A cold, wet Spring – please store rainwater
It has been a frustrating start to the growing season. Following a very wet winter, the Spring has been cold and wet so far. One of the few upsides of this weather is the opportunity to collect and store free rainwater. Rainwater is also renewable and zero-carbon (unlike tap water) with fewer chemicals than the mains we pay Anglian Water. To help our members make the most of this rain, here are a few reminders:
- Any plot with a polytunnel must have at least 1000litres of rainwater storage (Rule 70)
- All sheds and applicable structures must have guttering and rain pipes connected to collect and store rainwater
- Field Stewards will be touring their sites, checking plots for the above
- 1000 litre IBC water tanks are available, delivered to your plot – Contact Wayne on 07745 109380 – remember to ask for a spout!
- Another supplier of IBC tanks delivered is Roy –phone Roy on 07515 915 197
- Many members use old grey wheelie bins to collect rainwater
- Please familiarise yourself with our water conservation guidelines
Now is the time to prepare for the next drought!
Northfield Avenue update
Harry Pope has retired from his allotment and stepped down from the committee and his role as a steward. We wish him and June well. They are now concentrating on their back garden and have created vegetable beds there. Sarah Taylor has also left Northfield Avenue. The remaining steward is Laurence Watters; he is working hard to maintain the site and several committee members are supporting him. The committee is looking for volunteers from Northfield Avenue members to join the stewarding team. Training and induction will be provided. If you are a Northfield Avenue tenant and would like to help out in any way, please get in touch.
Rhubarb Recipe
If you have a lot of rhubarb and not enough time to make crumble, try the following idea for a quick and easy substitute.
- Wash and cut a stick of rhubarb into small chunks (2cm approx)
- Place chunks in a microwave ready bowl
- Add a spoonful of chopped dates to sweeten
- For extra sweetness, you can add a teaspoon of jam, or honey or sugar
- Place lid on microwave dish
- microwave on full power for 2 minutes (longer if you prefer rhubarb mushy, less if you like al-dente)
- spoon cooked rhubarb into serving dishes
- sprinkle granola on the top
- eat
- May be served with cream, custard, yogurt or ice cream
Mandatory Poultry Registration
This is COMPULSORY from October 1st 2024
In England and Wales keepers need to register their birds ahead of the legal deadline on 1 October 2024.
Although at the moment the form still reads Voluntary registration! BUT IT WILL BE COMPULSORY AFTER 1st October
You can read more on this link
National Allotments Magazine available
Click on the link to read the latest magazine from NAS
A Great New Website launched
Local couple, David and Claire have launched their Growmad website after developing it for ten years. It is very comprehensive and easy to use. One if its distinctive features is the Product and Seed Directory where you can search for any kind of seed or garden product easily. David and Claire are especially keen to get feedback from users on how they find the experience of using Growmad. Also, please consider subscribing to the Growmad YouTube channel.
Join our Facebook Group
All members of Kettering Allotments Society are welcome to join our Facebook Group. Please note that it is a private group and not open to non-members. When applying to join, you MUST answer all of the membership questions before the administrator will allow you to join.
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