Last year, I wanted to see if I could grow flowers and veg plants that other people wanted to buy and so London Plot was born (the insurance company wanted a name!)
This is strictly fair weather market trading and all very local and ad-hoc. When people ask if I’ll be there every week, I explain that once a month is about right for the plants to grow to a decent size. It turns out that people are prepared to wait; today the oregano was finally big enough to make an appearance and a woman who twice now has come to the stall but left disappointed today walked away clutching a tin of her favourite herb.
It’s been interesting to note the stage at which people consider a plant ready to buy – the cosmos sells well at all stages but the last three are refusing to branch out and as a result look sad and spindly, whereas today the celosia was at its most curious looking and they practically leapt off the table.
I have a source of tin cans; the obvious source comes from Billy the Labrador’s daily dinner which are perfect for herb pots. Now I have a source for catering size baked bean tins – the company gets through 10 a day and are happy for me to take even a tiny proportion (and we blame cows for rising methane levels!) I spray paint the tins in various colours, which gives them shabby chic status and so much nicer than plastic pots.
This Sunday I expanded the range to produce from the plot; sweet and sour cucumber pickle and pea and mint houmous, as well as rhubarb and almond muffins.
I measure market trading success in how much is loaded back in the car at 2pm – today only two crates went back; everything else was empty.
I really enjoy having a stall, there’s no pressure to sell although I do love making a sale. There are a number of allotmenteers from other sites who drop by to buy their tomato plants and have a chat, bloggers that I get to meet in person (Nic Dempsey) and the ooh’s and aah’s when people sniff the flowers and I can tell them which variety and what time they were cut.
It’ll be PSB and basil next week and then a few weeks off to regroup and maybe one or two more in August before we close down for the year.
Allotment Life 
It looked amazing and if I hadn’t been walking a bolshy dog, I’d have snapped up some sweet peas!
Thanks and the sweet peas will be back this Sunday
I would love to do something similar but unfortunately my current plot contract prohibits making a profit from or the selling of produce. I can swap it, give it away, but not sell it.
Good luck to you, I hope your venture goes from strength to strength
This is lovely! what a great way to share your allotment produce and joy. I’m really pleased to see you’ve made it happen.
Good post and pictures. Well done on having a go at this, and making it a success.
Your comments about the tin cans made me smile. xx
Looks wonderful! There’s something very special about having a market booth and connecting face to face with people who appreciate what you’re growing.
I love the term “shabby chic”!”
And it’s great seeing a mention of a fellow member of the blogging community – Nic Dempsey is one of the most prolific bloggers I follow, and an inspiration of how to really use this medium extensively.
Thank you – it’s totally about the connection. Turns out in the real world, Nic and I only live a few miles away from each other!