   L.A. Role in Allotment Provision Discussed at Scottish Government Summit 11/05/2010 14:09:00 Ways of increasing the amount of land available for allotments in Scotland have been discussed at the first 'Growing Spaces' summit, held on 4 May at Falkland House, Fife.......................... read on at: http://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/news.asp?nid=493 we started from this  2nd November 2009 Kev and Althea's Landshare plot: still digging! We signed our Landshare agreement on the 10th May 2009 not really knowing what we were getting into! This put us in charge of an area of lawn about 220 m2 within an old walled garden. Fortunately another couple have a similar sized plot in the garden and we've helped and supported each other when it all looked rather daunting. More by accident than design, we divided our plot into 12 beds - a good number for crop rotation. After losing the battle with a rotovator (don't let anyone tell you it's a good idea on grass!), we got the spades out and started digging. And we haven't finished yet? With no grand plan in mind we started planting seeds as soon as we'd prepared a bed, while battling the legions of persistent dandelions. For weeks it was a surprise to see that seedlings were still growing every weekend when we arrived to do more digging. Unbelievably within a month the Glasgow Herald came and did an article about Landshare and we pretended to know what we were talking about even though there wasn't much to see at that point. Sowing rather too many seeds from old packets proved to be a bit of a mistake as there was soon a crowd of climbing beans and chard. With so much space to fill we tried pumpkins for the first time -even into August we didn't think they'd actually produce anything as all the immature fruits kept rotting off in what passed for a Scottish summer. The neighbouring farmer left a heap of manure so we planted a few extra squash seedlings just to see if that made any difference. It has - we now have 8 lovely pumpkins slowly ripening at home. To fill more space we planted 6 courgettes which became a staple part of our diet. Just one reached marrow size - it went into marrow and ginger jam which is a lot tastier than it might sound. The extra space also gave us space to grow globe artichokes which we hope will be ready to eat next year. This year they look great surrounded by asparagus peas - not much good for eating but beautiful ground cover, with bright green leaves and small deep red flowers. A good friend gave us some Nicotiana seedlings with deep ruby-coloured flowers that looked great growing through the courgettes, although we were never there in the evenings to appreciate their scent. On warm days the hoverflies formed clouds over the opium poppies and Calendulas, with bees getting drunk on the poppies. The sunflowers rose above the spinach with their cheery rusty red and yellow flowers. We'll definitely be growing more flowers next year. So what else did we grow? Carrots, fennel (another successful experiment), beetroot (red and white), spring onions, fantastic radishes, woad (which got munched by the cabbage white butterflies) and tomatoes (which were rescued to make chutney before they all succumbed to blight). In July (still digging!) we planted out 2 beds of kale and purple sprouting broccoli seedlings - ok, perhaps it's a bit much but it looks great and the mesh that we put over to keep out the cabbage whites made it look rather professional. If only the newspaper had visited then! Before going on holiday in September we sowed some green manure to stop those damn dandelions and buttercups from taking over in our absence. We planted Phacelia and white mustard, plus some late borage seedlings in a leftover corner. The bees loved the vivid blue borage and purple Phacelia flowers, and it looked lovely. More recently, we've planted garlic - another first for us - although we're still waiting for them to send up green shoots. The last two beds to be dug over are still covered with cardboard - it really does make the digging a bit easier, but we're saving that for next year. The brilliant thing about this site is that there are also lots of rather neglected currant bushes and an orchard over the wall inhabited by dozens of hens (and a cock that hasn't really got the hang of crowing). In return for some help with looking after these, we picked several pounds of luscious black and red currants, along with many fine windfall apples. We're currently trying to get the apples identified and having fun working out how best to use them - we highly recommend apple butter! Now we can't imagine not having this opportunity. We really have 'grown our own' and are looking forward to growing even more next year. All we need now is a bigger freezer and a pantry! Conrad's Plot  starting out 29th October 2009 - Conrad making a start with "Land Share" I was lucky to acquire land share reasonably close to home. Two months have past since I got the land without planting! I had to wait on the 'bare rooted maidens" fruit trees to arrive, they arrived yesterday so rain could not stop play. After an early start down to the garden centre to be ripped off buying the supports and ties plus the 'Blood, Fish & Bone Organic Feed' I emerged from the Garden centre to meet rain (it was not on my forecast). Thought to myself "can't have everything, I have a plot, so get on with the task". Fruit trees are 2 X Braeburn apples, 2 X Conference Pears, 2 X Victoria Plums and 2 X Morello Cherry. I have planted the two rows of trees in a North/South line and staggered as the plot is South facing. First photos of plot and trees. Too much rain to plant out the garlic bulbs which I had also planned to do, so completed the day with two rows of broad beans of the Aquaduice Claudia variety and all going well they will crop in May/June. Still much to do over the winter, other half of plot to dig over and some shrub, boulder and tyre clearing etc etc so no time for decorating in the house! simples  says Jenni Starting out by Jenni (27th Sept 2009) As you are aware, it is proving a to be a slow process getting allotments in the Falkirk area. Not wanting to lose interest and resign myself to nothing but supermarket produce I decided to look at other options. I was fortunate enough this year, to be able to rent a small piece of ground from a local farmer. It has been many years since I grew my own veg in anything but containers so was uncertain about how successful, or otherwise it would be. In the first instance I decided to take the long view, starting with improving the soil and creating shelter, and not worry too much about productivity. I am happy to report that despite negligible water, feeding, howling winds and a novice grower, vegetables will grow quite happily. Being late getting started this year I dug small areas of ground and put in a variety of veggies, some of which I started off in my recycled greenhouse at home. The attached photos show courgettes and potatoes, but I was amazed how easily things like onions, broad beans and peas were to grow. Some strawberry runners I was given were very productive - and delicious eaten sun warmed straight from the plant. Some of my efforts have not been so successful - the pitifully small carrots, for example, but that's ok. The flavour and freshness really can't be beaten and other plot-holders are more than happy to share and swap produce so we can try out different varieties. With a good supply of veg in storage and hardly any need to make purchases from the supermarket, I can now sit back and rest?What's that? Time to start preparing the soil for next year? The onions, garlic and broad beans need to go in now? Ah well, better not put the fork away just yet. Hovingham Allotments  My Holiday snaps by Conrad, 27th Sept 2009 The North Yorkshire Moors -- not only did many little villages have allotments , many folk offered garden fruit and vegetables at the road side some free and some with an honesty box for payment. Of course this is not news however so many folk growing, giving and sharing it was an inspiration. make this your story and your photos, please contact conradburt@ymail.com to share on the web. |
