Blog

Just letting members know we are turning off the water to the site this Saturday 11th November.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear members

The stores shop is now closed over winter. However when I am on site I can open the stores if anybody has any requirements. When the King Seeds orders arrive I will create a blog when members can collect there orders.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

If you are travelling to an organised bonfire stay safe & enjoy the celebrations

                      Enjoy the fireworks !

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From the Old Lane Allotments Committee

 

Kings seeds orders are now being processed at there warehouse, so we should receive them in a couple of weeks.I will inform members when they arrive so you can pick them up on site. Also I have ordered seed potatoes as per members order form requests. We should receive our stock in the middle of February next year.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

When I arrived at St Anthony’s Drive entrance yesterday morning the lock shackle was open, so anyone could have entered the site. I presume it had been open all night as I believe I was the first on site yesterday at 7.50am. I really can’t believe this is happening. How anyone can leave the lock open and walk away is beyond me. We have mischievous night coming up on Saturday, security on site is everybody’s responsibility. Also we are noticing the lock still is being put on the wrong way making it difficult for members accessing the site.

Blog created 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)

 

 

The English word cabbage is believed to derive from the French word cabache a term for head. Research says the 1st cabbage appeared in England in the 14th century, the savoy cabbage were not developed until the 16th century. Today China is the worlds leading producer of cabbages, growing 30 million tons a year. It is said Ancient Egyptians used to eat them before meals to help prevent drunkenness. With some careful planning there is no reason why you cant have cut cabbages for twelve months of the year. Cabbages grow best in undisturbed fertile soil that has been dug over in the Autumn & not prior to planting. They will flourish from a reasonably sunny position & need plenty of room to grow,  use cabbage collars if cabbage root fly is a problem & protect from birds when plants are young.

Cabbages contain no fat & are extremely low in calories & are very high in vitamins C, K, B6 and are an excellent source of folate, manganese, & calcium. Again historically cabbages were thought to have extensive medicinal advantages. Ancient Greeks used to use them as a laxative , an antidote for mushroom poisoning & to help heal bruises.

Always remember to read sowing instructions on seed packets

Blog & research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Happy Halloween to all our members

Dear Members

We now have cow manure from a different supplier. We are selling it at a £1 per wheelbarrow full. Payment to be made in cash to one of the committee members.

All money taken goes to the running of the site

Blog created 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)