Simon Foxton on Gardening

AnOther spoke to Simon Foxton about his treasured patch of land (about 10m. x 20m.)

“Once the initial digging over and planting is complete, I visit three or four times per week for an hour or so each time to check things and do watering and weeding. I prefer a weekday and in the evening when it is deserted.” Foxton and his partner grow a variety of produce: sweetcorn, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, beetroot, rhubarb, kale, cabbage, spinach, cucumbers, courgettes, onions, cherries, blueberries and lots of herbs. “We have failed with carrots, celeriac and broccoli.” As well as a good crop, half the pleasure of having an allotment is the community aspect. Foxton says, “We have started sharing our patch with our friends Penny Martin [editor in chief of The Gentlewoman and her husband] Barry Kelly – it’s made it even more social and enjoyable. We have lovely neighbours who are all very handy with hints and lending tools. We share our crops because we tend to get lots of crops at one time; and there’s only so much you can do with a courgette!”