Author: oldlanelottswp

Cold Snap

 

These pictures were taken by our Mick Cooper 31/1/19. The attention to detail on the spiders web is quite stunning.

It’s been the coldest day of the year so far.

Thanks Mick for sending in the pictures for the website

 

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Photography by Mick Cooper

The  Second World War

Once again Britain was blockaded and food shortages were normal. The pressure was greater than of the first world war even public parks were pressed into use for food production. The famous “Dig For Victory Campaign” educated the general public to produce there own food & save shipping needed for war Materials. Food rationing kept up the demand for allotments & home grown food.

The Allotment Act 1950

The result of demands for more & more building land saw the re-establishment of the Allotments Advisory Body which in 1949 recommended a scale of provision  of 4 acres per 1,000 head of population. This resulted in the allotment act of 1950.

Current Situation

By 1996 it was stated there were around 297,000 plots vacant and, although definite figures do not appear available there has again been an upsurge in interest of growing food crops. Concerns about genetic modification of foodstuffs, chemical pollution & contamination of our food & the desire for the ultimate in freshness, has seen empty plots filled & waiting lists appear for sites that had previously had high vacancy rates.

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Photos enhanced by      Mick Cooper  (Plot 12 E )

 

 

Small Holdings & Allotments Act 1908

The small holdings and Allotment Act 1907 imposed responsibilities on parish, urban district & borough councils to provide allotments & further legislation in 1908 consolidated previous acts & resolved various anomalies.

First World War 1914 – 1918

During the first World War Germanys blockade caused food shortages which increased the demand for allotments. One source of land suitable for allotments but not large enough for general agriculture use was the land owned by railway companies. These strips of land were often allotted to railway workers this is the reason that you will often see allotments by railway lines today. Following the First World War there was a decrease in a demand for allotments and this, combined with increased demand for building land for housing reduced the number of allotments.

Blog & Research Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) 

Photos enhanced by Mick Cooper (Plot 12E)

 

History of Allotments – To be continued …..

WHAT TO GROW

 

One of the srangest things I have come across is a grower that has a crop that he or she doesn’t like. So the first rule is to grow what you like to eat. Although this may seem obvious , often it can be strangely ignored. Write down what you or your family like to eat. Think seasonally Summer most people like salads & in Winter most families like root hardy vegetables. When you go shopping see which fruit & vegetables are the most expensive (so you can save money). Having eventually made a list of what you want to eat. You can then choose the varieties you want to grow. It’s easy to get carried away when your planning, be realistic about the time you have available ; think about how much time you will have in a good week, and in a bad week. Pick plants & seeds that are happy with that & grow them in the right place. On the other hand do try crops that you haven’t eaten before. The worst case is you waste a packet of seeds & a small patch of land.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Winter Digging / Getting ready for Spring

 

We have noticed some plots have not yet been dug over & 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.

 

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Further to our blog published on the 9th January 2019 stores opening days & times have not changed, however we will not be opening the stores officially until this years growing season begins. So the said times & days will not take effect until the end of February beginning of March  weather permitting.

However when seed potatoes are delivered by our supplier in the middle of February, these will be distributed accordingly. We will inform our members of Pick up days/times for seed potatoes via our website.

Thank you

Mark Burton / Tony Paine

For & On Behalf Of Old Lane Allotments Association

 

 

 

 

Dear Plot Members,

Depuy Synthes who occupy plot 28 on our allotment site, will be CONTINUING with the gardening club working with Hugh Gaitskell School.  It will  run every Wednesday on their allotment garden between 12 o’clock & 2.30 pm. There will be two different groups who will be between seven & ten years old.  Two teachers & staff from Depuy will be supervising the children. Depuy volunteers already do some fantastic work in our community they want to educate children from the school working in a gardening environment,  learning them  how to grow fruit, vegetable’s, and flowers.

WE WANT TO WISH THEM WELL FOR THEIR GARDENING PROJECTS FOR 2019

OLD LANE  ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE

Safety

According to the (Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents) around 300,000 people go to hospital each year after been injured in the garden. Around 87,000 are actually injured while actively doing garden tasks. Below are some tips to reduce risks from injuries whilst gardening.

Gloves – Its always worth investing in a good quality pair of gardening gloves, to protect your hands from scratches, prickles & general wear & tear.

Boots – You need a good pair of safety shoes/boots to protect your feet whilst gardening, also to prevent any slips & falls on muddy wet ground. Especially when you are using sharp gardening tools  (forks & spades) . 

Knee pads – Knee protection is very useful on stony or cold ground. You can buy a traditional kneeling pad or knee pads that actually strap on to your knees.

.   Always wash your hands thoroughly after gardening.

.   Don’t store liquids in fizzy pop bottles if there is a risk of confusing        It’s contents.

.   Store tools  properly its only funny in cartoons when someone steps      on a rake or brush.

.   Tidying away the hosepipe to prevent trips.

.   Use cane toppers on canes to protect your eyes

.   Keep a first aid kit handy in your shed, greenhouse, or car

.   Long sleeves & trousers may seem unnecessary in the Summrtime          but they can act as a barrier from scratches & bites.

As we all know Health & safety is mostly common sense but we can all forget when we get busy on our plots

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Etiquette the customary code of polite behaviour amongst members in a profession or group . Each allotment has an unspoken law that develops over years, the kind of etiquette that should be followed.

• Keep Your Plot Tidy – Keeping your plot tidy has a real significance on the allotment but you wont make any friends if your plot is untidy & unruly. A messy plot is a magnet for pests & diseases that spread & cause problems for other plot holders. Be as tidy as possible.
• Deal With Weeds – Weedy plots are a pain for neighbouring plot members, weeds spread via both underground roots & seeds. These seeds spread via the wind, so by not weeding you will be causing work for your neighbours.
• Tackle Diseases – Always deal with any disease attacks as soon as possible, as you know disease will spread quickly to other plots. Dispose of any infected plant material off the site to limit the spread of disease. Also tell your neighbours so they can set up defences on their plot & be on the guard.
• Keep Paths Clear – Always make sure that other plot members can get past your plot, and the access is clear especially if they are pushing a wheelbarrow.
• Respect Other Peoples Space – Firstly not everyone wants to chat, some people come to there allotment for peace & tranquillity. Never take short cuts over someone’s plot , it can be annoying if someone walks over your seedlings which become damaged. If people want to chat they will.
• Help Your Neighbours – The big rule helping your neighbours, as allotments are all about community & helping each other. If your neighbour is going on holiday offer to water there plants, and they sure will do the same for you. Sharing tips & ideas can be useful for us all.

 

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

Start with the soil, healthy soil leads to healthy growing plants with fewer problems. Follow a crop rotation (Even a simple one) to prevent a build up of pests & problems. Be vigilant most problems can be dealt with early. Keep plants healthy water when required , don’t overcrowd plants. Grow a wide variety of plants , big areas where you have one specific vegetable growing allows pests & diseases to find their host plants with ease.

Diseased plants should be thrown away not composted. When choosing plants & seeds look for disease resistant varieties. Pest & disease problems with plants vary from year to year so always try again sometimes the result’s can be different.  Attacks from pests & diseases can be demoralising for any gardener. You can however minimise the problems by looking after your soil & plants.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)