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Dear Members,

We have always used a hose pipe to fill our barrels on our plots, then transfering the water using watering cans. These mechanical battery sprayers that you submerge in water and spray it with a wand can’t be used on Old Lane Allotments, we understand technology moves on . This will soar our water usage and create one really massive water bill, which would have to be passed on to our members. If your using one on site “please stop” and if you are thinking of buying one “please don’t” as it will be treated as a breach of tenancy. There is already hosepipe bans in place in the UK. Our water bill is going to be high anyway due to the lack of rain

Old Lane Allotments

Blog by Mark Burton (Secretary)

Hi to All Members.

Leeds City Council came to have a look at the gates, the man who came has had to go back to his boss with a report. Me and Mick Hogan spoke to him a length this morning He says it needs a specialist team to come in and fix the problem.. So until I announce any other updates, we will have to carry on with the gate shut off. Like I said in a previous blog it’s not the committees fault.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Sec)

Dear Members

Unfortunately we have had to close off Old Lane Entrance (Asda side) The gates are out of alignment, and are being left open all night as members have obviously not been able to lock them. This then puts the whole site at risk so we have had to take action.

Leeds City Council are aware of how urgent this is, even though our site is self managed by the committee, perimeter fences and gates are the responsibility of Leeds City Council. We know this is an inconvenience but it is not the committees fault. We have to wait for Leeds City Council to action this , so until further notice members will have to use St Anthony’s Drive entrance to access and exit the site.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Just letting members know that we have had a donation to the allotment funds from one of our members who wish to remain anonymous. We have decided to change our prizes structure as a one off.

Best kept plot winner £35 two runners up prizes of £25. Same for the best newcomers to site winner £35, two runners up prizes of £25

Old Lane allotments Committee

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

We have been asked by Leeds City Council for our members to take part in an allotment survey. This has been sent to 65 members that are currently on our what’s app group.

For those that are not in the group the web address is https://surveys.leeds.gov.uk/s/QSP44z/

You will have to type this into Google search engine to get the link.

Thank You

Old Lane Allotments

Blog Created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

In Tudor times peas were a delicacy, often imported from the Netherlands, making them expensive to eat. Eating fresh peas became much more popular in the late 18th century, when British breeders started growing sweeter varieties. Gregor Mendel used pea plants in his experiments with genetics. Peas were first frozen by Clarence Birdseye who invented the ‘plate froster’ in the early 1920s in order to preserve food. The pea is said to be green when its young & immature. Ripe peas are usually yellow.

Peas have a good source of vitamins A,B1, & C. They are also high in protein, carbohydrate & fibre. The less water used when cooking peas , the less vitamin C is lost. Peas do best in an open position, but not one that is too exposed. |They are naturally a cold weather, growing best in Spring & cool Summers. They do not thrive in hot weather, drought, or poorly drained soils. Peas  generally don’t  germinate in cold soil, & this leaves them venerable to attack from mice & fungal diseases. Do not sow in an early cold Spring.

Always read seed packet for growing instructions

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

It was reported to myself this morning from a plot member, that on four seperate days and times last week Old Lane entrance (Asda side) has been unlocked. The lock has been put in the relevant hole and just hooked on, leaving access to anyone. It is paramount we keep our entrance gates locked for every members safety.

Doesn’t matter if your coming on for 10 mins, lock the gates at all times please.

It was also reported to me today, that someone keeps putting the lock on the wrong way at St Anthony’s Drive, making it really difficult to get on site.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Leeds City Council have comfirmed there will be no percentage increase for plots for the 2026/27 season, they will remain at the same cost as last year. Rents are due on the 1st October 2026. Rent statements we usually give out at the end of August 2026 or beginning of September 2026. However we will need to monitor our water usage. The heat has been extreme in the last few weeks, so it is a distinct possibility that our water charge will rise to members. We will not know this until we get our invoice from the water board at the end of summer.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Tomatoes

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)