The Allotments Regeneration Initiative
March 25th, 2009
The Allotments Regeneration Initiative (ARI) have an interesting website and newsletter which is full of information regarding allotment regeneration. This is, of course, a subject close to our hearts so it is well worth a visit to: http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/
You can also download the ARI newsletter from this page.
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Allotments: a plot holders’ guide
February 28th, 2009
The Government released a booklet a while ago called “Allotments: a plot holders’ guide” which has some general advice for plotholders and for anyone thinking of becoming a plotholder.
Click this link to download the booklet. (PDF ~250K)
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Some Good Advice!
December 2nd, 2008
This excellent advice has come into the GAS email from a long standing, very experienced gardener…
We have a major problem with inexperienced people taking on plots without being aware of the necessary time involved for cultivation. We see them making an enthusiastic start in spring, doing a bit of digging then finding it is all too much. The dug plot then becomes overgrown with couch, dock and bindweed and is difficult to let. It might therefore help if those enquiring for a plot are offered some guidance. This rough draft is offered only for preliminary consideration. Len Wingfield
THINKING OF RENTING AN ALLOTMENT?
Allotment gardening can be very rewarding, but cultivating even a small plot takes quite a lot of time and effort. The television programmes tend to make it seem so easy. In reality a small (5 rod) plot is likely to require an average of about 5 hours work a week, more in spring, less in winter but nevertheless getting out whenever the weather is suitable. It is not a warm weather only pastime. The allotment year starts in September, and it is important to make a start on your new plot as soon as possible. The priority is to prevent it from deteriorating by becoming weed-infested. This means keeping grass paths cut and perennial weeds eliminated. It is not just for tidiness. If grass is allowed to grow long, couch grass (a creeping-root grass which is difficult to eradicate) will take hold and invade the cultivated area. Weeds allowed to seed and spread build up future trouble not only on your own plot but on neighbouring plots too.
It can be a mistake to dig the whole plot at once. It is better to dig only as much at a time as can be sown or planted, and cultivated by hoeing, otherwise weeds seize their chance and invade the bare ground. It is of course possible to cover dug earth with black plastic to prevent weed seeds germinating and nutrients leaching through the soil., but it is important to secure the edges well by burying under the soil or with heavy objects. Otherwise the wind sooner or later gets under the plastic and blows it away, often ripping it up in the process. Machine-cultivation has its place, but in the process perennial weed roots are merely chopped up so that each piece grows again and you have even more weeds. It is generally better to dig by spade and fork, carefully removing perennial weed roots as you go.
Although most crops are sown in spring, several crops need to be sown or planted in the autumn or winter. These include autumn onion sets, shallots, garlic and broad beans. Some salad crops can also be sown and some types of cabbage planted out. In every case the soil needs to be prepared first.
Some allotment sites have rabbit problems. In such cases weekly checks of the stock-wire are necessary to see whether rabbits have burrowed under or made holes through. (Yes, believe it or not, they often do make holes through stock-wire!)
For those inexperienced in vegetable growing the winter is the best time for learning. A range of excellent books are available in public libraries. Also most helpful is advice from your neighbours on the allotment. They will be able to tell you what grows well and what are the particular problems on your allotment site.
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Special offer for WASHA members
September 20th, 2008
Villa Mimma (Piedmont, Italy) offers 20% discount on the accommodation price to all WASHA members who wish to spend a week of holiday in this magic place in the Monferrato region (North West of Italy, an hour’s drive from Turin, Genoa, Milan).
Two self catering apartments and two bedrooms in B&B accommodation are available to rent throughout the year.
Great destination for wine and food lovers. Also great for those who wish to spend some time in a peaceful place, with great views and welcoming hosts. Walking, golfing, horse riding, tennis,… are just a few of the amenities near by.
Central location for those who wish to see the Italian Riviera as well as the Alps and the Lakes, or cities like Milan, Turin and Genoa, all of which are between an hour and an hour and a half’s drive from Villa Mimma.
For more information visit Villa Mimma’s website or feel free to contact Claudia (claudia@villamimma.com or call 07711 756965) directly or try and catch us on plot 5.
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GAS Open Day Invitation
September 11th, 2008
WASHA will be hosting a
GAS OPEN DAY
on Sunday 21st September 2008 from 10am to 4pm.
The new Tree Bog will be officially opened by the Deputy Mayor, Pauline Searle at 2pm.
Visitors (tenants from other sites) will be welcomed, served refreshments and be shown over the site.
It will be completely informal and it will give us all a chance to meet our fellow plot holders from other sites. (weather permitting, of course).
Volunteers are needed please. It would be helpful to have some sort of rota. Contact Bev or simply turn up and help!
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Gardeners needed for Age Concern Guildford
September 1st, 2008
Age Concern (Surrey) is looking for keen Gardeners to help their clients around Guildford Borough.
It’s not voluntary (for a change!), Age Concern Gardeners get paid £10 per hour.
Apart from Gardening skills, the other requirement is that Gardeners must pass a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check – which Age Concern pays for.
If you feel you can help, please contact Lesley Prideaux @ Age Concern on 01483 514472
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Recommended local repairer
September 1st, 2008
The only local equipment repairer used to be Flemings along Broad Street. When they packed up, there wasn’t anyone else around – the nearest one being in Woking.
So good news is that one of the guys who worked for Flemings has set up as Guildford Mowers. They did an excellent job repairing the mangled business end of my strimmer – charged £15 & even loaded up the spool so it was ready to use!
They deserve some more local business and I’m happy to recommend them.
Details: Guildford Mowers, 60 The Oval, Wood Street Village
tel: 01483 826527; 07815 545287
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Thanks from the WASHA chairman
August 13th, 2008
I’d like to thank everyone who helped shift chippings down to the “Tree-Bog” site this afternoon. Thanks for the large Hippo Bag which was waiting, full of chippings when I arrived at 2.00pm. Thanks to Brian, Malcolm, Keith and Mary, Chris and Alison who turned up and shovelled and barrowed with such enthusiasm. I thought the job would take all afternoon but we did it in half an hour.
I`ll be asking for help again when it comes to lifting boards and frames during construction of the Tree-Bog.
Paul,
Chairman WASHA
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Warning: faulty lock on Broadacres gate to site
August 3rd, 2008
Saturday 2nd. August. The lock on the Oakfields gate is not working properly. If you are lucky your key will open it from the Oakfields side and then may or may not get stuck in the lock. If you chance to unlock without problems and go into the site and lock the gate behind you then your key will just continue turning and you will be unable to unlock to get out again. We will try to get this solved when John returns from holiday next weekend. Better to use the Purslows entrance if you can.
sincerely,
Paul Cragg
Chairman WASHA
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Manure alert to all plotholders!
July 26th, 2008
newsletter is worse than I thought, people who thought they
were just having bad luck have realised they have bad muck.
I posted some pictures of the effect, if you want to see
what it does.
http://www.allotment.org.uk/manure2.htm
Paul Wyman has started an online petition to the prime
minister to ban the use of Aminopyralid and I’d urge you
to sign up. It only takes a minute and we do need to do
something to protect ourselves. You can sign up here:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Aminopyralid/
The other thing I’d like to bring to your attention is the
upcoming commons debate on allotments. If we can persuade
our MPs to take the shortage of allotments seriously and
provide more plots, then we’ll all benefit.
They won’t be interested unless they think there are votes
to be had. Please take a moment to read this:
http://www.allotment.org.uk/vote.htm
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