Hoe, hoe, hoe

Santa’s helpers are taking a break for a few hours on Sunday morning, and are inviting you to pop along to the Allotment Society Grotto, for a cup of tea, mince pie, and general festive cheer.  You may have to fight off the regulars to get a cosy place next to the fire, but, in spite of that, we will endeavour to make you feel very welcome!  The elves will be arriving at about 9.30, but will be recalled to the North Pole by about 12.30.

Very much hope that you can join us for a chat and a crumb of comfort.

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and fruitful 2020!  (and vegful) 

winter drawers on

As well as causing us to reach for our (very fetching) thermals, the end of October heralds the beginning of November, and the onset of our winter opening hours.  With immediate effect, the mad hutters will only be in attendance on Sunday mornings , 9.30 – 12.30, until the potato season kicks off towards the end of January.  Needless to say, we will still be pleased to enjoy your company and custom, and the cake baking and tea brewing will be continuing, although you may well find us huddled together around the stove.  As always, if visiting on a Sunday is a major problem for any of our members, please feel free to get in touch and we will see what we can do to help.

Speaking of potatoes, panic seems to have been spreading throughout the area following our failure, this year, to send out an order form.  In case you are wondering, no – it is not too late to place an order.  A form is available to download from the Society website, or you can place an order in person, on a Sunday.

Seed modules and root trainers: one of our members has discovered a company that supplies heavy duty plastic seed-raising modules and root trainers.  They appear to be very durable and long lasting, although this is also obviously reflected in the price.   As such, we are not in a position to hold a large stock, but thought that it would definitely be something that members would be interested in, with a view to reducing the amount of single use plastic in gardening.  We would, however, be prepared to place a large order, and consequently negotiate a discount, if there are enough people wanting to purchase them through us.  We have got a set of samples in the hut, if you want to have a look.  Definitely a possibility for Santa to consider on your behalf, for you or for that special person in your life!

Hope that you didn’t get washed away last weekend, and trust that the coming frosts will improve your soil, and curb the enthusiasm of your slugs.  And we obviously look forward to seeing you and your winter woollies soon.

Debbie

(on behalf of the volunteer team)

2020 Seed Potato & Onion Order Form

Setting the scene, crikey and cricket

Setting the scene
 
With all thoughts of a warm and sunny autumn fading, you may have already found yourself reaching towards the central heating “on” switch. “But it’s only September!”, I hear you wail.  Whatever!  I have to advise you that quick-off-the-mark members (those rare, optimistic souls) have been beating a path to the hut, in order to carry off the prize of next year’s harvest.  Paper bags containing the holy grail of overwintering onions, shallots and garlic have been flying off the shelves, and other delights such as broad beans, peas and green manure are likewise generating much interest.  Safe to say, though, that we have not yet sold out, and there should be plenty for everyone.

Onion info cobbled from internet:
Onions can be grown following on from potatoes.
Rake in general purpose fertiliser a week before planting.
Allegedly, onions prefer firm soil, so if yours is too well dug (ha ha), you could stomp up and down on it for a bit of exercise.
Sets should be planted 1” deep so that just the tip is showing.  September, October or November.
The early bird can mistake onions for worms, so you can cut off the wormy bit, or just keep bunging them back in. Mind you, I swear that some of my onions spontaneously throw themselves out of the soil, as they have been found languishing on the surface when the birds have been carefully excluded.
ALLIUM LEAF MINERS are not to be messed with.  These now appear to be commonplace across our area.  The only defence seems to be careful covering of beds to stop the blighters getting in to lay their eggs on your onions in the first place.  The egg laying period is reported as being the end of April, and October and November.  Believe that if you will.  I cover mine from beginning to end.

Crikey?
Well I’m afraid it’s that time again.  THE POTATO etc ORDER FORM will shortly be available.  As always, we recommend that you pre-order your preferred spuds to avoid disappointment in the spring and the order form will be appearing on our website, or can be collected from the hut.
Which brings me onto cricket.

Cricket?
Bet you’re stumped by this reference… Well, if the Cricket World Cup Final had you on the edge of your seats, you would have been bowled over to witness the Potato Bucket super over.  Some competitors had already gone for an early tea when bad light had stopped play and their potato foliage had withered.   Others managed a slightly longer innings.  So, the crowds gathered on the slopes of Hagg Hill last weekend to watch the final ball of the match with baited breath, and the last bucket was unceremoniously tipped into the society wheelbarrow for scrutiny.  An imaginary fanfare preceded the declaration of the winners:

Winner and Man of the Match (largest total weight)  John McConnan  3.955kg
Winner and Man of the Match (heaviest single potato)  Malcolm Lee 0.325kg

Congratulations and the firing of party poppers to them both!
Eagle-eyed members have been quick to point out that this is suspiciously similar to the results from last year, give or take the reversal of the titles.  Honours even, then, and John, at least, has thrown down the gauntlet for best of three.  Hmmmm.

And the variety?  Well!  Much speculation took place during the span of the competition.  I would like to say that the variety was carefully chosen. Cough.  Say no more…  It was, in fact, King Edwards and I will leave this subject with a direct quote from the omnipresent internet.
“The key disadvantage to King Edward potatoes is that the crop is not one of the largest, although not one of the smallest either.”  Ho hum.
 
Hope to see you soon – tea and cake still usually available!
 
Debbie
(on behalf of the volunteer team)

Brussels spouts.......

 

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MAY 18^th and 19^th

 

If talks about Brexit are getting you down, perhaps you should get out more.  Come on down to next weekend’s Plant Sale where talks about border controls will be confined to the delights of companion planting, and Brussels (and broccoli) will be sprouting rather than spouting.  We still have various vegetables and tomatoes seeking a good home, and who knows what flowery delights will turn up on the day?   Courgettes and beans have been the usual runaway sales items, but new recruits are being put through their paces in the poly tunnel, even as we speak.  Once again, if you are finding yourself facing the painful experience of discarding excess seedlings, we might be able to find them a new owner.

 

Volunteer opportunities kick off at about 5pm on Friday, when the gazebo operatives will be swinging into action like a well-oiled machine. If you fancy throwing in your considered opinion as to which leg is supposed to go where, or, better still, throwing your weight behind the construction team – you we will be very welcome.

 

Sales commence at 9.30 Saturday , through to 2ish, and the whole shebang will be repeated on Sunday.  Tea and cake will be available throughout, and you are bound to stumble across something that you didn’t know that you needed but now find that you can’t live without.   

 

A massive THANK YOU to the volunteers who turned out last time, and to those kind members who also donated cakes.  The first Plant Sale weekend was a great success, and we acknowledge that this is always very much a team effort.   Unfortunately, a few faces will be missing from the team next weekend, so if you are able to spare an hour or two it could definitely make a difference.   No experience necessary!  Furthermore, donations of plants and/or cakes will be very gratefully received at any point during the hours of sales.

 

Visit the Plant Sale next weekend?  Or you could just keep on listening to the news.  And getting annoyed.  Or gloomy.  Or both, but probably more so.  You could just Brexit proof your veg patch and don’t let the abysmal mess that the country appears to be in get you down! 

 

Debbie

(on behalf of the volunteer team)

May the forth.....

be with you!

On an allotment site not so far, far away, we will be holding the first of our Annual Plant Sales, next weekend.  Between 9.30am and 1.30ish, Saturday and Sunday, seedlings and plants will be seeking new homes, after a roller coaster of a spring spent in the poly tunnel.  As usual, an eclectic mix of vegetables and flowers will be available for purchase, and, if today’s email from Dobies is anything to go by, there should be plenty of bargains.  (We willNOT be offering you 22 value beetroot plugs for 7.99 plus postage, tempting though it is!)

We very much hope that you will be able to join us at some point, or indeed two weeks later when we will be enjoying our second stint.  We always welcome the opportunity to catch up with old friends, and the kettle should be on until close of play. There should also be a few morsels of cake if all goes to plan.    

If you have the time to volunteer you will be especially welcome!  The society depends heavily on the goodwill of a small band of people, and you will appreciate that the Plant Sales are a vital source of income for us.  Many of you will also be aware that this has taken a slightly more critical twist this year with the introduction of some unwanted air conditioning in the roof of the hut. Thanks to a visiting pick axe, we are no longer watertight, and morale has also taken a bit of a hit.

The Sales can be pretty hectic at times, and if you can spare an hour or two it will make a difference.  Just turn up, or drop us an email. 

Friday – we will be setting up from about 4.15pm.  The erection of the gazebos always draws a crowd of flabbergasted onlookers…

Saturday and Sunday – from 8.15am – we will be labelling, serving, selling, carrying, advising (yeah, really…) until about 2.30pm.

May 4^th and 5^th, and May 18^th and 19^th.

Additionally, donations will be welcome at any point during the weekends – surplus veg seedlings, plants and cakes.

Please spread the word to friends, family and anyone else you think would be interested, and we will be pleased to see you at the Plant Sales, or indeed any time!

Cote de Hagg - and eyeing up the opposition

A reminder to all of our keen customers who are planning to flock to the hut this weekend, in order to celebrate the fine spring weather.  The hills will once again be filled with the sound of cowbells, and puffing and panting, as the brave and the good cyclists of our city tackle the seven hills.  Road closures have been flagged up in our area, and we know that the racers should be setting off from the bottom of Hagg Hill at around 9.50.  In the past, the road has been closed for about 30 minutes over this period.  As usual, the Allotment volunteers will be lining the pavement and cheering on the participants, and, if you would like to join us, we will certainly be putting the kettle on when the peddlers have flashed by, and the excitement has died down.  In case you are worried,  you certainly won’t miss it if you blink!

Meanwhile, most of us are somewhat less energetic, but are nevertheless entering into the competitive spirit, and have our eyes on the prize of potato glory.  More than 30 members have, so far, signed up for the potato-in-a-bucket competition, and Malcolm Lee (one of our triumphant entrants last year) has kindly agreed to share some of the secrets of his success.  He writes:

"These are just my own methods which work for me.  Other methods work just as well for other people.

Potatoes prefer well-drained, light, deep, loose soil, high in organic matter with a pH between 4.8 and 5.5.  A mix of ⅓ ericaceous compost to ⅔ general purpose compost seems OK to get this reduced pH.  Add the compost gradually to the bucket as the potato tops grow and once the compost is at the top of the bucket mulch with wood chippings.

For fertilisers mix some Growmore and some sulphate of potash into the compost mix.  Prepare the compost/fertiliser mixture at least a week ahead of planting, water it and keep it damp until used.  Once the tubers begin to grow use liquid tomato feed.  It’s important to maintain watering once this stage is reached.  

Set the bucket into soil so the drainage holes are below the soil surface.  Using crocks in the bottom of the bucket seems to inhibit root growth through the drainage holes into the surrounding soil which also needs a dose of fertiliser.

 There is only one way to find out if Malcolm’s advice is sound, and if you have not yet picked up 2 competition potatoes, we still have a few left.  Go on.  You know you want to!!!!  Oh, and of course we can help you out with Growmore, sulphate of potash etc etc!"

Apart from all that, we are now entering seedling season, and preparing for the Plant Sales.  This year these will be held on May 4th and 5th, and 18th and 19th.  Veg seedlings will be available to purchase as soon as they have been pricked out, if you want to get ahead of the game.  At the same time, we will be pleased to help you re-home any surplus seedlings that you may find yourself with!

Finally, news of yet another delivery.  This time it wasn’t pallets of compost and potatoes, but a second beautiful daughter for Eric and Emmajane.  Agatha has already started volunteer duties at the hut, of course!  Many congratulations to her mum and dad, and to big sister, Ingrid.

Hope to see you soon.
Debbie, on behalf of the volunteer team.

Crosspool Open Gardens 2019

Crosspool Open Gardens 2019 

Vegetable & Bedding Plant Sales

Ready & Weighting

The hut is now bursting at the seams with our winter delivery, and this comes as an urgent call to please collect your orders of potatoes and oniony stuff as soon as possible.  We are now open oth Saturday and Sunday mornings from next weekend.

 

If you are still thinking about making your purchase of potatoes and oniony stuff, we suggest that you do not delay!  We will be pleased to give you a conducted tour of what we have – most varieties are still available, but you need to get a move on!   

 

Many thanks, also, to the valiant band of volunteers who turned up on Friday to help with the unloading, and making up the orders.  Your help was much appreciated

The weight is over......almost

It’s a fine crisp day at the moment, but I will not waffle on… 

This Fryday, January 25^th,  we will be wedging the door open to receive our delivery of seed potatoes, onions, shallots etc, heralding the start of our 2019 allotment and garden growing season.   As always, this email comes as an invitation to all members to don your jackets and to come and join us as we chip away at unloading the lorry, and then to process the sacks of spuds.  Extra sets of scales are always welcome to help relieve the crush, and to ensure that we do not make too much of a hash of things.

 

Delivery : due at 9, so arrival by 8.45 is helpful.

Kettle: bubbling and squeaking from 9.15.

Cake: still in the recipe book at the moment

Weighing and packing: 9.30 onwards, and probably done by 11.

 

All orders should be available to collect on SUNDAY JANUARY 27^th, between 9.30 and 12.30.  Please note that we have been advised by our supplier that shortages of both seed potatoes and onion sets have been widely reported this year.  We are hopeful that we will be able to supply all of our orders, but, at this stage, we  are unable to guarantee that all varieties will actually be available in the quantities that we have requested.  Obviously we will do our very best to please as many members as we can.

 

If you have not placed an order yet, there will be plenty of potatoes available to purchase on Sunday, and we suggest that you hot-foot it to the hut as soon as you can to make your selection.  The same obviously applies to onions, shallots, garlic and other stuff!

 

From February 2^nd, we should also be opening on Saturday mornings as well as Sundays, 9.30 -12.30 as usual.

 

And finally, don’t forget to join our bucket list.  John and Malcolm will be striving to retain their potato-growing crowns, and we hope that you will harness that surge of potato-envy productively this year.  A spot of water during the growing season also helps, apparently…  Yes.  We are proud to announce the continuation of our annual potato in a bucket competition (year 2!) and hope you will give it a bash.  A mere 3.50 sterling will secure you a free bucket, and 2 potatoes of a particular variety that we will keep a secret!  (My computer refuses to do pound signs any more.  Sorry!)  If you purchased a competition bucket last year, we are currently discussing a discount option! 

Malcolm has produced some helpful growing hints (or so he says…) and we hope to get these onto the blog spot shortly.

 

Hope to see you on Fryday if you are free.

 

Debbie

(on behalf of the slightly tatty volunteer team)