Blog

Dear Members

Its that time of year again were the weather is very inclement the rain is making the main road through the site waterlogged & swampy under foot. Can vehicles that use our bottom car park (Old Lane side) access the site through the bottom entrance (Old Lane side) & exit the same entrance please. Obviously cars parking next to the hut building would usually access & exit the site from St Anthony’s Drive entrance. The less traffic on the road through the site will stop the road cutting up & possibly vehicles getting stuck in the mud.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

 

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)

 

 

Dear Members,

The toilet & wash basin now have running water, so the facilities can now be used again.

Thanks to Mick Hogan our Chairman for making the facilities ready to use again.

Old Lane Allotments Committee

• 

Dear Members,

We have had to close the toilet area off just until tomorrow, someone has left the water tap running emptying the storage water tanks for the toilet & wash basin.

The pipes also need some repair work as the pressure has dropped. Maintenance will start in the morning. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Old Lane Allotments Committee

Dear plot holders

A car key was handed in yesterday it was found at the main gate (Hugh Gaitskell school side). It is a fiat ignition key. If anyone has lost a car key see Mark Burton Secretary on site.

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)

Dear Members

As you are aware the mains water on site has now been turned off for the Winter months. The toilet & wash basin facilities are connected to rain water tanks outside so you can still wash your hands & flush the toilet. However this is strictly NOT drinking water.

Old Lane Allotments Association

• 

Dear Members

Our mains water supply will be turned off after bonfire night. The toilet can still be flushed as this is connected to large water tanks outside.

We do this as a precautionary measure to ensure we don’t get burst water pipes in the winter months & incur extremely large call out charges from the water board.

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)

• 

Dear Plot members,

As you are all aware the UK enters into another Lockdown on Thursday 5/11/20. We just need to ensure we are following the strict government guidelines. There is still a Covid 19 guideline sheet on both entrance gates that have been there since the first lockdown in March this year. We need to do all we can to stop the spread of the virus.

Old Lane Allotments Association

• 

We have some manure on site on the footpath next to plot 11. We are charging a £1 a wheelbarrow full. A member on plot 7N has kindly donated the manure to raise funds for Old Lane Allotments to help keep up with the running of the site. Big Thanks. If you want any see Mark Burton on site or E mail me at oldlanelotts@gmail.com

Blog created by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)