Spring has arrived and we are welcoming back local businesses to our allotment in Woodley.
A team from Microsoft were the first to pick up spades and dig out an abundance of weeds before scattering wood chips around the polytunnel and fruit cage.
They also did a great job of digging inside the poly tunnel and fitting a paving slab path into the netted cage where we’ll be growing fruit.
The second team on the plot were long-term supporters and Reading-based company, Frasers.
Barry, one of our volunteers who manages the allotment along with Tracey and Andy, said: “These early teams have set the bar high; they were brilliant.
“We want to try to top the 112 trays of fruit and vegetables donated to Readifood and Launchpad 135. And we’re off to a great start – we’ve already planted more than 100 onion sets in our raised beds and about 150 broad beans are already planted and growing well.
“Myself, Teresa and Andy, have 12 kgs of potatoes chitting at home so hopefully we can get these in the ground in a couple of weeks.
“We will then start runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes and butternut squash. French beans and any brassicas that are donated will go into the netted tunnel to prevent birds from feeding on them.
“In the rest of the raised beds we’ll plant carrots, radishes, spring onions and lettuces. We often also get donated other people’s excess plants that they don’t need.”
Tracey White, Customer Services Account Manager at Microsoft, said: “We always have an enjoyable day on the Launchpad allotment. We went last year and attended during the years before Covid.
“The teams love having the chance to make a difference and it’s also a great way for us to interact with other team members.
“We are definitely up for doing it again.”
If you are interested in a day on our allotment, please get in touch with Kirsti.wilson@launchpadreading.org.uk