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at the Trading Hut. It was nice to see the Plotholders that turned up. ---------------------------------------- If you click on this link http://www.sitbonzo.com/garden/ you will be able to see an interview with Cindy Stott and the students while they were there. It is really good!! (To get back to the Bensham Manor Allotments Website just click back! on your web browser after you have seen the interview) The celebration of 125 years of gardening in the Bensham Manor area of Thornton Heath has been a RESOUNDING success. Following weeks of rain when the weekend came the weather seemed to be set fair and it was. We bathed in sunshine all day long. For those wonderful committee members and the band of staunch volunteers who have taken this project to their hearts the day started at the allotments at 7a.m. Some of us the day had started a couple of hours earlier and for some they did not bother sleeping at all the night before but put heart and soul into achieving those extra cakes and finishing touches. Stallholders started to arrive by 7.15 and by 10.00 when the public started walking in the place was buzzing. Literally as we had a demonstration hive set up by Croydon Bees and one of our own Beekeepers on hand to explain the workings of the hive. The Cat Protection League, the Waterfowl and Wildlife Trust of Barnes, and a run of Ferrets made sure the animal kingdom was well represented. Bric a Brac, Books, BBQ and Beer Tent were kept busy throughout the day, with specialist stalls of Create the Mood, a Local History Society and Face painting ensuring there was plenty of interest for the whole family. Then "our Chris" was working his legs off giving Tricycle rides to children. We reckon he did 38 circuits of our site, no wonder he looked tired at the end. Then of course were our normal cakes, jams, plants and fresh vegetables donated by so many of our plot holders which always proves so popular. Live Music was provided by 2 groups, Tuff the Band Rock, R&B from all eras and Greg and partner playing Bagpipes, Fiddle, Bodrun drum and Guitar with their range of folk Celtic and Classic music. Both groups of musicians were a real bonus to our day. In between the live music Colin Prime (our Webmaster) provided our background music and MC'd the event. All in all it was a FANTASTIC DAY, the committee and helpers know it could not have happened without their full support but then we also needed you the public to come along and enjoy and from reports I heard that is exactly what you did. Lets hope we all can meet up again soon in a similar convivial atmosphere. THANK YOU! Mags Jones. Chairperson __________________________________________________________________ Hints on Allotment Growing Unfortunately it binds to the crop and passes through cattle to be excreted in the urine. So we get some manure from a farmer or a stable to improve the soil fertility and this stuff is in it. The first you know is when your potatoes or beans are dying. I really can't over state how serious this is. It will change the way we grow. I've written an article about it and will post updates as I find out more: http://www.allotment.org.uk/manure.htm While I am issuing warnings, if you keep some hens, please remember that heat is more of a danger than cold to them. On sunny days, it's critical that they have enough water and shade. Chickens are jungle fowl and keeping them under a tree or large bush not only makes them feel secure but also keeps them cool. Keeping them in the middle of a lawn in the sun stresses them both physically and mentally. If you're thinking of keeping hens or would like to learn more, then a training day could be the answer for you. I've set up a page where people offering courses can have their own web page to advertise and we're looking for more. If you are interested in going on a course then take a look. If you know someone offering a course, please point them to the page we need more onboard. http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/chicken-course/ Hardly seems possible does it? Yet the plants know. That's why Chinese cabbage like Pak Choi and salad rocket are ideal for sowing now and the garlic and onions are bulbing up as they prepare for the winter. If you planted garlic in the early spring or as I did, at the end of last year, it's nearly ready now. You may well think of garlic as a strong flavour, but when it's slightly immature and freshly pulled, its actually quite mild and can be eaten as a side vegetable. It's lovely roasted with a little olive oil and it still wards off vampires. Keep a close eye on your potato crop. There have been a few scattered reports of blight, which really depends on the weather. So far, touch wood, not in our area but you never know. There's an article on potato blight here: http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/potato/potato-blight.php We've had some new sections on the web site over the last month Val's recipes section has become really popular, especially the jams and preserves so Lakeland have stepped in as a sponsor. They have quite a range of useful kitchenware and Val's listed a lot in the allotment shop that you might find useful. They've a sale on at the moment as well. Talking of site sponsors, Taylors Garden Buildings are offering an excellent range of quality poultry housing on the site. Their prices are keen and if you find something cheaper elsewhere they will try to match or beat it. http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk/chicken-coop-ark/ I've been twisting retailer’s arms for us as well. We've got quite a few exclusive offers out of them as the site is so popular they want your business and are willing to give a bit to encourage you.I got 5% off Unwins Seeds, Gardens and Homes Direct, 12% off Rowlawn and offers on Mantis Tillers, Petmeds, Garden Machinery Direct and Mowdirect. Full details and listing of all offers at: http://www.allotment.org.uk/greenhouse/Offers/ That's about it for this month, do read the article on the manure problem if you can and I hope you are not affected by it. Allotment Growing http://www.allotment.org.uk The Poultry Pages http://www.poultry.allotment.org.uk John Harrison, 45 Windermere Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 8RJ, UNITED KINGDOM |
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