January/February 2021 News
Despite the cold, wet and depressing news there are already many stirrings of Spring. In particular the Community Garden project to rejuvenate and cultivate plots 1&2 and the raised beds adjacent to the store has ignited a lot of enthusiasm. We are hopeful that 2021 is going to be busy and productive on the site and build on all the increased activity seen during the Covid lockdowns of 2020
Community Gardening.
A warm welcome to the 16 people who have joined Nuffield Road Allotment Society as Associate members. These enthusiasts cannot currently be accommodated on plots of their own or simply prefer the idea of gardening as a friendly activity with other like-minded individuals. The committee has taken the decision to actively encourage sustainable community cultivation in some areas of the site.
Associate Members contribute £14 per annum in membership and affiliation fees and may make use of the shop and site facilities. There is an allocation of individual beds for personal use with a general agreement to co-operate and discuss what is grown.
There is now an active WhatsApp group for sharing ideas. If other plot holders would like to join in they will be very welcome. There will be some active management of trees, a lot of composting and attention to all the common areas of the site. The committee has agreed to invest some project funds to get this started.
Progress has been slow to date due to Covid restrictions and the weather but this has not stopped the planning. In the next few weeks we will re-line the large sleeper bays and plan to bring in supplies of soil improver for use on all plots. Bark chippings are currently delivered and available and we would encourage use of these for weed suppression on paths.
Leek pest.
Alium leaf miner seems to be widespread on the site at the moment.
If your leeks have been disappointing and look a bit like this, please make sure that you dig them out and avoid putting them on the compost heap. Take the debris home and put in your green bin. These critters lay their eggs in the young plants of leeks, onions and garlic in the spring and summer so protection with fine insect mesh is necessary to protect your harvest for this year.
Help needed for planned Spring projects;
Linings fitted to the sleeper bays to protect against the creosote and encourage full use.
Soil improver for mulching. A bulk quantity to be collected, delivered and stored in these bays for shared use.
Litter picking to clear the site rubbish and removal in a skip.
Watch this space and email if you can help nuffieldroadallotment@gmail.com
Please let us know of any topics that you would like to see in a newsletter. If you would like to contribute an article or are particularly interested in some topic or some news or events, then please let a member of the committee know or email nuffieldroadallotment@gmail.com with your ideas.