January 2022 Allotment News

Best wishes for 2022. We hope that the New Year is better than the last two years.

Please pay your 2022 Rent now

Thank you to everyone who has already paid rent early. This is much appreciated.

Click on the link for how to pay. If you have any questions about rent, please contact the treasurer, John Burn on allotment.moneyman@gmail.com or 07745 363 236

If you do not pay your rent, your tenancy will be terminated and your plot will be let to someone on the waiting list.

Allotment Rents – how to pay 2022

Northfield Avenue- some disruption expected soon

Work by Western Power to install new 33 000 Volt cables underground along the riding track will start soon. This work is needed to upgrade the electricity supply network for the town of Kettering and is vital to the infrastructure and keeping the lights on. Please be patient whilst the trench is being dug and cables installed.

Welcome Sarah

We have another field steward for Northfield Avenue. Sarah Taylor on plot 29 is going the stewarding team and will be working with Harry Pope. If Northfield Avenue members have any questions or comments please contact Sarah and Harry in the first instance.

Buy a water tank now to collect winter rain

Available from Roy at Windermere Logs. Thousand litre IBC water tanks – for £45 including delivery phone Roy on 07515 915 197 or email Roy at windermere.logs@gmail.com

https://www.windermere-logs.co.uk/

Importance of soil

A fascinating and informative summary from the BBC and Royal Society

https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/why-soil-is-one-of-the-most-amazing-things-on-eart/p090cf64

Prepare for floods if winter rain is heavy (Margaret Road)

Please do what you can to prepare for floods near the River Ise on Margaret Road. For example, removing tools from sheds now, so they are not damaged if it floods during the winter.

Allotments can be as productive as farms

Click on this link for an interesting article from the Guardian newspaper

Alpaca manure now £2 (price increase)

We have been informed by Rachel that her alpaca manure is now £2 per bag. To arrange purchase and collection from Broughton, contact Rachel on 07590 610056

We recommend Kings Seeds

Kings Seeds have a great range and good prices.

Allotment Rents – how to pay 2022

December 2021 allotment news

Rents for 2022 due in January

Annual rents are due on 1st January. You can pay now if you want. The 2022 rents are unchanged from 2021, so most members will pay the same as last year.  A few members have will pay less or more – some have reduced the size of their plots to allow people on the waiting list to get an allotment. Some plots on Margaret Road top riding were re-measured and the new rents will reflect these more accurate size of plots. If you are not sure how much to pay, contact the treasurer on 07745 363 236 or email allotment.moneyman@gmail.com

How to pay your rent for 2022

There are 2 ways- online banking or posting a cheque to the Treasurer. Details of how to pay are on this link – see the link at the top https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/allotment-rents/

Investing in Margaret Road 

After months of planning, approval from the committee and a budget allocation, our Margaret Road car parks and turning areas have now been improved considerably. The car parks have now been levelled and resurfaced with hard standing. The work was done on November 18th. Many thanks to Peter New and the other Margaret Road stewards for their hard work.

Adapting to climate change – some ideas

After a dry autumn we are now getting rain. This is the ideal time to collect free rainwater for next year. Our weather pattern has changed in recent years, perhaps due to Climate Change. The pattern we experience now is long periods of dry weather alternating with very wet spells – droughts and deluges. Two things we can do to cope with this weather are

1. Mulching the soil so it behaves like a sponge – see link
2. Collecting rainwater in the deluges for use in the droughts

Kev at Scott Road has made a clever collection system on an IBC tank. Well done Kev

IBCs are available for sale

IBCs are available for sale at £45 delivered to your plot by Roy Edmunds at Windermere Logs

Contact Roy on 07515 915 197

The cost is great value for money – only £45

or email Roy at windermere.logs@gmail.com

https://www.windermere-logs.co.uk/

Other consequences of wet winters

Margaret Road in particular is vulnerable to winter flooding. Last winter some plots were thigh-deep in water. We suggest that you prepare now, by moving any tools and equipment to secure and dry locations now, so they will not be damaged if it floods again this winter.

Another consequence of wet weather in winter is that some ridings may be closed to protect the grass. Please respect the signs

Latest from National Allotments (NSALG)- click on the link. Kettering Allotments are on page 49

https://mailchi.mp/nsalg.org.uk/v8jh161bg6-5361230?e=b13995087f

Bird Flu (avian influenza)

Measures came into force on 29 November to protect poultry from bird flu. See HM Government websites for details.

 

Why is it important to remove crop residues?

These unharvested crops were left on an allotment. Each had been partly eaten by rats – see the teeth marks on the butternut. Our advice is to remove all crops, even spoiled ones, and place in your green/grey wheelie bin at home. This will reduce plants diseases and rat problems on our plots.

rat teeth marks on discarded crops

November 2021 Allotment News

2021 Allotment Prize winners and Councillor Dez

Remember, remember, now it’s November

and the 5th of November is traditional bonfire time

Remember that we discourage bonfires. It is better to compost most allotment waste, such as weeds. Thorny pruning (eg blackberry) are difficult to compost without shredding, but can be useful if placed in gaps around our boundaries to improve security (deter unwelcome visitors).

Margaret Road and Scott Road have now set up designated bonfire areas. These are locations that are far from our neighbours’ houses and set away from sheds. Members can bring their woody allotment waste to these designated sites. Bonfires at these locations will be less of a nuisance than many smaller fires on individual plots. See stewards for more details. 

Remember that if you do plan a bonfire on 5th November then make sure you risk assess and follow our

health and safety guidelines.

http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/safety.html

Rents for 2022- Good News

The annual rents will be due on 1st January 2022

Good news! The committee has decided to keep the rents the same

NO RENT INCREASE for 2022

Media coverage in the Evening Telegraph

click on the link below

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/northants-telegraph-sunday-extra-refugees-universal-credit-and-a-virtual-reality-festival-3402101?fbclid=IwAR1LiVU6ZPv0KzK4oqI0uP6qOH2svLuOl9hbrkP83w7vFuav3vzI9LImk1c

Remember to stay COVID safe 

Please keep observing safety precautions to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Allotments are just about the safest place to be with regard to Covid, but please keep your distance when talking to people, even outdoors. If you test positive, stay at home and isolate. None of us know who will be more vulnerable once infected.

Bulk buying straw 

J A Knight & Son of Walgrave 01604 781630 

jaknightfarms.co.uk

a delivery of 21 bales of straw from J A Knight farms

Click here for our Other offers and discounts

 

October ends with a storm

On the morning of Halloween, the fence at our Windmill Avenue site was blown down by the high winds. Several trees in the neighbourhood were also blown down. Many thanks to George (our field steward) and other Windmill Avenue members who have straightened the fence. George and the team are now planning a more permanent repair to this fence.

Some other interesting links and articles… (click on the links)

How Composting Changed my Life

https://www.treehugger.com/how-composting-changed-life-5207213

How to protect garden soil over the winter months

https://www.treehugger.com/protecting-soil-garden-winter-5200729

Gardening Good for mental health newspaper article

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/problem-solving/anxiety-swallowed-peace-mind-whole-found-gardening/

Looking after winter squash in storage

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/oct/02/smashing-pumpkins-how-to-cure-and-store-squash-for-winter

Which is the best composting method for you?

https://www.treehugger.com/which-type-composting-right-you-5204600

December 2020 Allotment News

It’s Official – allotments are good for you

See the newspaper article below…

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/08/its-official-allotments-are-good-for-you-and-for-your-mental-health

2021 Rents due soon – click this link for how to pay.

Our annual rents are due on 1st January. Please see the link above for how to pay. The easiest way to pay is online banking. Typical rents for 2021 are £32 for a large 10 pole plot and £17 for a 5 pole plot. If you are not sure how much to pay, contact the Treasurer on  07745 363 236

Treasurer’s email = allotment.moneyman@gmail.com or phone  07745 363 236

Margaret Road stewards

Recently we announced the retirement of Sue and Tony Munt after many years of service on our committee. Many thanks to Sue and Tony.

For Margaret Road members, the first point of contact is your steward. Each ride has a steward and we are appointing new stewards. Many thanks for the kind offers and the hard work of the stewards listed below:

For the first ride, (closest to the street) (Margaret Road) your steward is Rachel Moulton 07429 138 114 email rachelmoulton@btinternet.com

For the second and third rides, please contact John Negus on 01536 420 381 email johnnegus@talktalk.net

For the bottom ride please contact John Roberts on 01536 391153 email john.roberts999@googlemail.com

Changed address, phone or email?

If you change address, phone number or email please let us know. We send out rent reminders at this time of year. If you have moved and do not receive your reminder and do not pay we may have to assume you have given up. Our waiting lists are very long, so your tenancy is at risk. 

Leaflets available for newcomers

We have a stock of leaflets produced by the National Allotments Society for new allotment gardeners. They have advice on how to cultivate your plot. If you would like a copy, please contact John Negus on 01536 420 381 email johnnegus@talktalk.net

Marrow and Pumpkin Competition winners 2020 (Margaret Road)

Many thanks to the Margaret Road members who organise a friendly competition every year and judge winners in October. Congratulations to the winners below. Some questions come to mind: 1. are you already preparing for next year? and 2. what can you do with an 82lb pumpkin?

MARROW,PUMPKIN AND RUNNER BEAN RESULTS COMPETITION MARGARET ROAD FIELD held on October 18th 2020

MARROW 1st Mark 21lb 15oz 

2nd Pete 15lb 6oz

3rd Dai 14lb 10oz

RUNNER BEAN 1st John 37cm

2nd Mark 35cm

3rd Jackie 33cm

PUMPKIN 1st Dai 82lb

2nd Pete 54lb 10oz

3rd= Jackie 21lb 15oz

3rd= Pat 21lb 15oz

Thank you to all who made an effort and joined us on the 20th Oct. We hope to see more of you next year.

February 2020 Allotment News

Annual Rents- rule 11B now applies

Many thanks to all of our members who  have paid their rents. These funds keep our society running smoothly. If, however, you have not yet paid, the rent is overdue and rule 11b now applies. This means that if you wish to keep your allotment you must pay two years rent. Alternatively we shall re-let your plot to the person at the top of the waiting list.

Waiting lists moving and goodbye old friend.

Our waiting lists are now moving as we have had confirmation from several retiring members that they no longer wish to continue when their rent reminders arrived. It has been sad to say goodbye to many long-standing plot-holders, including one who is 93 years old and has enjoyed his plot on Scott Road for very many years. On the other hand, people who have been waiting for a plot for several months can now start allotment gardening and continue cultivating the fertile soil of Kettering 

AGM approaching

Our 102nd AGM will be held on Tuesday 10th March at the Corn Market Hall. Please put this date in your diaries. Full details on our website, link below

http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/agm.html

Time to buy seed potatoes

The potatoes are in stock at local garden centres and shops. See the catalogue of the London Road garden shop here. Don’t delay as once they’re gone, they’re gone! Time to get chitting. 

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/2019/10/24/seed-potato-catalogue-2020/

A good time to mulch your plot to prevent hours of weeding in Spring

You can mulch at any time of year. Now is a great time to use mulch as the weeds have not started growing, so mulching now prevents them. There is less to do on the plot now as it is winter. Some suggestions are:

1. Securely placing 100gsm weed control fabric on the soil. No need to dig, just cover and secure it so the wind does not move it. (see photo below)

In the Spring you can roll the fabric up, rake the soil and plant directly, for example make a hole for potatoes or onion sets

Or you can leave the fabric there, cut small holes in the fabric and plant through them into the weed-free soil below the fabric.

2. Cover the ground with cardboard then use a thick layer (at least 4 inches, 10cm) of plant shreddings or straw to completely cover the card. Again, there is no need to dig. In Spring you can plant straight through the composted mulch, or rake it aside and plant into the soil.

Both methods above require no digging, apart from the occasional forking of one or two persistent weed roots 

See links below for photos and more detail

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/using-mulch/

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/easiest-way-to-grow-crops/

January 2020 Allotment News

What’s your 2020 vision?

Welcome to 2020 to all our allotment members and WordPress followers. We hope you had a great 2019 and are looking forward to a new year of gardening. If you would like to share your plans or gardening resolutions for 2020, please contact us. Use the link in the menu above.

Rents Now Due

Our annual rent and membership fees are due now. Many thanks to all those members who have already paid for 2020. If you have not paid yet, please see this link of how to pay, or click on the link in the menu at the top of this page. If you do not pay by the end of January your plot may be re-let to someone on our waiting list.

http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/rent.html

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/allotment-rents/

Membership Records and Contact details

We have been working very hard to keep our records accurate and up to date. Some members have retired from their allotments or reduced the size of their plots so that new members from the waiting list can have a plot. If you are giving up or moving house etc, please contact us so we can amend our records. If you have already given up and are receiving this newsletter by mistake, please accept our apologies and let us know so we can amend our records

Security Concerns

There have been some reports of gates being left open. Please lock all gates as advised by your stewards for your own security. There has also been a case of theft of a polytunnel cover from a Scott Road plot. Please report all incidents to the Police – call 101 or use their online reporting form

https://www.northants.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Longest Parsnip?

It is not often that we see how deep parsnip roots go, as they usually break off when we dig them out. The very wet weather has made the soil very soft and muddy and one of our Northfield Avenue members has harvested some parsnips with all of their roots. Well done Harry!

Network Rail working to improve the railway line near Northfield Avenue.

Hopefully everyone is aware that our railway line to St Pancras is being electrified. This major infrastructure investment is nearing completion. Network Rail will be doing some vital safety work to improve the fence on our boundary with the railway. Please observe all safety instructions if this is near your plot. Remember that the cables are 25 000 Volts, so beware!

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/railway-safety-campaigns/always-on/

Latest news from the National Allotments Society

see their latest newsletter below. See Page 30 for a most interesting article on coping with deluges and droughts

http://online.flipbuilder.com/cwao/mmyn/

December 2019 Allotment News

Rent due soon

Our annual rents are due on 1st January 2020. The rents are the same as last year, no increase. Full details of how to pay are on the page in the menu above 

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/allotment-rents/

If you are giving up and  no longer keeping your allotment, please let us know so we can stop nagging you for rent. We can re-let your plot to someone on the waiting list

Big Compost Experiment

Citizen science project from UCL and BBC radio 4’s Inside Science

The above BBC Radio 4 programme has teamed up with one of the UK’s top universities to conduct a citizen science experiment on composting. Details are in the links below

https://www.bigcompostexperiment.org.uk

https://www.plasticwastehub.org.uk/news/announcing-the-launch-of-the-big-compost-experiment

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009yxv

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/headlines/2019/nov/big-compost-experiment-launched

Seed catalogues

Now is the perfect time to order your seeds. The widest selections are available online. Here are some suggestions:

The Garden Shop in London Road Kettering

Kings Seeds https://www.kingsseeds.com

Real Seeds  https://www.realseeds.co.uk

Seeds of Italy https://seedsofitaly.com

Marshalls https://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk

 

Article Published

The latest edition of the Allotment and Leisure `Gardener magazine from theNational Allotment Society features an article on

Coping with Droughts and Deluges by Russell Attwood (see page 30 of the magazine)

November 2019 allotment news

Floods on Margaret Road

Following the sustained heavy rain over the week ending 26 October the river Ise overflowed and flooded the Margaret Road allotments. This regularly occurs in wet winter periods. See the photo below showing the allotments. many thanks to Sydney for the photo

Clocks change and a new gardening season

We are now in GMT and have the long, dark nights of winter ahead. Gardens have moved from the early autumn of bountiful harvests to late autumn cool. Harvesting is still going on, with Brussels, parsnips and kale entering into their season. Other crops have been stored for use throughout the winter (carrots, potatoes, squash, onions). It is still a busy time on the allotment (if not flooded), and with fewer hours of daylight we have to work hard to get our jobs done before sunset.

Jobs for November (if not flooded!)

• Plant garlic of not already done in October
• Set rat traps in sheds. Peanut-butter is a good bait. Rats will look for warmth and food in our compost bins and sheds as the nights get colder. This is the time to be really vigilant and trap them before they breed and do more damage. Don’t put anything in compost bins that might encourage rats, eg remains of pumpkins after halloween.
• Mulch your plot. Find whatever mulch is available and cover the soil. Ideally put cardboard on first, then mulch. This will decompose nicely over the winter, protect the soil from heavy rain which leaches valuable minerals and turn your topsoil into beautiful compost that you can rake over without digging in the spring next year. See this clip on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3alQs6WK6Ng&feature=youtu.be

• Collect fallen tree leaves for mulch, compost of leaf mould.
• Remove diseased potatoes and take them to your green waste bin at home. This will prevent blight and other pests next year. Damaged potatoes still grow back next year and harbour pests and diseases.
• Harvest leeks, kale, parsnips and sprouts. Also Jerusalem artichokes if you have them.
• Remove the top netting from fruit cages as heavy snow in winter will make it sag.
• Plant soft fruit and miniature fruit trees
• Check stored potatoes, beetroot, carrots, onions, pumpkins for signs of rot
• Check out seed catalogues for next year’s plans

Rent 2020

No rent increase for 2020!

The rents for 2020 will be the same as this year. Another year of prudent financial management has meant our plots remain excellent value.

Details of how and when to pay rent are on this link below

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/allotment-rents/

Marrow Competition Results

Margaret Road members held their annual fun competition recently (on a rainy Sunday)

Here are the results – well done to everyone and thanks for taking part

Pumpkin Competition

Winner = Mary 124 lbs 12 oz (that’s the pumpkin, not Mary)

2nd = Dai 86 lbs 11 oz

3rd = Rebecca 69 lbs 1oz

4th = Stuart and John – 47 lbs 8 oz

5th = Glenda – 16lbs 8oz

Longest Runner Bean Competition

1st Rebecca 46 cm

2nd Dai – 30 cm

3rd Glenda – 25cm

Heaviest Marrow Competition

1st Dai – 11lbs

Here are some recipe ideas for your pumpkins, marrows and squashes

Click on this link for recipes

5th November = Bonfire Night

You are allowed a bonfire on the 5th- but risk-assess and follow the rules

We discourage bonfires, but understand that tradition allows one on the 5th of November. Consider your neighbours and the air pollution. See our guidelines, by clicking on the link below:

http://www.ketteringallotments.co.uk/bonfires.html

Did you know that November 5th is when the air in England is most polluted? Studies have shown that the air pollution is huge because of fireworks and bonfires, so think about athsma patients before you burn.

https://www.kettering.gov.uk/info/20044/pollution/12180/bonfires_and_smoke_nuisance

No-dig gardening film

please watch it – (3 minutes long, so no time for popcorn)

http://www.global9services.com/Russell%20Attwood%20Allotment.mp4

link to potato catalogue

 

Alternative link for the above

January 2019 Allotment News

Pay now for another year of gardening at very low cost

Pay this month to secure your plot. Many thanks to all those members who have already paid their 2019 rents.

Your 2019 allotment rent is due on 1st January. Pay now to enjoy another year of allotment gardening and renew your plot tenancy. Full details of how to pay from these

links.

If you have decided to give up your allotment or reduce the size, please contact us, so we can adjust your rent and stop nagging you. We shall also update our records and remove your data from our current membership lists.

AGM 2019 – advance notice

The AGM is on Wednesday 13 March at 7:45pm at the Corn Market Hall. Please make a note in your diaries. If you wish to add anything to the agenda, please contact us. More details will be published on our website nearer the time. Click here for what we have already

Vigilance and rigorous control measures keep rats away.

It is not uncommon for us to get an unwelcome rodent visitor at this time of year. Rats are all around us and will look for shelter in the colder months. An allotment shed or compost bin is often an ideal place for rats to live. It is important for use to control these pests now before they have another chance to breed and overwhelm our allotments. The keys to this pest control are

• Vigilance – look for signs of rats in sheds and compost heaps. These signs include droppings, their smell or their nesting bedding
• Remove any food sources – never leave anything that a rat can eat around or put such things in your compost. The list of possible rat food is very long
• Place poison bait in suitable containers in sheds. The bait should be inaccessible to birds, children etc. Rentokil is a good brand. Some rats are resistant to this poisonous bait, but many will be controlled by it. Poison bait is also really useful to show when there are rats around. If there are no rats, the bait will not be eaten; if something is eating the bait, then you have rats or mice.
• Set traps. Again Rentokil traps are good. Peanut butter is an ideal bait for the traps. We recommend that you have a range of different types of trap if possible. Rats are intelligent and can learn how to avoid traps, so a range of different designs helps, including “walk the plank” and bottle/barrel traps. See below for details

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfaDQJVplYI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zweREnGVLtA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACd_G7f8nLk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF6xwUSkT1k

Grass Ridings may be closed to vehicles.

Many of our plots are accessed by grass ridings. These are unsuitable for vehicles in wet weather and this time of year. If vehicles use them, they may get stuck and create a very muddy mess with their wheel ruts. Ridings may be closed to vehicles by field stewards. Please respect any signs or cones so we can maintain the condition of the tracks.

Time to order seeds.

In the long dark nights of winter are an ideal time to order your seeds ready for the coming Spring. 

A local shop with great service is good for seed potatoes

https://russellattwood.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/seed-potato-catalogue-2019.pdf

For a wide range of seeds and good prices, nothing beats a catalogue. Our favourites are

Kings Seeds – Kings are in Essex and sell great seeds for allotments

Real seeds – for trying something different. Run by a couple in Wales from their smallholding.

Seeds of Italy – great for squash, parsley, tomatoes and much more.

Stone picking – a rewarding activity at this time of year?

Well at least it gets you out of the house and is cheaper than a gym?

Whilst there is less actual gardening to do in the winter, there are always useful jobs to do on the allotment. One particularly rewarding winter activity is stone gathering. The stones can then be used to improve the tracks and ridings by filling in any pot-holes and muddy patches. A bucket full of small stones will make a real and long-lasting difference to the track and if we all collected a bucket each, the whole track would soon be all-weather.

Happy New Year!

December 2018 Allotment News

A stitch in time…

The dark cold days of December are a quiet time on the allotment. There is one silver lining to this – the weeds have stopped growing! (well almost…)  Here in Kettering we have fertile soil and our weeds grow amazingly well in the Spring, Summer and Autumn. A few hours spent now on weed prevention  will save you hundreds of hours next growing season.

We can prevent weeds next year by mulching now. Mulching can be done in most weathers, so is a really good winter job.The two most effective ways of mulching are 

1. Black weed control fabric – uses 100gm thickness as anything thinner will be shredded by wind etc and weeds will still grow through. Make sure the plastic is thoroughly secured with heavy weights. Good examples of suitable heavy weights are sacks of pulled-out weeds, pallets or bricks.
2. Using cardboard and shreddings (wood chip) or straw, tree leaves. Make the layer of shreddings,  straw or tree leaves thick (about 6 inches thick is ideal.

More detailed guidance is on our page in the link menu above – different ways of mulching and using mulch to control weeds

https://russellattwood.wordpress.com/using-mulch/

Rents for 2019

The rents and membership fees are due on 1st January. Rents have not increased for 2019, so you will pay the same as last year. If you do not pay your tenancy may not be renewed and your plot may be re-let to someone on the waiting list.

New Rule  (11B in our list of rules) now in force- if have not paid by 1st February you will be required to pay for 2 years, so your outlay will double. This means you will have to pay for 2019 and 2020 so we don’t have to chase up your late payment next year! 

Contact the treasurer if you cannot remember your plot number or how much to pay. 

Changes to your plot size or contact details? -tell us

Contact us if you have had any change of circumstances, address, contact details, giving up your plot, reducing the size of your plot or hoping to take on an extra bit. If you are intending to give up your plot we can make arrangements for a smooth transfer to someone on our waiting list. We can also stop pestering you for rent!

Seasonal Jobs

This time of year is great for tidying up and pruning many plants. For example, blackberries can be pruned. Use any thorny pruning to reinforce the boundary fences and hedges near your plot. This will help our security and is much better than burning. 

Try to avoid bonfires – see our November newsletter and  website for further guidance on this issue.

Remove plastic waste – take home for recycling or landfill.

The recent news about plastic waste in the oceans, including the documentaries by David Attenborough has highlighted a problem that every allotment gardener is well aware of – that plastic does not rot down and become compost. The additional concern that has only recently been publicised is that plastic physically breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces that we cannot see, called microplastic. This microplastic still does not rot, but stays there in the oceans and the soil and can then enter our bodies through the food chain. 

With the above in mind, please remove any plastic waste on your plot. Broken items, such as buckets, watering cans, plant pots that are no longer useful should be removed and recycled or binned at home. 

Please also remove toxic or dangerous waste – eg old carpet, car tyres, broken glass. These are not allowed on allotment land, so should be removed. Seek advice from your field steward if you have any concerns, or contact us

SCOTT ROAD -metal shed available for free (you will need to bolt it together)

We have a dismantled metal shed at the Scott Road site. It is free to any member who does not already have a shed. It is heavy steel and will need bolting together and a coat of rust protection paint. Contact the field stewards, (Pat, Chris or Russell) if you are interested.