Our Allotment.
Chapter has adopted executive chef Nathan's allotment in Marsh Hill, Erdington. It's a big plot (115sq m) and an ideal patch for our staff to get stuck in and help to cultivate seasonal vegetables and herbs for the restaurant. While the allotment won't produce all of our vegetable needs, we'll be able to provide Chapter with additional produce and garnishes throughout the year. Talk about being super local!
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It's become a family affair stretching over 3 generations. We've designated Ben's dad as Head Gardener and he's created a whole year's growing plan. Through this blog, we'll be able to keep you up to date with our progress throughout the growing season.
Well, our early Spring impetus and great intentions have been truly derailed by the weather since May! The only day we have to work on the allotment is a Monday, and believe it or not, it has rained every Monday except for 2 days. The sections we had set out beautifully are currently overgrown and it will be the autumn before we can get in to get it all cleared.
We sympathise even more with our British farmers who suffer these weather issues — hoping for a fair weather autumn.
April 2024
WET, WET, WET and not a Marty Pellow in sight!
This month of non-stop rain has made it very difficult to get to work in the allotment.
However, the rhubarb is coming on beautifully and Nathan has managed to plant out the red onions and the pea shoots he had sowed in his green house.
The last weekend in April is going to be very busy at Chapter, with our first Live Music session on Friday the 26th, a busy Saturday and the first Garden Market of the year on Sunday the 28th all along Greenfield Crescent.
So it looks like Monday the 29th might be the next time we can get out to Marsh Hill (weather permitting!).
Fingers crossed for a much drier and sunnier May .
March 2024
The beds are getting cleared and being fertilised with organic matter. There was a whole year's growth as Nathan did not have time to tend the allotment all last year.
It's amazing how quickly weeds (and deep rooted ones!) take over with their own agenda.
The soil is very rich, dark and full of natural nutrients and worms. It is so well drained that miraculously, the torrential rain we've had did not submerge the patch in great puddles.
Nathan has started growing seedlings in his green house ready to transfer to the beds once they have a bit of growth.
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