How Jenny Thompson ‘Organic Allotment Girl’ Started Her Dartmoor Flower Farm
Contributions From JENNY THOMPSON
Jenny Thompson, known online as Organic Allotment Girl, is an allotment grower, blogger and is currently an Assistant Kitchen Gardener at The Riverford Field Kitchen in Dartmoor. She has her own flower farm and provides cuts and dried bouquets to her customers. Jenny holds a Permaculture Design Certificate from the Apricot Centre in Totnes.
Known online as Organic Allotment Girl, Jenny Thompson is an organic allotment grower and gardener who practices the no-dig method.
In 2021, Jenny opened a small-scale flower farm in Dartmoor and is now working as an Assistant Kitchen Gardener at The Riverford Field Kitchen – but she still actively updates her online followers about her own allotment.
I spoke with Jenny about her love of allotment gardening and her career to-date.
Imagery in this article is provided courtesy of Jenny Thompson.
How Did You First Get Into Gardening & Allotment Growing?
“My background is in hospitality, so I have always had a love of food,” Jenny explains.
“Learning to grow just felt like a natural progression, especially when I realised I could save so much money by growing my own herbs in pots on the front porch.
“My work as a General Manager was pretty full-on and it was only after becoming a mum that my partner suggested I should get an allotment. I found the early stages of motherhood hard and my allotment improved my wellbeing massively.
“I took to it like a duck to water and loved the feeling of creative control I had over a piece of land. I devoured all the books I could about organic gardening and was lucky enough to attend an intensive weekend market gardening course with Charles Dowding where I learnt about no-dig. I was sold.”
What Does Gardening Mean To You?
“Growing has taught me so much,” she says. “It has taught me patience, how to appreciate nature, an understanding of the seasons, as well as a respect for soil and the microorganisms that live in it.”
You’ve Recently Opened Your Own Flower Farm. Can You Tell Us More?
“I have been given a wonderful opportunity to further my love of growing and rent a small patch of disused land on a beautiful family farm,” Jenny shares.
“The design for the farm came from my Permaculture Design Certificate that I studied with the Apricot Centre in Dartington.
“Because I have taken on this project in my spare time, I felt that flowers were an easier crop to manage compared to vegetables over just a couple of days a week.
“If a vegetable flowers we have messed it up, but if a flower flowers I can harvest it and sell it! I also love how happy flowers make people.”
What’s Next For You & Organic Allotment Girl?
“I am planning to spend more time on my flower farm, but I am also thrilled to have started a new job with The Riverford Field Kitchen as an Assistant Kitchen Gardener – growing food, flowers and herbs for their onsite restaurant.”
What Advice Would You Give To Those Who Are Thinking About Starting An Allotment?
“The most important thing to understand is that the main goal of having an allotment is not to supply yourself with vegetables,” says Jenny. “That sounds crazy, right?
“The thing is, having an allotment yields so much more than just vegetables and if all you focus on is the output of food versus the input you put in, you might be disappointed.
“There are countless other benefits including a connection to nature, continual learning and improved wellbeing. My tips would be to create a space where you feel happy to spend time – make sure you have a nice sitting area and means to make a cup of tea.
“Don’t get overwhelmed, little and often is always best.
“Also, don’t be shy with the flowers – they will make you smile and attract the beneficial insects you need.”
