Blog

Can all members read this blog that enter or leave the site using the bottom gate padlock (Old Lane side). As you are all aware we have had to put this padlock on the gate as the other lock was vandalised & had to be grinded off. Can we please make sure that the shackle or shank (this is the u shaped bar that loops round from, and back into the padlock body is completely pressed down before turning your key to secure the lock. If you don’t do this the levers move across & the lock then isn’t secure.

When this happens you wont be able to turn your key in the keyway so the locking mechanism becomes stuck. If this happens don’t force your key to turn, take it out & look into the lock where the shackle goes back into the lock body. you will see a lever this needs pushing in (with something thin, pen or thin twig so the key will then turn again, Then you can start the locking process again using the above techniques. If the padlock is locked as above in the first paragraph the lever problem will not happen. I know this isn’t ideal for members at the moment but the fear is we change the lock to one same as the other gate it will be vandalised again meaning £70 for a new padlock. I will put this information down at the bottom gate on the notice board.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) For & on behaldf of Old Lane Allotments Association

Women who garden

Lucy Moore on plot 37N asked me to put this blog on our website & wandered if any Lady members on site would like to be involved in the research. Thanks in advance !!

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Information supplied by Lucy Moore – plot 37N

 

The days are now shorter & the weather is even colder. There is still plenty to do down on the allotment, its that time of year to carry out those little jobs that are difficult to complete when the growing season is in full swing

Here is a checklist that might help you over the winter period.

Clean & disinfect greenhouse, pots & seed trays, any repairs to your structures. keep turning over your compost, winter dig, lime your plot, keep things tidy to prevent homes for winter pests, pruning, cover winter vegetables, store leaves for next years mulch, put weed suppressant ground cover down on the land.

Those cosy nights at home plan your allotment for next years growing season, and sort out your seeds & what you want to grow.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

 

Suppliers prices are rising at the moment throughout the whole sector, this is due to price increases on raw materials, packaging & transport. Unfortunately we have to pass these costs on & this will reflect on stores prices for next season. We appreciate we are in uncertain times & prices seem to be rising on many items we purchase everyday. Regrettably this is out of our control.

Old Lane Allotments Association (Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Skip

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Just to let members know there is a skip coming to site today. Please don’t put greens in the skip as these should be composted, wood can be burned as a small controlled fire on your plot.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Important Notice to all members

The bottom gate entrance lock has been vandalised. Superglue has been put into the barrel.

Members will have to use the other gate to gain entry. As the road on St Anthony’s drive is a pedestrian zone, members coming on in vehicles will have to take note of the times when access can be made.

Please be patient , we are doing what we can to sort the problem out.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Hello to all Members

The Perspex that goes inside the main hut building notice board, to shield notices from the rain seems to have disappeared. Just wandered if it could have come out with the high winds last week. If anyone has picked it up & put it in their greenhouse/shed for safekeeping can they let me know please. It was expensive & cut to size by our supplier.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) E Mail – oldlanelotts@gmail.com

Mains water to be turned off

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Mains water for the site is planned to be turned off Monday 15th November.

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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Just letting members know that the Kings Seeds orders are now being processed, members that have ordered seeds only, they should arrive with us in the next three weeks, onion sets, soft fruit etc. are usually sent before the growing season. Seed potatoes have been ordered and they will arrive from (Codnor) in the middle of February 2022.

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)