It’s all go at the Community Allotment!

Not just about plants but also local people

Our greenhouse is complete and filling up fast with seedlings. With the heatwave in May followed by the sudden deluge, then back to more typically British weather of sun and showers – all combined with longer daylight hours, plants are really progressing. It’s not only the plants – read on for more.

Learning Opportunities

For five years we have been going into local schools teaching pupils hands-on practical growing skills. Following that success, this year we run two workshops for adults; the first workshop, ‘Get Growing’, run at the community allotment at the end of May, was well attended; participants learned practical skills including seed sowing. The follow-on workshop in July focusses on no-dig and composting. The activity-based learning provides an opportunity to understand the composting process, resolving problems and using the compost on no-dig beds. See our website for details.

(Left) Sowing seeds workshop 30th May 2026

(Right) Family Easter event - 30th March 2026

With funding from the National Lottery Awards for All, we are also bringing children to the allotment through our Home Education, After-school and Holiday Club sessions. The fortnightly Home Ed sessions are fully subscribed and are a great success. After-school clubs are each week in term-time; with holiday club sessions maintaining continuity through the school holidays.

After School Club - May 2026

The schools are not being neglected, we are running sessions at two local schools. Also; at Loudwater Combined School, we are building growing beds in a designated area fenced to protect plants from deer and badgers.  The work is being completed with materials provided through the generosity of local companies and staff volunteering days. We will be running growing skills sessions at the school once the beds are completed.

‍Greenhouse

‍We completed our new greenhouse in mid-May, just in time for receiving seedlings. The old greenhouse was bursting at the seams! No sooner was the glazing completed than the first plants were in there. The new sturdy shelving is a great boon for supporting the plants and seed trays. A couple of water butts and a solar powered watering system complete the set up and ensure plants receive water early each morning – the best time for watering.

‍This was all made possible thanks to the generosity of Marsh & Micklefield Big Local, crowdfunding (including many allotment volunteers), the High Wycombe Town Committee and the Rothschild Foundation Green Fund.

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Busy in the greenhouse

The combination of the warmer weather, the heavy rain and longer daylight hours has had a dramatic effect on our seedlings. In the Spring, we had lots of empty beds waiting patiently for plants to be grown in them. Then suddenly it’s “where can we plant the Brussels Sprouts/ Tomatoes/Spinach?”! The heatwave in late May was a challenge, but the ‘unusual’ weather patterns are to be expected. The extremes of weather make growing more challenging, but we are fortunate being on the bank of the Back Stream. Also using the no-dig technique and regularly keeping beds either covered by plants, or with organic material when the plants have finished, the soil structure is better able to retain moisture when it is dry, but also able to absorb rain without flooding.

Find out more

‍If you are interested in any of the above and would like to find out more, please look at our website www.growtogetherbucks.co.uk or contact us at  info@growtogetherbucks.co.uk.

Allotment sessions are 9:30 – 12:30 on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. ‍ ‍‍‍ ‍