honestly believe sometimes quality over quantity is the key to success.

So, when you’re relaxing on your patio, balcony or on your front door step enjoying a delicious homegrown, juicy strawberry picked fresh from the plant pot next to you; ask yourself – does size really matter?