Bumper Crops for Balloch Gardeners

Tucked behind the safe haven of Lomond Parish Church, Lomond Community Gardens & Allotments is a gardener’s delight.

Established in 2013 when the Church was awarded the Bronze Eco Congregation Award, the first plots were offered to those on the Alexandria Allotments’ waiting list.

Eight years on and Loch Lomond Gardens has an extensive waiting list of their own and it’s easy to understand why.

Rounding the corner of the site you would think you had walked into a working, professional garden - not one grown by green-fingered volunteers.

“We have members from all over and of all ages,” said committee member Mary.

“Funding from Awards for All helped us buy sheds, polytunnels, timber for the plot beds and beehives.

"We recently received Landfill Funding to reskin the polytunnel and build more raised beds.”

The gardeners enjoyed bumper crops this year.

Courgettes in particular thrived in the summer sun and have inspired great creativity with the gardeners as to how to cook them.

“I’m running out of things to do with them. I’ve had so many this year and they just keep coming.” says Cathy showing me her raised bed produce.

With the seasons changing, flashes of vibrant orange pumpkins peek out between the greenery, a sure sign winter is on the way.

A plot is just £28 per year with £5 donated to a developing nation charity. The port-a-loo in the allotments is even twinned with one in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Who knew port-a-loo twinning was a thing!

Future plans include all season outdoor events, building more greenhouses and a patio outside their gardener’s hut, aptly named The Weeders Rest, plus helping the bees settle back into their hive.

To find out more about the allotments contact lomondallotments@gmail.com but remember they do have a long waiting list.

Or join their Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1806542969565366 for garden updates.