Cavendish House Allotments

Cavendish House Allotments

Archive of posts from June 2007

Open Day: 1st July

This year our open day and social event is on Sunday, 1st July and — something different — from noon to about 4pm we are having a barbeque, plus a sale of plants, tools and other items. Please come to it and bring some food to cook and share, or something to accompany it, such as salad or savouries, or desserts such as tarts, cakes, puddings or fruit. Soft drinks and water will be provided (cheaply) but anything else in a bottle will be greatly appreciated.

23 June 2007 | News

Organic Practice

The last newsletter had an item about organic gardening. The committee wishes to encourage organic practice and several people are sympathetic to the idea. But, as Stephen Alexander (plot 30A) pointed out, how can you deal with invasive perennial weeds like bindweed and couch grass? The advice from Garden Organic is given below. However, if you do wish to use chemical means, there are some options without having to do a widespread spray.

23 June 2007 | News

Advice from 'Garden Organic'

from  YTaP -- http://flickr.com/photos/your_teacher/181659106/

23 June 2007 | Advice

Companion Planting

poppies from MShades -- http://flickr.com/photos/mshades/467044408/

23 June 2007 | Advice

Twickenham Gardening Association

The Twickenham Gardening Association organises a number of coach trips, one Sunday a month at very reasonable cost, on which they welcome visitors. Pick-ups are between 9 and 9.30 am in Twickenham and Whitton and all venues have cafes and picnic areas. For further information, contact Shirley Tubridy, the secretary, on 020 8894 3512. The current visits programme includes Eastbourne, Herstmonceaux Castle and Waterperry Gardens. Members of the TGA can use their trade centre in Meadway, near Twickenham Green, which is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10.30-2.30 and sells seeds, plants, fertilizers, composts, canes, sundries, etc.

23 June 2007 | News

Top tips

Do you have one to pass on to other gardeners? Here are a few from plotholders. Please send in your own. Even if you think it may be well known, there will always be someone for whom it’s new.

23 June 2007 | Advice

Ponds

A few holders have ponds on their plots. The pros are that they can attract wildlife, especially frogs and toads, and water-loving plants can be grown. The cons are they can be a breeding area for mosquitoes and there is the possibility of danger to children and others. If you have a pond, put in oxygenating plants to keep the water from becoming stagnant and cover the pond with a strong wire mesh.

23 June 2007 | Advice

Straw bedding

We have received a delivery of straw bales, courtesy of Percy Chapman and Sons in Twickenham. These got rained on recently and started to smell a bit so they couldn’t sell them fro pet bedding.

23 June 2007 | News

Three Pleases

  1. Please always lock the gate, after you enter and when you leave. A plot-holder recently had a wheelbarrow stolen and two others lost garden chairs. It’s not known how this happened, but we do need to be security conscious.
  2. Please don’t put waste like glass, wood, old carpets, etc. by the bin. The council will not take it away, it looks unsightly and could be dangerous.
  3. Please, parents, although it is very good to see children taking part in allotment life, do make sure they don’t go onto other people’s plots. Children’s safety is always your own responsibility.

23 June 2007 | News

The Glut -- Calling All Cooks

They may be small at the moment, but very soon the courgettes, tomatoes, beans and all your other crops are going to be bursting out. How do you deal with the glut? Make chutneys, main dishes, puddings, cakes, wine? Recipe suggestions please to the editor.

23 June 2007 | Advice

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