This year, the special award category highlights inventive and quirky ways to support plants like beans and gourds that need structures to climb on.
Peter and Elisabeth tramped round the whole site and saw many interesting, both traditional and novel, ways of supporting plants. We have picked out a few for a special mention and award of a ‘Winner’ certificate.
WINNER – Sara Plot 21C
A bizarre looking structure made from branches and stakes with what looks a bit like a hammock made of a piece of fishing net draped over the top. We’d never seen this arrangement before … so it deserves a prize for innovation.
WINNER – Lukas Plot 36B
Lukas has put a dismantled clothes drier, or clothes horse, to good use. Interesting use of a discarded household item. Deserves a prize for recycling.
WINNER – Helen Plot 31B
There are quite a few bamboo cane wigwams, some people call them teepees, on the site supporting various kinds of climbing beans. Helen has a very attractive wigwam cluster for different types of beans. Deserves a prize for variety.
WINNER – Irfan Plot 18B
There are a number of trellises on the site to support gourds of various kinds. Irfan has made good use of various salvaged materials to construct a very solid looking trellis. Deserves a prize for building and construction skills.
ALMOST A WINNER – Elisabeth Plot 21A
This customised bathroom shelf was intended as a support for cucamelons. Unfortunately, this year the crop failed totally. All seedlings died of wet and cold or got eaten by slugs. After three attempts the project was abandoned. But next year things will be perfect.
Stockingstone Road Allotment Association 