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| | Trubshaw Cross Allotments in Middleport are a mix of vegetable patches, sheds, greenhouses and overgrown plots that are host to a variety of weeds and grasses.
There are bricks, plastic sheeting and old crates that need clearing, as well as a small gooseberry bush that's managing to produce some healthy looking fruit.In the middle of it all is a shed that's in need of a new window - an ideal spot to sit and imagine what it could all look like with a bit of hard work.
Since Summer 2004, we've been at work on it. Here's our season by season diary, with the latest entry first...
Autumn 2004
The bad weather over the summer has meant that work on the BBC Radio Stoke allotment has been rather slow!
But we haven't forgotten about it and things have been taking small steps forward.
The biggest problem we had to get over was the waist-high grasses that were growing on the site. The resident gardening expert on the Tim Wedgwood show, Nigel Snow, finally found a dry day and has sprayed the allotment with a weedkiller.
It's not a harmful kind, the plants take up the poison through their roots, leaving the soil untouched.
The grasses and weeds are starting to go brown and in a few weeks time, the hard work will really begin - to dig the site over! (you don't think we do proper gardening in those clothes, do you?!).
We've now got neighbours on the site who we're hoping to meet soon but there are still plots available if you'd like to take one on. Contact John Goodwin, the Allotments Officer at Stoke on Trent City Council, on 01782 232529.
Lisa
Summer 2004
As well as healthy crops of vegetables, wild flowers are also flourishing.
A bush of Queen Elizabeth roses grows close to the path, heads fat with petals and offering a beautiful scent.
There are poppies in varying shades of pink and a clump of cornflowers offers a bright flash of colour amongst the grass.
Waist-high
Plot 29 is currently an overgrown patch with lines of strawberry plants hidden under waist high grasses.
Lisa
Help
Tim Wedgwood and his team on BBC Radio Stoke are looking for volunteers to spend one day a week on the allotment.
You can help to clear the site, design its layout and then help to plant and maintain it.
It doesn't matter how much or how little gardening experience you have, enthusiasm is far more important!If you'd like to get involved, you can write to Tim Wedgwood, BBC Radio Stoke, Cheapside, Hanley, Stoke on Trent, ST1 1JJ or you can send an e-mail to tim.stoke @bbc.co.uk.
Or you can contact Dave or Debbie at the CSV Action Desk on 01782 221225. We'll keep you updated on this page so that you can see how work is progressing.
 | | John Goodwin and Julie Waddicor - allotment experts from Stoke on Trent City Council, with, in the middle, Paul Ashton from the Trubshaw Cross Allotments committee |
If you'd like to find out more about getting an allotment at Trubshaw Cross or at any of the allotment sites across Stoke on Trent, contact John Goodwin, the City of Stoke on Trent Allotments Officer on 01782 232529.
(Please contact us if you know of other allotments officers across Staffordshire)
Gardeners' question time
Tim's gardening experts, Nigel Snow, from a Garden Centre in Chester, and Jenny Hendy, the gardening author, will also be keeping an eye on the plot.
But, if you've got questions for them about gardening in general, or if you'd like to ask the team something about allotments, try to listen in when Tim and Nigel have their regular spot.
You can listen on the radio in the normal way, or online via the internet.
See more about the gardening slot and how to place a question for our experts |
