Happy New Year to you all
The days are getting longer and the growing season is not too far off, so....
Hello and welcome to the winter edition of the TAA Newsletter. My name is Nathalie Ashbee and I have a plot at the Park Road site and I have volunteered to take on the production of the TAA Newsletter following on from Jill Johnstone's editorship and Peter Bown's website stewardship for the past 6 years, keeping us informed and giving useful tips of what we should be doing on our plots. Thank you for all you have done Jill and Peter; it really is much appreciated.
Committee News:
- Rent review
- At the committee meeting on 20th November it was decided that a rent review was necessary as it has been three years since the last increase so, it will go up from £8.40 per rod to £9.20 (e.g. a 2.5 rod plot it will rise from £21 per year to £23 per year). This will help fund the continuation of maintenance on both sites, including a new water meter, a new notice board and repairs to sheds.
- At the committee meeting on 20th November it was decided that a rent review was necessary as it has been three years since the last increase so, it will go up from £8.40 per rod to £9.20 (e.g. a 2.5 rod plot it will rise from £21 per year to £23 per year). This will help fund the continuation of maintenance on both sites, including a new water meter, a new notice board and repairs to sheds.
- Volunteers needed
- Jill Johnstone and Jim Turner are both looking to step down as Site Supervisors at the next AGM in April. If you are a Park Road plot holder and would be interested, or would like to know more about getting involved, please do get in touch with Jill or Jim.
- Jill Johnstone and Jim Turner are both looking to step down as Site Supervisors at the next AGM in April. If you are a Park Road plot holder and would be interested, or would like to know more about getting involved, please do get in touch with Jill or Jim.
- Water Tanks
- Water tanks have been turned off for the winter. Please help to keep them in good working order by not washing boots and tools in them causing a build up of unwelcome debris. Please report any problems to a site supervisor.
Date of next AGM:
Friday 1st May 2020 at 7.30pm at:
Forward House, 435 Park Road, Kingston, KT2 5RL
Winter Jobs:
- Get your beds ready for spring planting by:
- removing weeds
- digging in plenty of well-rotted manure
- covering with cardboard, topped with a generous layer of well rotted compost or manure (free manure [though donations are always welcome] is available at the Barnfield Stables https://www.barnfieldridingschool.org/visit-us) which will keep out the worst of the rain and prevent weeds from growing. For more infomation on this technique and other no-dig tips please visit https://charlesdowding.co.uk/start-here/
- clean tools
- tidy sheds and storage boxes
- sort through seed packets and make a list of what you might want to grow in the new year.
It’s the perfect time to have a general tidy up and collect fallen leaves from around your winter crops as these can harbour unwanted pests. Earth up around Brussels Sprout stems to avoid them becoming unsteady in winter winds. Make sure nets are secure to prevent pigeons from eating your brassicas. Weed and mulch around established fruit trees and bushes. Rhubarb can be divided and replanted as long as the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Late raspberries can be cut back to ground level in February.
A friendly note:
There is currently a bit of an issue on various parts of the site with environmentally unfriendly plastic. Please can you remove all your redundant plastic from your plot including cracked and damaged plant pots, watering cans, rubbish sacks, netting etc. and dispose of them in a responsible manner. The Kingston recycling centre will be delighted to see you at:
What to sow now
Winter hardy broad-beans can be sown in loo rolls or root-trainer cells undercover or in a cold frame, as can sweet peas, chard, leeks, onions, hardy pees, spinach, carrots and herbs.
If you are quick, Garlic can be planted outdoors as long as it remains mild and the ground is not waterlogged, otherwise wait 'till March. Bare root fruit trees and fruit bushes can also be planted if the ground is not waterlogged or frozen. It is preferable to plant dwarf varieties of fruit trees so as to not encroach on your neighbour's plot.
What’s cooking?
If you want to try something with a seasonal touch how about this Thai Spiced Butternut squash and Coconut Soup?
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 2 cm fresh ginger grated
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled, seeded and chopped ( approx 800g)
- 1 large potato peeled and chopped
- 1 ltr chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 tsp Thai 7 spice seasoning (Schwartz being one make)
- 400 ml tin Coconut milk
- Fish sauce
- Salt and pepper
- Small bunch coriander chopped
- Finely diced red chilli or a pinch of chilli flakes
Method
o Heat the oil in a large saucepan on a medium heat
o Fry the onion for a few minutes until soft but not golden
o Add the garlic, ginger, squash and potato, cook a few minutes more, stirring from time to time.
o Add the stock and Thai spice, simmer gently till the veg are soft (10 to 15 mins)
o Remove from the heat and carefully liquidise till smooth
o Just before serving add the coconut milk and return to the heat but do not boil or it will curdle
o Season with the fish sauce and salt and pepper
o Serve in bowls with a little chopped coriander and chilli
Let me know if you liked it or want other recipes.
Happy gardening and growing.
Nathalie
nathalies.plot@gmail.com (or use contact form on home page)