On the Plot – August: Harvests, herbs and a little bit of quiet
What is the Grimsby Garden Centre allotment?
Our plum tree gave us just three fruits this year – small but mighty! It’s still a young tree, so we’re hopeful for a bigger crop in the years to come.
The apple tree, also a youngster, surprised us with a sweet and tasty harvest that’s been enjoyed by everyone.
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We’re nearly at the end of our beetroot harvest. Becky from The Potting Shed will be picking the last few and adding them to salads for customers. The carrots are coming along slowly but surely. These Chantenay carrots are sweet and crunchy, perfect grated into fresh salads or coleslaw.
The sweet yellow tomatoes have been a real hit with members, volunteers, and staff. Every time we pick them, they go straight into the staff room, and they never last long! It’s lovely to see everyone enjoying the fruits of the plot.
Our peppers and chilli peppers have been harvested too, and we’ve made a batch of sweet chilli sauce. It’s still maturing, but in about four weeks it’ll be ready to enjoy, especially with our beetroot chutney and a good helping of cheese and crackers.
We’re still picking and drying calendula flowers. Once dried, they’re added to apricot kernel oil and left to infuse in full sunshine for six weeks. After that, we press the oil through muslin and bottle it up — ready to use as a moisturiser, massage oil or bath oil.
So while August has been quieter, it’s been no less rewarding. There’s something lovely about this time of year – a chance to pause, reflect, and enjoy what we’ve grown. And as always, the plot continues to be a space for connection, creativity and calm.
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Every time you shop at Grimsby Garden Centre, you’re helping us grow more than just plants – your support allows us to keep running projects like our therapeutic allotment, where people can connect, learn new skills, and improve their mental wellbeing through gardening.
