Nurturing the land, and your wellbeing, at Woodclyffe Allotments, Wargrave
Discover the beauty and fun of allotment gardening at Woodclyffe Allotments, Wargrave.
Gifted to the parish of Wargrave by local benefactor Harriette Cook Smith in 1903, the allotments will be celebrating 125 years of providing food growing space and community to local families in 2028!
Scroll for more information on securing your own plot, notification of events and growing advice from our experienced plotholders.
Click here for latest news and events
and here for growing resources
The Successful Start Guide
A successful plot begins with patience and observation. Before your first sow, clear perennial weeds meticulously and observe the sun’s path across your soil. We recommend a ‘no-dig’ approach: lay a thick mulch of rotted organic matter to suppress weeds while feeding the soil biology below. Start with hardy basics, broad beans, onions, and potatoes, to build momentum throughout your first season.
Last Frost Window: Typically early-May. Monitor night forecasts carefully after early warm spells; a late frost can set your season back by weeks.
Hydration Routine: Focus on deep morning watering. Providing humidity to the roots before midday heat ensures your new starts established deep root systems.
What's going on in July
During hot weather, water deeply in the morning
LOCAL CLIMATE DATA
What we're sowing
In this extreme heat it is hard for seedlings to establish. In shady areas it is still possible to plant out heat-tolerant lettuces, beetroot and other salad veggies. It's also prime time for sowing winter brassicas; kale, purple sprouting broccoli, and cabbages ready to transplant out once they've bulked up. Some of us are getting ahead with a late sowing of peas and dwarf beans, and squash and courgette plants are going in for those who started them undercover. July is also a great time to think about planting out your Christmas Dinner!
What we're harvesting
The plots are really coming into their own now! July brings a lovely glut of soft fruit; strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries are all ripening fast. Peas and the first of the courgettes are ready to pick, along with early potatoes, beetroot, and salad crops. Many plotholders are also picking their first tomatoes, cucumbers and even the odd cornichon. And of course, the cut flowers and dahlias are starting to bloom adding colour to the site!
What we're up to
July was a brilliant month for the allotments, with our Open Allotments Day held alongside the Wargrave Festival. We welcomed over 100 visitors through the gates, who loved seeing just how much hard work and care goes into every plot. Several of our plotholders recorded short videos introducing themselves and their plots, which proved a big hit with visitors keen to learn more about the people behind the produce. We kept everyone refreshed with homemade elderflower cordial and a spread of homemade cakes, and the children had a wonderful time following our Fairytale Trail around the site. A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise, bake, film, and welcome our visitors. It was a fantastic showcase of our allotment community.
Allotment Gatherings & Events
Informative workshops, seasonal gatherings, and community seed swaps.
Upcoming Events
Produce StallSat 12 SeptWoodclyffe Allotments
Plotholders Shortest Day CelebrationsSun 20 DecWoodclyffe Allotments
Woodclyffe Allotments Society
The Woodclyffe Allotments Society (WAS) is at the heart of our community.
We manage communications between plotholders and the Parish Council ensuring Woodclyffe remains a thriving, sustainable space for everyone.
Our role is to:
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Promote and raise awareness of the allotments
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Work towards ensuring the site is preserved for future generations
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Represent allotment holders in Wargrave
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Act as a forum to bring allotment holders together
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Support allotment holders in any way necessary
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Ensure that the sites are maintained satisfactorily
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Hold events to raise money to support improvements at the allotments
For information on WAS membership and any other matters relating to the allotments, please contact our friendly society members below. Please note, Rowena is our most experienced member who works tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly and can answer most queries.
Secretary
Rowena Perry
woodclyffeas@gmail.com
Acting Chair
Julia Kendell
julia@kendellco.com
Treasurer
Stephanie Brown
woodclyffeas@gmail.com
Site Coordinators
Annie & Ffion
woodclyffeas@gmail.com