Welcome to the TAA Autumn Newsletter
Autumn has slowly started to arrive after a long beautiful and varied summer. I do hope you have had success on your plot harvesting and enjoying the fruits of your labours. It’s been a strange time for us all trying to carry on with our lives and coping with the restrictions that Coronavirus has brought. It is a real privilege to have an allotment, to be out in the fresh air tending the soil, growing plants and harvesting delicious crops. Wonderful for the mind, body and soul.
Just a reminder for everyone to continue to respect social distancing and to sanitise hands (please do not wash your hands in the water tanks).
It is also compulsory to wear a mask in the shop.
TAA AGM
It has not been possible to hold the AGM this year due to Coronavirus or for the committee to all meet. However, we have been in regular contact via email to discuss various matters. A review of the rent for next year is being discussed and you will be informed of any increases once this has been agreed and decided. Thanks to all the committee for their wise council and contributions.
KHS would like to thank all those who supported the two very successful plant sales. Unfortunately due to the Covid restrictions the Macmillan Coffee Morning will not be happening but KHS will be making a donation from existing funds.
Special thanks to Jill Johnstone and Jim Turner for continuing as site supervisors at Park Road in spite of requesting to step down. If you think you might like to take on this role please speak to either of them.
Plot Vacancies - the waiting list for a plot is to be reopened at the end of the month, though it could be a two year wait for applicants.
Tomato Blight
There are some plots with tomato plants that have Blight.
Blight is a serious disease of the foliage and fruit or tubers of tomatoes and potatoes that causes rot. It also can affect the soil if left untouched. The spores can be spread by the wind infecting neighbouring plots with dire consequences for future crops. It is most common in wet weather.
If you discover Blight on your tomatoes and or potatoes please take action as soon as possible by removing it. Do not leave crops to rot on on your plot as the spores can spread. Dispose of any diseased plants by removing them off-site. Compost only in a ‘hot bin’ that heats to 60oC (the high temperature kills blight spores).
For further information please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=217
Long standing plot holders are always happy to give advice.
What you can do on your plot in September and October?
It is very important to keep harvesting crops, root veg can be stored in sand for the winter, squash in a cool dark place (eg shed/ garage). Other produce can be frozen, bottled or made into jams, pickles and preserves.
Watch out for butterfly eggs and caterpillars on the underside of brassica leaves
Firm in the roots of Brussel sprouts as wet and windy weather can loosen them leading to rock damage.
Leave the roots of beans in the ground as they contain beneficial nitrogen for your soil.
Give your compost heap a good turning over with a fork to mix, which will aerate it helping the rotting process and the addition of a couple of cans of water on a regular basis as a moist compost works faster.
There are still some crops you can sow now to enjoy over the winter months: chard, leaf beet spinach, spring onions, winter lettuce, rocket, coriander, parsley and, if you are quick, radishes and Chinese cabbage. Broad beans can be sown for an early spring crop and winter onion sets can also be planted now.
If you have seedlings of cabbage, kale or chard plant them out now while the weather is still mild.
Plant garlic sets at the beginning of November early December.
Prune fruit bushes, black and red currants, gooseberries and early raspberries. This is a good time to plant new fruit bushes and raspberry canes, make sure you prepare the soil well by enriching with plenty of well rotted manure or compost, mixed well into the soil.
Dig over empty beds, where you had potatoes look carefully for any missed, add compost / manure (see article below) and cover with weed suppressing sheets well weighted, or sow a green manure to be dug in, in the spring.
After a recent inspection of the Park Road site by the site supervisors, they noted that the general standard and appearance of plots are looking rather good this year. However many of the paths appear to have been used as a dumping ground for soil, bricks, weeds, prunings etc, and many others where plot holders have not weeded the paths around their plot. One plot holder was recently injured - a rusty nail sticking out of a piece of wood that was left on a pathway went through their shoe and stabbed their foot. So please do your bit and help keep the pathways clear and safe and take your waste off site to the local tip. You will need to book a timed slot on-line at https://form.jotformeu.com/201591865335358
A reminder to put the lids back on the water butts and to keep the gate locked.
Jim Turner has set up a WhatsApp group for the Park Road plot holders where people can flag up queries or concerns, share plants and seeds or just ask a favour. Please contact Jim if you would like to join.
Wolsey Drive Allotment
Sid and a small group of volunteers are repairing and generally making good the fence around the allotments. There is still some work to do to fix the damage, usually by cars and vans, re-tension the wire and repair the gate to the main entrance. More volunteers into 'Sid's army' are very welcome and will reduce the time taken to complete the work. Please contact him on the WhatsApp group.
To keep the fence in good repair, please remove any plants that are growing up through the fence and remove any stones, compost or general rubbish from the base of the fence. As always, please don't leave any rubbish, weeds or stones on the grass paths or dump it on Sid's bonfire pile.
Thanks to Sid and Julia for keeping things running smoothly.
Mulch Better – the benefits of mulching (This article was provided by Richard Post)
Definition of mulch/mulching :
Applying a layer of plant material to the topsoil – the plant material could be fresh (weed free), like grass cuttings/leaves, or partially/well-rotted compost. For the allotment, bark/wood chippings would not be recommended.
What are the benefits:
• Helps to retain soil moisture
• Can supress weeds
• Protects soil structure around base of plants when watering
• Useful immediate disposal option for grass cuttings (as opposed to composting)
• Contributes to Organic Matter (OM) build up on your plot.
• OM is good because :- improves soil structure and makes the soil easier to prepare for sowing/planting. OM improves the soils water holding capacity. OM provides a slow release of essential plant nutrients and stimulates the size and activity of the decomposer community – arthropods/earthworms/microbial community that are the agents of decomposition and plant nutrient release.
What to be wary of when using a mulch on your allotment plot :
• Introducing weeds e.g. Oxalis (clover like weed) – if weed material or seeds still viable.
• Introducing fungal disease if mulch contains diseased plant material.
Keep well and safe and I sign off with the following anatributed quote...
Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years