Gardener's Question Time review

The recording of BBC Radio 4's Gardener's Question Time at Clements Hall on Monday 18th April proved to be as entertaining and informative as any gardener could wish for. The buzz of anticipation was apparent as we queued up outside the venue early that evening - sharing the wording of our questions and pondering upon whom may be on the panel to answer those who were lucky enough (and brave) to be selected. It was a full house, all tickets sold out within 48 hours of going on sale the previous week, the audience was keen...

Yet, the backstory of how we came to this point will not be known by many. It was more than three years ago that committee member, Sarah Austin first proposed the Association put in an application to the BBC. So together the committee put their collective heads together and duly submitted one. Nothing was heard and it was assumed we had been unsuccessful... that is until the Beeb phoned Graham Sanderson (Chair) just 4 weeks prior to the proposed recording date. Emails flew in all directions... could we deliver in such a short time frame? After meeting with Linda Speidel, manager of Clements Hall, it was clear everyone was on board and keen to proceed. After a successful sound check by the BBC's technical crew we were given the green light... the cat was out of the bag and the horse was running (or is it the other way round?) Tickets went on sale and the rest is history. Our heartfelt thanks are due to Judith and her team at Clements Hall for taking up this unexpected challenge and tackling it so brilliantly and with such enthusiasm. Thanks are also due to Scarcroft School for the loan of their staging, and to all other individuals whose contributions made this event proceed so smoothly.

So what of the recording...?
The questions from ten intrepid participants were selected, and they were duly seated along the front row. The scene was set, the producer had done his warm-up act, and the panel was introduced...

Chaired by Eric Robson, the panel comprised, Matthew Wilson, Christine Walkden and Bob Flowerdew, each tackling the questions, 'discussing the purposes and positives of show gardens and advising on how to get the most out of supermarket herbs. They also recommend climbing plants fit for adorning a child's climbing frame and unusual plants to put in raised planters' (www.bbc.co.uk). To hear all questions and answers, the airing of the programme can still be heard here on BBC iplayer.

The recording also provided an interesting insight into how the programme itself was constructed. There was the occassional break in questions for the chair, Eric Robson to say specific pieces, such as his link to the recording made at York Minster earlier that day, as well as the re-recording of brief pieces of speaking.

The airing of the programme took place on 29th April. It was only through listening to it that everything fell into place, including the significance of making a recording in York. For we learned that the concept and design of Matthew Wilson's garden at Chelsea Flower show was inspired by the Minster's medieval Great East Window, and is titled, 'God's Own County - A Garden For Yorkshire'.

To sum up, it was a memorable evening's entertainment born out of a tiny seed planted three years previously, that was well nurtured to the point of harvest, and then supported and consumed by our city wide gardening community.

Cycle stands!

Four new cycle stands have been installed by volunteers on the Scarcroft allotment site... and they look great! 

There has long been a desperate need for this provision, with cycles being locked to bits of fencing, drain pipes, gates etc. Happily cyclists can now confidently secure their bikes whilst visiting their plots or the allotment shop. The stands are spaced to accommodate panniers and trailers and it is hoped that they will encourage even more people to cycle to Scarcroft.

On the occasions when you do need to bring a vehicle to the site then there are still 6 generous parking spaces for cars and vans.

Bootham Stray Allotments Open Day

Open Day at Bootham Stray Allotments 
Sunday 23rd June
12.00pm - 2.00pm 

In July 2011 Bootham Stray Allotments Association were awarded a £50,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, to rejuvenate the allotments and create a community area. 

As the project is now drawing to a close they would like to take the opportunity to invite members of the allotment and gardening community  to an Open Day. There will be a display showing how the project has changed the site, with people available to talk through the application process should anyone be interested in applying for a grant themselves. 

There will also be activities and stalls to keep the whole family entertained: 

Tombola & raffle

Cakes & refreshments

Face painting & scarecrow making

For more information about Bootham Stray Allotments Association and how to find them please follow link

http://www.boothamstrayallotments.co.uk/index.php 

York Get Growing Courses

York Get Growing Project is once again offering some great courses, the following are all free and run during the spring season.

Edible Forest Gardens - Film and Discussion 

An opportunity to find out more about forest gardens and permaculture techniques. Wed. 24th April 7.30pm - 9.30pm.

Introduction to Growing Your Own Food 

An opportunity to learn how to grow your own food in a garden or allotment, suitable for both the beginner of those with some food growing experience who would like to know more. A five week course running every Mon. from 15th April to 20th May (excl. bank Hol. Mon.) 7.00pm - 9.00pm.

Sowing and Planting Techniques 

Find out more about what you need to do to get vegetable seeds to germinate and plant out crops so that they grow away strongly. Includes some practical sowing and planting. A half day course Sat. 20th April 10.00am - 12.30pm.

Greenhouse Food crops in Spring and Summer 

If you have a greenhouse or polytunnel this is the course that will tell you how to make the most of it for growing veg. in the spring and summer months. Covers both growing plants to plant outside and using the greenhouse to grow crops like tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, cucumbers and melons. A half day course Sat. 18th May 10.00am - 12.30pm.

Further courses are planned for later in the summer including: Grow, Eat, and Cook Soft Fruit; Growing Vegetables All Year Round; Harvesting and Storing Your Produce.

To book a place or for further information either phone 644300 or email yorkgetgrowing@tcv.org.uk

Local History Event

There's an exciting Local History Event being held at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road.  This is a two day programme of free events Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd November from 11.30am onwards. On Friday at 3pm is a talk that may be of particular interest to gardeners and allotment holders, The History of Allotments in the Scarcroft area by Catherine Heinmeyer. 

Please see this link for more information 
http://clementshall.org.uk/events-2/public-events/local-history-project/

In case of vandalism

Unfortunately there have been a number of incidents of vandalism on Scarcroft Allotments recently.

As a reminder to plot holders if you find any damage done on your plot, please call 101, the police non-emergency number, and report it. 

Because few of the incidents that have happened have been reported, the site has been taken off the list of places for routine patrolling by the neighbourhood police team. 

If we report every incident, we’ll get routine police patrols again and that police presence does act as a deterrent!

'Losing The Plot' performance

Mikron Theatre Company are returning to York with their hilarious play 'Losing the Plot', first seen by 100+ in an open air performance at Scarcroft allotments in May. No one who has, or has had, or wish they had an 

allotment should miss their best night out!

Read what the York Press review had to say...

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/theatre/9716343.Review__Losing_The_Plot__Scarcroft_Allotments__York/

The company has now clocked up over 60 sell-out performances around the country and happily for us are 

returning to York for a second performance on 18th September at Clements Hall, Bishophill 7.30pm 

Tickets can be purchased from Pextons Hardware, Bishopthorpe Road, 

Or send cheque payable to Mikron Theatre Company to: 

Willy Hoedeman

7 Howe Hill Close

York

YO26 4SN

Include a pre-addressed envelope and the tickets will be posted to you by return.

Any queries please E-mail willyh@phonecoop.coop 
or text 0797 486 7301

A special family rate will give you up to 5 tickets for the price of going to the movies! 

It's VERY teenager friendly, so bring a crowd of rowdies!

Look forward to seeing you there!

Bugs on Scarcroft Review

Despite Yorkshire being practically underwater on Friday 22nd June some hardy enthusiasts came to the very successful evening about small friends and foes on the allotments. Chris Malumphy from FERA was a very enthusiastic and knowlegeable visitor and told us lots about new invading pests which is his speciality, and helped us identify a number of insects and other invertebrates found on the site. Chris was impressed by how few pests we actually had, and suggested that the number of birds around was keeping down caterpillar numbers. 


We did find a few butterfly and moth caterpillars, Peacock caterpillars in particular. Peacock and related butterflies feed on nettles, a good reason to leave a few in a sunny position! Hopefully we will have some of these attractive butterflies on the site in a few weeks time.  More info http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/text/1758/the_peacock_butterfly.html

Peacock butterfly caterpillars on nettles

Mullein moth caterpillars on mullein

We also found the gardeners friend - the 7 spot ladybird and it was interesting to compare it to the Harlequin lady bird which we also found. Sadly it is possible that the introduced Harlequin lady bird will replace native ladybirds as it has in North America. We also delved briefly into the sex lives of aphids as we found some on sycamore and ragwort plants, both looked after by ants which tend the aphids and move them around so they can feed on the honeydew they produce. There were plenty of snails and slugs around although my new technique of putting sharp sand around my plants seems to be working!

Nail galls on a Sycamore leaf caused by tiny Aceria mites

Chris asked us to keep an eye open for a fairly new pest the Asian long horn beetle which has been found in Kent and is very damaging to wood and woodlands. More info  http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/pestsDiseases/asianLonghornBeetle/documents/pestAlert.pdf In future we may be contacted to look out for new pests as allotment sites could be a good place to spot them with lots of gardeners and a variety of crops.

Altogether a really interesting evening and many thanks to Chris and his son Daniel the most succesful bug hunter!

Scarcroft Site Care Day

Scarcroft Site Care Day

Sunday 18th March from 2-4pm

Dear Scarcroft allotmenteers

Here are some details about the resheduled Scarcroft site Care Afternoon.

The site Care Afternoon will now be held on the Scarcroft site, in order to do some cleaning and tidying for the coming season.


When: Sunday 18th March from 2-4pm.

Where: We will meet at the Shop/Hut at 2pm, if you come later have a look around the site for the work parties!


What we plan to do;
A litter pick all over the site but particularly along the public paths.

Put a narrow layer of woodchip in the centre of the public path at the back of Scarcroft Hill and Wentworth Rd where it has got really muddy in the last few weeks. Also on any other paths which are getting muddy.

 

Cut back any branches which are going across the paths but nothing drastic as birds will be planning their nest sites.


Do bring work gloves, secateurs, wheelbarrows and shovels if you have them.

We will have some spare gloves, litter pickers and black bags and there are a couple of wheelbarrows in the Hut.

Please dont take any of the woodchips for your own plot until after the 18th March so we can be sure we have enough.

Do email Sara on sararobin1@onetel.com with any other jobs you have noticed which would make the allotments more attractive or secure.

Hot drinks, biscuits and chat available at 3.45 pm in the Hut!

Looking forward to seeing you on the 18th.
All good wishes
Sara

2012 Seed Orders

Dear All

Yes, that time of year is nearly upon us and it's time to start curling up with the seed catalogue for next year.

As in previous years, we can offer members a 35% discount on many seeds from the Mr Fothergills seed catalogue.

Catalogues are available to borrow from the allotment shop (open Sunday 10am - 12noon on Dec 18th, then from 8th Jan 2012) or can be found online at:

http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/

The list of seeds which attract the 35% discount and the allotment association seed order form are available on request from the association (scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk) or at the Allotment Shop on Scarcroft.

Please use the association form to place your seed order; either drop it off at the shop or email a copy of it back to scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk.

Don't send any money in yet; we'll let you know the total when the seeds have arrived.

Any questions just drop us a line to the above address, otherwise happy browsing, planning and ordering!

Potato Availability & Prices 2012‏

 

Seed Potato Orders Deadline - 30th November 2011

Below is the full list of seed potatoes which will be available for the coming season.

Unfortunately, once again last year, we had some wastage on seed potatoes. This year we shall only have a small level of surplus stock over and above that pre-ordered by members and the range of stock varieties has been reduced.

To ensure your requirements are met you are strongly urged to place your seed potato order, either by e-mail to scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk or directly at the allotment shop, before 30th November.
Once again it is the intention to purchase the varieties marked in red in bulk which will enable us to retail these at what we believe is still a very competitive price of £1-20 per kg ( Pink Fir Apple £1-40 per kg ).

All other varieties are available to order in 2.5 kg nets priced around £3-75, however, if there is sufficient demand for a particular variety then these could also be purchased in bulk with a subsequent price reduction.

We regret that we are unable to split 2.5kg bags but you may be able to arrange to share a bag with a fellow plot holder.

First Earlies:

Arran Pilot
Home Guard
Pentland Javelin
Ulster Prince
Ulster Sceptre
Sharpes Express
Duke of York
Maris Bard
Foremost
Vanessa
Epicure
Dunluce
Rocket
Premier
Winston
Red Duke of York
Swift
International Kidney
Lady Christl
Casablanca
Witchill


Second Earlies:

Maris Peer
Catriona
Wilja
Estima
Nadine
Stroma
Marfona
Balmoral
Kestrel
Charlotte
Saxon
Nicola
Carlingford
Bonnie
Pixie
British Queen
Anya
Edgecote Purple
Gladstone
Heather
Ospray
Ulster Sovereign
Vivaldi


Main Crop:

Pentland Crown
Pentland Dell
Pentland Squire
Majestic
Maris Piper
Desiree
King Edward
Romano
Cara
Golden Wonder
Stemster
Kerrs Pink
Pink Fir Apple
Record
Sante
Valor
Maxine
Blue Belle
Picasso
Harmony
Markies
Edzell Blue
Setanta
Argos
Orla
Harlequin
Rooster
Sarpo Mira

Scarcroft & District Allotment Association Autumn Social

Scarcroft & District Allotment Association Autumn Social

At the Golden Ball, 2 Cromwell Road, York

http://www.goldenball-york.co.uk/

Come along to catch up and to discuss what we hope has been another eventful and productive year of gardening for everyone, plot-holders and home gardeners alike

There will be a buffet and a fine selection of drinks available from the bar - as well as good company, of course!

Patrick Cairns

It is with great sadness that we share the news that long term plot holder, allotment shop volunteer, allotment association committee member, Leeds United fan and friend, Patrick Cairns, died suddenly on August 16th 2011.  He was only 47.  We wish his mother, Pat, who gardened his plot with him, and the rest of his family, strength and comfort at this difficult time.

2009

For many years, Patrick was a familiar face on Sunday mornings in the Scarcroft and District allotment association shop, which he ran with Tom Walters.  He will be sadly missed. 

Patrick's Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 2nd at English Martyrs RC Church, Dalton Terrace at 11am, followed by a Burial in Fulford Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations in memory of Patrick will be gratefully received to support St Leonard’s Hospice. A plate will be available at the Church.

Potato Blight Information

Recent rain and mild weather have produced ideal conditions for potato blight.

The link below takes you to some useful information on recognising the symptoms of blight, dealing with infected foliage and choosing blight resistant varieties for next year’s crops.

http://www.potato.org.uk/department/knowledge_transfer/fight_against_blight/index.html?menu_pos=knowledge_transfer

The following link leads to The Blightwatch service, a management tool which is available to farmers and other users free of charge.

http://www.blightwatch.co.uk/content/bw-Home.asp

Hedgehog News

Thank you to Sara for this lovely photo of a Hedgehog which she spotted out on the Scarcroft allotments.

As Sara pointed out, this photo shows why it's not always a good idea to have a fence that goes right down to the ground, as although you might deter the rabbits the hedgehogs can't get in or out to eat your slugs!

The Scarcroft and District Allotment Association 2012 Calendar

Calendar Submissions - last chance

A reminder that you might all wish to take photos of your plots for next year's Scarcroft Calendar.

The deadline for submissions is this Sunday, 16th October



 The suggested theme for the 2012 Calendar is Vegetables, Fruit & Flower from Seed & Blossom, through Growth to Harvest.

We hope that each page in the 2012 Calendar might be devoted to a particular vegetable, fruit or flower - showing all stages of growth from seed to harvest.

The calendar is open to submissions from plot holders and home gardeners.  There is still time to get out in your plots and gardens to get photos of your own produce, or if you have any photos saved which you feel might be worthy of submission, please dig them out and send them in!

 

It's nearly time to begin the selection process for the calendar, so start collecting your photos together and send them to:

sk.austin@btopenworld.com

The closing date for submissions is Sunday 16th October.

Happy Snapping!

Allotment Plot Competition 2011

Posted on behalf of Judith Ward, York Allotments Officer

Dear Allotment Gardeners

Thank you to those people who have sent in nominations for this year's Allotment Competition.  If you've not done so yet, there's still time to nominate plots or to enter your own plot for judging.  Entries and nominations will be accepted up to Friday June 24th.

You can send your nominations by e-mail to allotments@york.gov.uk 

The competition celebrates the skill, hard work and imagination of York’s allotment gardeners.   Is there a plot near yours that cheers up passers by with its flowers, or keeps  several families in fruit and veg?  Have you overcome brambles, docks and thistles on your plot to establish a garden you can be proud of?

Plots will be judged in June and July by a team of allotment site secretaries.  The judges will score each plot on variety and health of the crops, the layout and maintenance of the plot and any special features.  If you’d like a copy of the score sheet please contact Sue Harvey on (01904 553433).

This year the judges have also been invited to recommend plots that deserve special recognition; maybe a new tenant who has transformed a derelict plot in a single season, an older gardener who has kept up high standards over many years or an outstanding community garden.    If you’d like to nominate a plot for special recognition, please give the reasons why this allotment garden is out of the ordinary.

Once again we are very grateful to the competition sponsors.   Brunswick Organic Nursery, Deans Garden Centre and Vertigrow Plant Nursery have all donated vouchers and Nick Milner will be supplying a set of traditional bean poles for each of four area winners.

Prizes will be presented at a special event at the Guildhall, during National Allotments Week in August.

Government Review of Statutory Duties - Links & Tips

Further to the previous post regarding the upcoming government review, which could threaten the provision of allotments, here are some more links and guidance with regards to the online forms and what we can all do to help.

The Government has announced a "Review of statutory duties", aimed at identifying and removing duties from local authorities which are a "burden".  One of the duties they are considering removing is the duty to provide sufficient number of allotments for people in the area who want one. This means ALL allotments, including existing ones, not just new ones.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Look at the Government's web page on "Review of statutory duties placed on local government" at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/tacklingburdens/reviewstatutoryduties/

Then fill in the "Statutory duties webform" which is in the top right-hand corner, or go to:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GP7BKKT


Time is short. We have only until 25 April.

The form is a bit confusing, so please find below some model answers which you can use, or you could of course write your own. But do fill in the form!

Statutory duties webform questions, with some suggested answers:

1. Please quote the reference number for the duty or duties you are commenting on.
DCLG_136

2. What does this duty help local authorities to achieve?
Provide sufficient number of allotments for those in their area that want one.

3. Does undertaking this duty present local authorities with a burden?
NO

4. In your opinion, could this duty be removed?
NO

5. What are the particular benefits of this duty being removed and who would benefit?
...

6. What do you consider are the adverse effects of removing this duty and who would this affect?
We could lose many allotments just at a time they have become hugely popular in
many sections of the community, and when were are increasingly concerned about
the need for more exercise and a healthy diet for individuals, and about food security
for the nation...

7. Are you aware of any guidance - statutory or non-statutory - associated regulations or powers that are associated with this duty? If so please list them here.
Non statutory guidance: "Allotments: A plot holders' guide" at
http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/resources/allotments-a-plotholders-guide-new-edition-mainmenu-151

8. In your opinion are powers and/or guidance helpful or do they create a burden?
The guidance is helpful.

9. Would you like to add any general comments about this particular duty?
Local government allotment provision has functioned well and at very little expense for many years.
The benefits to the public are difficult to measure, but must be substantial, and reach beyond allotment
holders and their families to the community at large...

Your chance to have your say - local council allotment provision

Our local council allotments officer has drawn our attention to the following, which should be of interest to all.


The duty of local councils to provide allotments is included in an ongoing government review of 'burdens' on local authorities.

 Please follow the below link to see details of this "review of statutory duties placed on local government":

http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/tacklingburdens/reviewstatutoryduties/
 
Allotments are only mentioned at line 137 of the first spreadsheet, so this item takes some finding.

The review is under consultation until next Monday, April 25th and responses are invited from the general public as well as from councillors and council staff.

If you'd like to register your views, follow the link on the right of the web page to the  'Statutory duties webform'.  It's quite quick and simple to complete.

Seed Potatoes: Now only 50 pence per Kilo!

Seed Potatoes at just 50 pence per kilo, now available at the Allotment Association's shop on Scarcroft http://bit.ly/eDlEZv.  Assorted varieties available, come down to the shop to take advantage of this special offer before they are all snapped up.