2013 Calendar

Look out for the Scarcroft and District Allotment Association 2013 Calendar

On sale in the Allotment Shop, Pextons and Frankie & Johnny's Cook Shop on Bishopthorpe Road from first week in November. Priced £5 
Yes! Only £5 how's that for solving Christmas gift ideas.
Limited number printed so don't delay.

Once again this community project would not be possible without the photographic contributions from Association members and the support from our local businesses.

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

Bean Poles, Fence Posts & Bamboo Canes

Various structural support solutions are now available at the Allotment Association's shop on Scarcroft http://bit.ly/eDlEZv.

Come on down to take a look.

Silver Birch Bean Poles: £9 for 15 poles

These 8' Silver Birch poles (pictured above and below right) are cut from sustainably managed woods in the Vale of York.
The uneven texture of the poles gives the plants a better grip than imported bamboo cane.
A bundle of fifteen poles will make a sturdy frame with seven uprights each side and one crosspiece.
Properly stored they will give you several years' service.

Fence posts: £2 each, 5' 6" x 2"

Sturdy fence posts are also available at the bargain price of only £2 each, pictured to the right resting amongst the bean poles, and modelled below by the glamourous hut assistant, George.

Bamboo Canes: Various lengths available

See attached photo, always available in the Association Shop.

Dean's Discount Details

As a member of the Scarcroft and District Allotment Association you are entitled to a discount of 10% of purchases at Dean's Garden Centre.  To get the discount you need to show you up to date membership card.

The discount includes the following:

• houseplants
• shrubs
• trees
• perennials
• bedding
• roses
• climbers
• conifers
• fruit
• herbs
• vegetable plants
• aquatics
• vegetable seeds
• flower seeds
• bulbs
• stoneware
• fish and aquatic plants
• fertilisers
• chemicals
• tools
• hoses/sprayers
• hanging baskets
• garden sundries
• planters/covers
• floral art
• pond & water features
• cut flowers
• basket plants (seedlings)
• Christmas trees - fresh
• propagating trays
• outdoor pots - terracotta/glazed
• composts & peat

Discount is NOT given on the following:

• barbeques & accessories
• Christmas goods
• Gift tokens
• Greenhouses/Sheds/Summerhouses
• Beekeeping
• Outdoor Gifts
• Furniture (including wooden)
• Charcoal & Fuels
• Turf
• Delivery Charges
• Books (incl. newspapers & gardening magazines)
• Gifts & Cards
• Food & Drinks (inc. sweets, jams, drinks, ice creams, biscuits, hampers, eggs and fruit & vegetables)

http://www.deansgardencentre.co.uk/

York Garden Centre

Stockton Lane
Stockton-on-the-Forest

York, YO32 9UE

Tel: 01904 400141

Fax: 01904 400157

Monday - Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm

Sunday 10.30am - 4:30pm

Prickly Hedges

If you are considering planting a prickly hedge around your plot to increase plot security, we would like to draw your attention to a collection of hedgerow plants sold by the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV).

They have put together a collection of those species commonly found in the wild. 50 plants will create a double hedge 10m long or 24m if planted in a single line.

The hedgerow collection contains  - 50 bare rooted trees. size 40 -60 cm  £23.80

• 25 Hawthorn
• 5 Blackthorn  
• 5 Hazel
• 5 Field Maple
• 5 Dog Rose
• 5 Guelder Rose

Planting a mix of vaieties like these have the advantage of   sustaining and attracting a variety of wildlife, which single species hedges like beech do not.

Hugh MacPherson (Scarcroft) has bought from them before and reports that they are excellent quality and stayed alive.  

Oh course if you do plant a hedge on your allotment, please discuss it with your adjoining plot holders first and maintain it so that it does not grow to a height of more than 1.5m at the absolute maximum.  According to your tennancy agreement all hedges should be kept to a height of 1.5m.  It would be a shame to plant a prickly hedge to increase security and then grow it to such a height that it created a further problem by creating 'secret' areas of the site that then become a target for vandalism and rough sleepers.

Visit their website to buy and to get planting instructions.  http://shop.btcv.org.uk/shop/level2/72/level

Tel: 01302 388 883 (Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm)

Needless to say hedge planting would probably not be popular on Hospital Field or more open parts of the Hob Moor or Scarcroft sites.  If in doubt consult your neighbours and your site secretary.

Sara Robin, Scarcroft.

Fruit Tree Specialist

If you, like me, have had fruit tree envy this year you may be interested to know that there is a copy of the Winter Season Fruit List 2009/2010, from R V Roger in the hut.  R V Roger Ltd are fruit specialist nurserymen based in Pickering.  Their range of field-grown fruit trees is one of the best in the country, including many traditional varieties which are becoming quite rare.  They do a whole range of root stock and espallier, cordons etc.  They gave me some good advice as to which varieties would be good for an allotment.  They also deliver.