Browsing Tag

Hook Farm

    Places & Spaces Whilst Away

    The Pleasure of an Allotment

    July 31, 2014

    Hook Farm in Kent has been around since after the war. It’s a special place, cut off from main traffic and overlooking fields with horses. There are approximately 25 plots and as you would expect, a real sense of community. My partner and his family have had various plots there for over 25 years.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    On the weekend we went to the bi-annual BBQ, where everyone brings food and drinks and has a good catch up. Armed with my camera I snapped a few pics to show you how harmonious a space like this can be for everyone and everything living together.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    So, let’s meet some of the chickens. I love this sign that shows their names (made entirely by my partner’s dad who used to be in hand lettering, before the days of computers.)

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Happily roaming around and loving the leftovers of the BBQ they were given.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    The plastic tag on the chicken leg below corresponds to their names on the wooden planks.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    This bug hutch was build to encourage bugs, part of the food chain. I also happen to think it’s rather beautiful.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    This is one stylish chicken coop. Inside they’ve put rods for them to sleep on. Chickens like to roost just off the ground, like they would do if they lived in the wild.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Aren’t these teasles just a beauty?

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Anyone help me out with the name of this flower???

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Gorgeous roses!

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Susan, the Bee keeper has 11 hives. I was chatting to her about bees and could have listened for hours. They are the most fascinating creatures.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Some luscious vegetables. Love red chard.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Look at these courgettes with their much sought after flowers.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Fancy some red cabbage?

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    There’s even a resident owl living in the dead tree, here below. Of course, he was retired as it was day time. And they have 3 ponds for frogs.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Some allotment owners have signs like these. WANT!

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    You’ll find fruit, like these grapes.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    The mandatory apples. There were also quite a few pear trees.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Plums anyone?

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Wild blackberries. Just love them. I recently paired them with some fresh flowers.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Meet Basil. Resident flower pot man!

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    A water tank. That’s as good as the plumbing gets.

    Hook Farm allotment - colourliving

    Being an urban chick I just love going there and pretending I’m in the wild. It’s therapeutic, beautiful and best of all I get to eat a lot of the produce. I call this a result!! But let’s be real for a moment. Having an allotment plot and keeping an allotment site takes a hell of a lot of hard work.

    Hope you’ll have a good weekend. x