When she's not busy working on the next Hobbs campaign, our Head of Brand Creative, Rosarie King, likes to spend her time outdoors on her city allotment. Here, she shows us around this lush London haven.
When she's not busy working on the next Hobbs campaign, our Head of Brand Creative, Rosarie King, likes to spend her time outdoors on her city allotment. Here, she shows us around this lush London haven.
LIFE ON THE ALLOTMENT
Located right behind my house, my plot sits within a small, but popular, city allotment. We are an eclectic bunch of allotmenteers with most people working full time. Since lockdown began, it’s been a great place to interact – the plots work well for social distancing!
WHEN IT’S SHOW TIME
Each year at the end of August, I organise the end of season get-together, where we have a best and worst in show competition. This picture is from last year when I won best for the worst misshapen hybrid courgette and Martyn won best for his amazing tomatoes.
THE FLORA AND FAUNA
I find being outdoors among nature very therapeutic. The allotment is abundant with wildlife. We share it with two resident squirrels, a fox, frogs, a tortoise and all sorts of birds – they're always on the lookout for worms. There are also a couple of beehives; note the homemade bee life raft floating on the water butt.
WHAT I'M GROWING...
The start of the season coincided with the beginning of lockdown, so there was a scramble for seeds and plants. That being said, I've managed to grow strawberries, rhubarb, miniature apples, gooseberries, lettuce, beetroot, carrots, broad beans, runner beans, courgettes and artichokes. There will be no excuses this year for my plot not to be of Chelsea Flower Show standard!
ROSARIE'S GARDENING TIPS
“MY LITTLE CAIRN TERRIER BONNIE LIKES TO COME UP TO THE ALLOTMENT WITH ME. THIS IS A PICTURE FROM A COUPLE Of YEARS AGO AFTER HARVESTING OUR GOOSEBERRIES.”