April 22nd was Earth Day, and I was on a mission to convert the masses (of Elmers End) to the way, the truth and the light of growing your own vegetables.

"Just wait" I thought "until they realise how they can save money, get some exercise, shrink their carbon footprint and build community, all by planting a few seeds!"

Bless.

I made a cute sign for the front garden wall, using felt tips and an old cardboard box, and lined up the spinach plants I’d grown especially.

By the end of the afternoon?

Well, let’s say that I’d discovered I was not actually the "only grower in the village"!

In fact, it seems I’m actually officially the last person on my street to reduce the distance from soil to plate to a few metres.

First there was Stewart*. I felt sure, from his pale skin and uber-groovy hair-do that he rarely saw the light of day.

Turns out, he’s got an allotment round the corner, and is something of an expert on growing fruit.

Then there was Joan.

She was delighted to be given a spinach plant.

To add to her own plot already heaving with broad bean plants. In fact, SHE’S going to give ME some tomato plants next week.

Then I met Sandra and her little girl, who’d popped round from a few streets away to visit a friend. On their way to their allotment.

Cripes!

So I went indoors to regroup over a cup of tea. This was NOT going as expected!

On my way back to the row of spinaches, I saw that a whole family had gathered. It was Sahir, her husband and their four kids from number 47, just arriving back from school. Sahir was really grateful for the spinach plants. Turns out, it’s the one veggie she likes that she forgot to plant on the TWO allotments that she’s been cultivating for the last five years. Next week, they’re taking me to see their beautiful Turkish runner beans. And Sahir’s going to come over for tea to give me some advice about the soil in my back garden…

Finally, just as I was packing up, Natasha came out to put some card into her recycling box.

"What you doing?" she asked, curiously.

I think at this point I probably shuffled awkwardly. I explained my "project".

"Did you meet Joan yet from across the street?" she asked. "She’s amazing. Grows SO much in her garden. And the family at 47? You know they have TWO allotments? I see them every time I go UP TO MINE" she said.

"Oh" I replied, faintly… "You grow veggies too?".

"Yep!" she nodded. "Have done for years now. And we’ve got chickens in the back garden too! I’ll pop round next week for a cuppa and bring you some eggs. Anyway, got to go and make dinner now. Byeee!"

Eggs?!

It seemed I had spent the afternoon trying to teach my grandma to suck them…

And as for preparing dinner?

Well I didn’t know what Natasha was going to rustle up for her family, but Humble Pie was clearly on the menu for me!

So after all that, I’m not particularly sure what anyone else got from me, but I’m delighted to say that I now know a LOT more of my neighbours, have a friendly source of growing advice at my fingertips, and have discovered that I live in an area where I can look forward to joining in with a friendly community. Without having to be the queen-bee responsible for building it!

It was actually really funny as it was unfolding. But I am left with some strong personal lessons from the Universe. I would tell you what they were. But I’m betting that you already know : )

Yours with a slightly bashful grin,

VegBox Clara

*All the names have been changed to protect the self-sufficiently advanced!

Categories: seasonal eating

Tags: earth day, grow your own

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