Balbir
Victoria Jubilee Allotments, Handsworth
Balbir remembers the dahlia shows at Uplands, where she beat Brian, the master dahlia grower, in a competition.
Chris
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Chris reflects on feeling more connected to her German roots on her allotment plot than anywhere else.
Sephi, David & John
Dad’s Lane Allotments, Stirchley
John’s enjoys growing fennel, fresh strawberries and radicchio head. David and Sephi extol the virtues of the old heritage variety of Jack Edwards beans, and how they save the seeds each year since they’re no longer available. Sephi loves ‘scrumping’ all the vegetables on the site.
Carol
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Carol tells the story of his early days in Birmingham after emigrating from the Caribbean at 12 years old, and the importance of his plot to his well-being.
Dave
Clay Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
From pear and apples to quince and medlar, Dave comments on his different fruit trees. He says his favourite apple variety is Pitmaston Pineapple.
Dorothy, Ronaldo and George
Uplands Allotments, Handsworth
Sweet potato, yam, choco, kidney beans, peanuts, kallaloo, peppers and patalia – Ronaldo, George & Dorothy contemplate the exotic produce grown at Uplands.
Steve & Chris
St Margaret’s Road Allotments, Ward End
Steve commends the joy of planting a seed and digging. Chris is a master potato grower and provides tips to help others.
Mr. Bansal
Clay Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Mr. Bansal created his cottage kale/perennial kale area by taking a cutting from kale bought on the Soho Road in Handsworth.
Dave
Aldridge Road Allotments, Perry Barr
Dave discusses his allotment and introduces his amazing runner beans from Jamaica that can grow without water.
Dougie
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Dougie grows a variety of vegetables. His kallaloo is from Gloucester and he saves the seeds to replant.
Balbir
Victoria Jubilee Allotments, Handsworth
Herbs, garlic and onions grow on Balbir’s plot and she uses them to make cooking pastes.
David Taylor
Longmeadow Crescent Allotments, Shard End
David relates his love for the onion family and leeks. He loves to 'fill his car with a stew' and drive home in the winter, enjoying the rich smell.
Dorothy, Ronaldo and George
Uplands Allotments, Handsworth
The group expand on some of the world foods grown on the site.
Ish
Lime Tree Road Allotments, Ward End
Ish describes the layout of his plot and what he grows, explaining that mooli makes a great smoothie and extolling the virtues of elephant garlic.
Josie
Lower Tinker’s Farm Allotments, Northfield
Josie discusses the old strawberry varieties, one of her favourite things to grow.
Carol
Moor Green Allotments, Moseley
Carol ponders the significance of growing the West Indian vegetable kallaloo on his plot and the interest it gains from friends and family.
Sephi, David & John
Dad’s Lane Allotments, Stirchley
When John grew chard, he discovered a fantastic recipe for a layered Bulgarian pie that would use his crop, along with lovage and caraway.
Maz
Gospel Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Although he’s been a plot holder for some 25 years, Maz’s 85-year-old mother can still do more than him! He says that having a space to call one’s own is empowering.
Mr. Bansal & Jeevan
Clay Lane Allotments, Acocks Green & Victoria Jubilee Allotments, Handsworth
Jeevan discloses that Mr. Bansal is responsible for all the beautiful fruit trees at Clay Lane allotments.
Dave
Clay Lane Allotments, Acocks Green
Dave loves making wine from his plants; he says dandelion wine is very good and leek wine makes for the most 'palatable white'!
Teresinha
Walsall Road Allotments, Perry Barr
Teresinha discusses the dye plants and flax that she grows on her plot.
Dorothy, Ronaldo and George
Uplands Allotments, Handsworth
Kidney beans, corn and yam: the group sum up the world foods grown on the site.