Author: oldlanelottswp

Just letting members know we are turning off the water to the site this Sunday 13th November.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

By now the nights are drawing in,so trying to fit in the allotment work becomes more difficult. Its time now to plant hardy Autumn broad beans, hardy peas can also be planted as well. Plant garlic cloves now otherwise you risk the weather becoming too wet or the ground being frozen. November is also the time to plant fruit trees, bare rooted ones which can only be planted when dormant. The same applies to new fruit bushes, rhubarb,blackberry & raspberry canes. As the ground becomes vacant it is now the time to dig in manure or grow – organic , leave the soil roughly dug in large clumps & let the worms do the work.

Digging over the land introduces air to the soil, loosening it also leaves insects & pests to the open air where birds can eat them.  Do not forget to check your vegetables in storage, and removing anything that has started to rot before it spreads. Potatoes really need to be checked at regular intervals.

Remember we sell Grow – Organic to dig into the land – All monies go back into running the site

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Our supplier for cow manure has not got any for delivery for the foreseeable future. As the prices of fertilisers has practically doubled for farmers, they are using the manure on their own land. We offer Gro Organic which is a soil improver and will put necessary nutrients back into your soil

Grow Organic is a 100% organic fertiliser, it improves soil & breaks clay. I have included some pictures so plot members can read what it can be used for, & what the benefits are. We keep the product in stock, and the price is £7.50, it would cover 1/2 plot if spread out & dug in. People who use it say it is as good as cow manure without all the hassle of delivery & off course the mess. It can be used for different applications.

All monies taken go towards the up keep of the site.

OLD LANE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

 Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

The stores shop is now closed for the winter months. However, if I am on site, I will happily serve our members if they have any requirements. Normal shop hours will be back to normal in late February 2023 for the start of our next growing season.

Thank You

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Just a reminder that the deadline to order seed potatoes is Thursday 20th October. They will be delivered to site, the middle of February 2023. Also, King Seeds I need the orders in by the end of next week Friday the 28th October.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

What a fantastic morning yesterday the sun was out, and we raised £420 for Macmillan. Everybody played there part yesterday from volunteering, baking, donating and just turning up. Lucy, Kathryn, and Rich worked tirelessly to keep the hot drinks flowing, making sure there was a slice of cake or a bun for everybody. There was a really nice feel-good factor to the morning. Massive applause for everybody.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Its soon come round to our allotment coffee morning raising money for Macmillan (People living with cancer). So please come between 10.30 – 12.30 Saturday 8th October, have a coffee and a cake and let’s raise funds together. We also have a selection of gardening books to look at. Take a book and make a donation. These will be in the hut building for members to have a look at. Get reading over the winter months ready for the next growing season.

See You there

Dear Members,

We have had a couple of instances already with the combination locks. I came on site this morning the lock was open with the combination code showing in full site for everyone to see. This should not be happening. Security is paramount and is every plot holder’s responsibility to make sure that the gates are locked and secure. There has also been a couple of occasions where the lock has been put on the wrong way, so the next member coming in can’t see the dial to put the code in. Can we all take a little bit more time to secure that lock and think about the next person who will be entering or exiting the site. When you push the hasp up to lock it, you can then scramble the numbers, check to see if its locked. We can’t understand how anyone can just walk away and leave it unopened with the code showing.

Old Lane Allotments

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

With the first frosts hitting us this month as the season really starts to slow down we can now prepare for the next growing season. Its not too late to plant out over wintering onion sets. You can plant your garlic now. Towards the end of the month you can sow broad beans for an early crop. Your greenhouse should come to an end this month any green tomatoes can be made into chutney or ripened over the next couple of months producing red tomatoes. Store them in a cool place in the dark not touching each other in case one rots & passes on to other fruits. If they dont look like they are ripening put an over ripened banana in with them this will release ethylene gas that contributes to ripening. Runner beans & French beans will come to an end this month.

When land becomes vacant you can dig it & Spread manure over the surface. Leave the soil in large clumps the worms will break them up to get to the manure. Now is the time to give the greenhouse a good clean out & wash down making more direct light next growing season.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

We “Old Lane Allotments” are hosting our own Macmillan coffee morning to raise money for people living with cancer. This is a yearly event and we have decided to be involved. We are holding this event Saturday 8th October between 10.30 – 12.30. We are looking for volunteers to do some baking for our event or even helping as a volunteer on the day. Lucy Moore plot plot 37N and Kathryn Thornton plot 12/13W are organising the event & feel free to speak to them on site. We have put posters up on the front window of the hut building with all the details for our plot holders. Let us all help to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. So put this date and time in your diary either to be a volunteer on the day or, to do some baking for the event. Or come along to buy a cake and a coffee to raise funds & bring your family and friends with you

Blog created by Mark Burton Allotment Secretary) Event organisers Lucy Moore & Kathryn Thornton