Blog

Our stores shop is now closed for the winter break, However if Mark Burton or Tony Paine are on site we will be happy to serve members if they have any requirements .

Normal opening times will resume for the start of the growing season next year.

Thank you – Old Lane Allotments Association

Wood chips for pathways

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We have acquired a lorry load of wood chippings which would be ideal for pathways or to be spread around fruit trees, shrubs & Plants. They will act as a really good suppressant to stop weeds growing in areas you don’t want them to.

They can be found at the back of the hut building right at the back parameter fence. Please help yourselves.

Old Lane Allotments Association

Marie & Jim were really pleased to receive the award for Best kept plot. Marie said ” We were so pleased to win this years award. Its been a difficult year. This plot of land has kept us grounded, and much of our spare time has been spent on our allotment. We feel very lucky it has been somewhere to escape to, also to have some fun along the way, and to take home fresh fruit & vegetable’s.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) Photos by Marie Darlow

Hedgehogs

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There have been several sightings of hedgehogs reported to me on our site. Marie on plot 4 saw one on a neighbouring plot. Also Lucy plot 37N & Jelena plot 9N spoke about there concern for hedgehog safety on site. please see below.

1 . Slug pellets & pesticides can kill hedgehogs & should be used as a last resort, crushed egg shells or grit around the plant can deter slugs. If you have to use pellets place them under something which is inaccessible to hedgehogs.

2. Always thoroughly disturb bonfires before you light them as hedgehogs or other animals could be nesting there.

3. Litter is a real hazard to hedgehogs, they can get there heads stuck in tins, plastic bags etc

I know a lot of members have made hedgehog hotels on there plots making it safe for hedgehogs to rest or to build a nest for themselves.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary) photos sent to me by Jelena Germansone & Marie Darlow

Whatever the weather brings in September the season definitely begins to wind down. The bulk of the harvest starts to come home now & gaps start to appear on your allotment plot.  You can still sow winter hardy spring onions, & also plant Japanese winter onion sets for harvesting from June next year. This is the last chance to sow spinach & winter lettuce, a few last minute radishes may give you a final crop until the end of the year. Now is the time to plant new strawberry plants, either those you have bought or propagated from runners. You can also transplant Spring cabbages for harvesting next year. You still need to keep those weeds down with the hoe before they get established. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, will need continuous feeding, & should be ready for picking.

The second early potatoes should have been lifted by now, if all the stalks have died off then there is no food been supplied to the tubers, so they wont grow anymore. Your main crop carrots should be ready for pulling some time this month. Sweet corn should also be ready to make sure it is remove some outer leaves & put your finger nail into the kernel if its milky they are ready. Pumpkins should also be ready cut the stalks a few centimeters from the fruit & leave in the sun to continuing hardening off.

Blog By Mark Burton (Site Secretary)

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Rising Costs

We have had an E mail from Gro/well – Codnor about price increases. Seed potatoes are going up by 15% and they think other manufacturer’s will follow suit with inflated prices. They have said its to do with fuel costs , transport/ packaging, yield & availability on seed potatoes. They have also changed the quantity per sack that we purchase to 20kg instead of 25kg. Although we try & keep are prices as low as we can for members we have to pass these costs on.

Seed potatoes will still remain at £5.00 but the quantity now will only be 4kg instead of 5kg. Seed potatoe order forms will be included with rent statements which will be given out at the earliest next week.

Thanks

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

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Once again due to the ongoing pandemic there will be no Annual General Meeting which was scheduled for the 4th October 2021. Ways to pay for annual rents, seed potatoes & Kings seed orders will be explained when we distribute rent statements at the end of August/beginning of September .

Blog by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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My hens Molly, Lilly , Onyx, Peppa, & Dotty have really settled in they are now eating greens, & i Have eggs already. They must be happy & settled to be laying. They are lovely natured animals all with there own characteristics & personalities. I am reading & learning about hens everyday to gain more knowledge.

Blog & pictures by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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They seem to be settling in now having dust baths & chilling out for the day.

Blog & picture by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

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After the first day they ventured out for a stroll I think curiosity got the better of them. It wasn’t long before they found food & water and started to enjoy life in there new hen house.

Blog & picture by Mark Burton – (Allotment Secretary)