Author: oldlanelottswp

Seed potatoes have arrived and we are in the process of weighing them out in to 4 KG bags. These will be ready for collection from Wednesday the 22nd of February. Can I advise our members to pick them up on the said stores days and times please, which were outlined in yesterdays blog – regarding new opening hours for our stores shop.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

These will be the new stores opening days and times from 20th February 2023. Mondays 9am – 11.30am Tuesdays closed. Wednesday 9am – 11.30am Thursdays closed Friday 9am – 11.30am Saturday 9am -11.30am Sunday closed.

Can members please arrive at the stores on these set days and times please. All of the committee undertake duties on a voluntary basis aswel as cultivating our own plots.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Plot Members,

This is to make plot holders aware the allotment committee meet the first Sunday in every month to discuss allotment issues. If there is anything you want to be raised in our monthly meeting, please put it in writing & place it in our site letterbox in the toilet area.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

 

 

 

When I approached the entrance gate on Monday 13th February the gate had been locked like this (see picture above). It was impossible to enter the site through that entrance gate so I walked down to the other gate to obtain entry. I cant understand why someone would exit the allotments and lock the gate in this way, which is the reason for this blog post. Surely the person who did this must realise that any member wanting to enter site would not be able to gain access. There has also been a number of instances where the lock has been the wrong way round, making it difficult for members coming in to see the combination codes. Someone repeatedly is changing just one number as they lock the gate. Scramble all the numbers, it doesnt take long for the next member coming in to change the code back to gain access. Security is everyones responsibility as members of Old Lane Allotments.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For and on behalf of Old Lane Allotments

All the site wheelbarrow handles have been painted orange for identification.

Please can we make sure the barrows are put back in the holding area

Thank you

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Plot Members,

This is to make plot holders aware the allotment committee meet the first Sunday in every month to discuss allotment issues. If there is anything you want to be raised in our monthly meeting, please put it in writing & place it in our site letterbox in the toilet area.

Thank you

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Pigeons & Birds

Although birds are responsible for some damage to your crops by far the worst culprit is the wood pigeon.  They do maximum damage to your brassica plants in Spring & Winter when food is scarce. They can reduce a cabbage to a few stalks overnight. It’s not just the cabbage family (brassicas) which they attack, they enjoy beans, peas, turnips & even Swedes, they will also eat your fruit & berries when in season. Pigeons are said to be clever birds, scarecrow & rattling bottles on canes don’t seem to disturb them.

The only answer is to put netting over your crops, you need to make sure the netting is supported otherwise birds will press down on the netting to gain access. Make  sure to fasten the netting down at ground level or they will find their way under your netting. Pigeons can destroy your hole crop in a day. Always remember to net your crops, don’t think or I will do it tomorrow, there is nothing more demoralizing than going to your plot & half of your crops have been eaten. However the Robin for example helps us on the allotment when you are winter digging it will feast on the pests on the top of your soil

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Winter Digging / Getting ready for Spring

Some plots on site havent been dug over and weeded ready for this years growing season.  When it comes to sowing & planting in Spring you will not be ready, resulting in playing catch up when the growing season is in full swing.

Winter digging will give you a good start as Spring is just around the corner, enabling  you to make maximum use of your land for growing

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

Broad beans are high in protein & fibre ,an excellent source of folate also a good source of other B vitamins. They are rich in Phytosterols which help lower cholesterol levels in the body, they are an excellent source of minerals such as iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, & potassium. It was widely believed that rubbing a wart on the furry inside of the bean pod would cause it to shrivel & disappear.  Beans were also found in the tombs in ancient Eygypt where they were left as food for the departed & their souls in the afterlife. The Greek philosopher & Mathematician Pythagoras forbid his followers to eat or touch the bean as he said they contained souls of the dead.

Broad beans always grow better in fertile well drained soil where plenty of compost or manure has been dug in. A sheltered site is considered for Autumn sowing, spring sowing is fine out in the open. Once the beans begin to form pinch out the top of the plants to deter black fly.

Always remember to read the seed packet for growing instructions.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)