Category Archives: All News

Allotment Tips

Veggie Talk – June 2023

VEGGIE TALK – JUNE 2023

Comfrey liquid – be careful of strength used, needs to be diluted similarly to Tomorite. One part comfrey to 10 parts water (BBC Gardener World magazine)

Coddling Moth pheromone traps – now is the time to use these to reduce damage to apple crops. 60 – 80% effective, use one trap now and then replace in 5 weeks. A similar product is available for plum
trees. Can be bought as refills, or full kits with tent holder, from garden centres, online and Chadwell Allotment shed.


There are rabbits at Rosedale Road, but there is a fox and hedgehogs, plus other wildlife such as slow worms and grass snakes – none of which are dangerous to humans and all are beneficial to allotments – they must not be harmed in any way.


Jerusalem Artichokes grow – approximately 7 feet tall.

Members Blog

Bonfires

BONFIRES

Only small amounts of dry garden waste that cannot be composted should be burnt, use an incinerator if possible.

DO NOT light a fire on windy days, damp days and in the evening when smoke hangs in the air

DO NOT light a fire before 6pm in the evening, or if surrounding neighbours have washing out

Make sure that you have placed the fire well away from any structures as well as large plants and trees.

NEVER burn household rubbish, empty chemical containers, plastic, foam

NEVER under any circumstances use an accelerator (e.g. petrol) to get a bonfire started

NEVER leave the bonfire unattended and have something to hand to extinguish the flames if they should get out of hand

ALWAYS wait until everything has burned down before leaving the site. Once finished, dampen down the bonfire with water making sure the fire is out and surroundings are safe

BONFIRES ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – PLEASE LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT WAY TO DEAL WITH WASTE MATERIAL

Thank you to the majority of plotholders who do not burn their waste

Sharon

Secretary, RRBMAA

Meetings

Meeting May 2023

MEETING MAY 2023

ROSEDALE ROAD & BULL MEADOW ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION

MEETING 14th April 2023

Present:  A. Klecha, J. Priest, T. Whiberley, A. Osborn, A. Davison, R. Childs, C. Robertson, S. Simmonds, L. Brede, J. Bishop, M. Waite, L. Dartnell (12 total)

Apologies: J. Alabaster, B. Alabaster, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, A. Collins, S. Klecha, C. Davison

Minutes from 14th April 23: 

Agreed

Matters Arising:

  • 2nd lot of woodchips arrived RR, need some more at BM
  • 120 scaffold boards on order – AK to contact provider again as to delivery

Rosedale Road Report:

  • Stuart and Alan worked hard on getting the water sorted
  • 1 or 2 plots untidy – coming up to inspection time (June 2023)
  • Couple of paths need strimming
  • Started planting on spare plot – need help to get it good for Open Day in August.   May put notice up for work party

Bull Meadow Report:

  • Beach hut cladded and locks fitted
  • All plots look good, but one member is struggling due to family issues
  • Manure and woodchip still available

Treasurer’s Report:

  • Balance £3,682.35 but there are 2 cheques (£69.50 and £29.70) sent to water board that have “gone missing”.  Once this is rectified balance will be £3,583.09
  • Petty cash £27.14 – Tyrells Hall been paid £100
  • CR has about £350 stock of grow organic fertilizer
  • Insurance needs to be checked for both sites, along with inventory

Membership Secretary’s Report:

  • Prioritising local people for plots
  • Query as to Plot 32 is vacant or not – no work done since it was taken over – check with SC when returns from holiday

Social:

  • Coronation BBQ great success – thank you to all who attended
  • The much-anticipated boules rematch did not disappoint with a result of 10-5 to the ladies!!  Making the overall running total 2-0 to them – unfortunately we have no actual score for the first match – not that it really matters as the

result is still the same  

  • Open Day – Saturday 12th August.  TW to design flyers and send to JP for printing.  Donations of time, goods, cakes etc.  more than welcome

Any Other Business:

  • Just a reminder it is 2-0 to the ladies in the on-going boules tournament
  • Insurance does not cover personal belongings in your sheds etc.
  • Grow organic available @ £6.50 per sack (1.5kg) – see CR
  • Reminder that inspections will take place in June
  • In case it was not mentioned before – IT IS CURRENTLY 2-0 TO THE LADIES IN THE ON-GOING BOULES TOURNAMENT

Next Meeting:

Friday 9th June 2023 – Tyrells Hall Club, 7.30pm.  Last meeting before we break for the Summer

Allotment Tips

Veggie Talk – April 2023

VEGGIE TALK – APRIL 2023

Potatoes, cabbage, onions all in.

It is too late to move rhubarb as now cropping.

You can use straw and manure to make ridges for potatoes; helps keep in moisture, useful if another dry year.

Try old seeds on damp tissue to check if still germinate.

Parsnip take 2+wks to germinate, old seed (1yr+) will not.

Intersperse radish seed with parsnip; radish seed germinates quickly and will mark the line.