NOVEMBER 2008

 

Chairman’s Comment

 

First of all I want to apologise for my absence of late. Things have been a bit intense at work over the past few months but I am glad to say that the situation has now been resolved. Thank you to all those people who kept in touch and for all your kind words. It was really appreciated.

 

However, I have been back this week and I am glad to say that after three hard days slog, my plot is back in good order and ready for the winter. Even the Chairman of an Allotment Society gets a letter when plots get out of hand. And quite right too!

 

I know I have been a little out of circulation but was pleased to learn that the recent MacMillan’s Tea Party was a great success and raised over a £100. This is another fantastic achievement and once again shows the importance of our site being at the heart of the community. Thank you to all those who made this event a great success.

 

We are hosts to another important event on Monday 24th November at 7.00pm when the local Police hold another 'ALLOTMENT WATCH' meeting. This is an extremely valuable event and I invite as many people as possible to attend. In view of the ongoing 'Credit Crunch' there is no doubt that we are liable to receive unwelcome visits from those people who would like to take advantage of ready made meals that are in abundance on our site. Please make every effort to attend, I’m sure it will to the benefit of us all.

 

I am in full preparation for the Christmas Fayre on 13th December and the Pumpkin Soup is made. I have started to sort out the decorations for the Grotto which will be situated in the Compost Hut as it was last year and I trust that Dennis, err I mean Santa, is dusting off and pressing his costume for this year. I am told that Rudolf and the other Reindeers are all doing well whilst on their pre Christmas break at Sutton Park Donkey Sanctuary. 

 

I trust that the Jam, Pickles and Cake makers are also doing their stuff.

 

I was sorry to learn that a number of members have given up their plots. However, with new applicants waiting in the wings, the plots will soon be snapped up which demonstrates the high esteem in which our site is regarded by local residents who yearn to become members of our group.

 

Two plot holders deserve a particular mention. Ann and Pete Newey have relinquished their plot, which is sad news, but they have not left the Society which is great news. Ann and Pete will continue to support the Society and Pete will maintain his role on the Committee which is of immense value to both the members  and  plot holders

 

 

Andy

 

The Committee

 

 

Chairman/Events Organizer..…… …….. Andy Poyner

 

Vice Chairman ……………………………...….Phil Savage

 

Secretary……………………….…….…….....Dave Hubball

 

Treasurer……………………………………...…Lin Claxton

 

Newsletter Editor...................................Peter Newey

 

Store/Plot Co-ordinator…………..………..Ros Marshall

 

Website Co-ordinator………………..….Lesley Sherburn

 

 

 Cheryl Butler        Dennis Ryder          Paul Moore

 

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Charity Nominations

 

We are now inviting plot holders to nominate charities that you feel should benefit from our fund raising events planned for next year.  If you have a particular charity in mind, please put, in writing, the details of the charity and hand it in to the office or to any committee member no later then 30^th November.  Once all the nominations have been received, a ballot sheet will be drawn up and sent out to all plot holders next month.

 

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Jayson Heralds His Triumphant

 

Journey

 

 

Jayson Murray (plot 49) along with his 2 co-drivers, Terry and Rob, would like to thank everyone who sponsored them on their epic drive around the country to raise funds for the R.N.L.I.  As members of “Club Triumph” they participated in the “Round Britain Reliability Run”.

 

In his classic 1970 Triumph Herald Estate, they drove from Great Barr to London to John o’ Groats to Lands End and back home, a distance of around 2000 miles in 48 hours. In total they raised in the region of £500 for the charity.

 

A Triumphant achievement , well done Jayson,

 

Terry and Bob !

 

Poppy Appeal

 

“And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country's call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember - and give!”

 

Poppies are available in the shop

 

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Obituary

 

It was with sadness that we recently learned of the passing of two of our fellow growers.

 

Don Birch (plot 21) passed away in September and Mick Freeman (formerly plot 17) passed away early in October. Mick was a plot holder for many years until 1999.

 

Our condolences go out to their families.

 

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Outstanding Rents

 

We wish to remind plot holders who have not yet paid their rent that you have until 9^th November to pay. Failure to do so could result in you losing your plot.

 

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Wanted…

 

Volunteers to help in the shop at weekends.

 

If you can spare any time at all, no matter how small, we would be very grateful. 

 

Please see Ros to arrange.

 

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LIBRARY  

 

We have a small library in the office – various gardening books are  available for short-term loan.  There is no charge for this; all we ask is that the books are returned in the same condition as borrowed.

 

Things to do this month

 

Protect cauliflower curds by folding over the leaves. This will delay opening of the flowers and keep the curds compact.

 

Begin to pick early Brussel sprouts. Pick the biggest ones from the bottom of the stem upwards and stake any plants that are likely to be disturbed by strong winds.

 

Lift and store all remaining root crops still in the ground now such as carrots, swede, beetroot and turnips.

Finish clearing crop remains and compost them

 

Continue to gather up fallen leaves to make your own leafmould

 

Stored crops should be checked regularly for signs of disease. Dispose of any showing signs of rot so it doesn’t get a chance to spread.

 

Clean pots and seed trays now to make the spring rush less frantic.

 

Start a compost trench - Bury kitchen waste or unwanted crops at about a spade’s depth, preferably where the runner beans will grow next year. Cover the waste with soil, as soon as you add it, to prevent foxes or other animals from scavenging

Winter Cover, Make sure that bare ground is covered. Autumn leaves make a good winter mulch spread over the soil protecting it from heavy rainfall. You can use leaves collected last autumn, or, when they fall, this year's fresh supply

 

 

           

 

 

 

                               

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wanted

 

We are in need of Bottles of Wine to put up as prizes on the Tombola Stall at our Christmas Fayre.  If anybody would like to contribute, your generosity would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you

 

Keep on sowing

 

Carry on sowing and planting for autumn and winter cropping, and for early harvests next season. Use cloches, cold frames, greenhouses and polytunnels to maintain growth over winter in cooler areas.

 

Garlic

 

Plant in November, or even later on light soils. The sooner the better for the best crop. It is preferable to plant named varieties of garlic, such as Thermidrome and Printantor, rather than using left-over cloves from garlic bought from the greengrocer. This will avoid the risk of introducing disease, and help ensure you are growing a variety suited to the UK. Some varieties of garlic, such as Printanor, can also be planted in early spring, but will give much better yields if it goes through a cold period over winter.

 

Broad Beans

 

Broad beans are traditionally sown in autumn (late October to early December) for an early summer crop. Autumn sown plants are also less attractive to blackfly. But their success can be variable; mice and wet conditions can cut plant numbers considerably. Sow in November in a well drained spot. Dress soil with a potash fertiliser if chocolate spot disease is a regular problem. Use extra hardy cultivars such as Super Aquadulce, Aquadulce Claudia, Imperial Green Longpod, or The Sutton (a bush variety good for small gardens under a cloche). If autumn sown crops tend to fail in your garden, don't despair; some of the spring sown cultivars can produce a crop that is almost as early.

Hardy Peas

 

Round seeded, hardy peas can be sown now for a June crop. Suitable varieties include Douce Provence, Feltham First, Meteor and Pilot. They can also be sown in the spring. Pea seeds are a favourite with mice, so it is not worth sowing them now where mice are a problem.

 

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My wife's a water sign.  I'm an earth sign. Together we make mud.

 

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A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill,  except learning how to grow in rows

 

 

Pest & Disease Watch

 

Brassica whitefly can be a problem in some areas depending on the weather. Although winter brassica crops (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage etc) can usually cope with this pest, the very warm autumn this year has allowed the pest to build up to dramatic numbers, rather than showing a decline as is more common at this time of year.

 

Where infestations are severe, a couple of sprays of insecticidal soap may be necessary. Use a good quality sprayer – preferably one with a lance - and try to spray in the cool of the morning when the whitefly are less active. Pick off any yellowing lower leaves before you spray, and remember to spray under the leaves too

 

Net Brussels sprouts, broccoli and other winter brassicas to protect them from pigeon damage. Secure the base to prevent any birds getting caught up in the netting and support the nets with canes to prevent damage to the plants.

Leek rust - a fungal disease of leeks. Red/orange pustules develop on the leaves and stems. Cold weather can halt the progress of this disease. In a mild autumn the disease may continue to develop, turning leaves yellow and resulting in reduction of plant size.

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ROOT VEGETABLE ROSTI

 

2 medium parsnips

2 large carrots

3 large potatoes

6oz (125g) Edam or Gruyere

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to medium heat 200C, 400F, Gas Mark 6.  Grease a baking pan.  Metal is best as it turns out a bit crisper.

Christmas Meal

 

 

All places for the Christmas meal have now been filled. The menu will be sent out to all participants som

etime during the next couple of weeks.

 

 

 

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