DIG THIS!
Newcastle Allotments Newsletter

SUMMER 2010

Welcome all to this edition of Dig This. I see that this has been the driest start to the year since 1914. Well it is raining as I write this and the plants can be heard sucking up the moisture. I have had reports that the unusually dry period has contributed to some stunting of plants and to fruit being smaller than usual but I suppose that we have to pay for the weather changes. It makes it all the more important that we conserve what we have and keeping soil moisture to reasonable levels is an important part of that. Mulches help considerably and can add moisture retaining humus to the soil at the same time. A healthy worm population will aid this process and the rotting mulch will be much appreciated by the worms. If you have too little material for a vegetative mulch you can also create a soil mulch by keeping the hoe going, but not too deep because you don't want to expose too much of the damp soil in lower levels
Watering is, of course, an alternative but it has its pitfalls. It takes a lot of water to soak soil to levels where plant roots can take it up. If the moisture is merely in the top of the soil the roots will turn to the surface to seek it and as soon as there is some dryness the damp layer will rapidly dry and the plant will suffer.

2010 Allotment and Garden Show

 Now about the show. The brochures have been distributed and are available from your secretary or additional supplies can be obtained from Parks and Countryside Services.
There are some changes to the schedule which we hope will encourage more entries.
There will be the usual stalls, including an activity stall for the youngsters, so all are welcome and remember your money as we will have preserves, fresh vegetables and flowers for sale.
That reminds me we are always looking for contributions to the stall, so if you have surplus produce, which we could sell, please bring it along or contact your AWG rep who will collect. There will also be a tombola with some super prizes but if you have any unwanted gifts which you would care to contribute then our tombola queen, Louise Hetherington, would be pleased to help you make more space in your home. Contact your AWG rep who will pass on your gift to Louise. All money raised will go to the AWG funds which are used to support allotment sites throughout Newcastle.
BBC Radio Newcastle will transmit their garden programme from the show so if you have gardening problems you can have them answered by their gardening experts.
 See you there.

Helen Raper has kindly provided this summary of the Allotment Strategy presently being presented to the various Council area groups. If you wish to see the whole thing visit the website at www.newcastleallotments.co.uk .

An Allotment Strategy for Newcastle upon Tyne

Where are we now?
Newcastle City Council manages 62 allotment sites with approximately 2500 plots. This equates to 46.62ha of growing land.  0.17ha per 1000 population or 16 plots per 1000 households. A further 21.70ha of allotment land is located on privately manages sites.

Newcastle City Council’s allotment sites are managed by associations.  Associations elect representatives onto the Allotment Working Group, this group oversees the allotment budget and allotment development in Newcastle.

Increase in demand
 

Allotments are currently very popular with over 800 people on waiting lists.  In response to this demand the Allotment Working Group along with Newcastle City Council have developed an allotment strategy.  The strategy sets out targets for the next 5 years to increase the provision and quality of allotment sites.

Where do we want to be?
The Allotment Strategy outlines 3 principles

Principle 1 - Newcastle City Council should aspire to meet both current and future demand for allotments.

This will be achieved through

• Better management of current stock
• Increased use of half plots
• Protection of the 62 existing sites
• Identification of new land for allotments

Principle 2 – Newcastle’s devolved management structure should be used to continue to improve the quality of allotment sites.

This will be achieved through

• More active liaison with councillors and senior officers
• Ensuring that all sites have water, secure perimeters, toilets and facilities for older and less able members.
• Promoting communal and social activities on sites.
• Encouraging school involvement
• Producing a co-ordinated plan to deter crime
• Collating information on flooding.

Principle 3 – recognise the contribution allotments make to Newcastle’s environmental and ecological wellbeing

This will be achieved through

• Promotion of organic gardening methods
• Work with Newcastle University to research carbon savings of allotments
• Initiating a pilot project to produce renewable energy on an allotment site
• Promoting wildlife and bee friendly gardening
• Identifying sites where more hedging can be planted

What happens next?

• Consultation with Officers, Members and Allotment Gardeners.

• Presentation to the Newcastle Executive in September 2010.

For more information please contact Helen Raper on 0191 278 3077

You will all be aware now that there are nowhere near enough allotments available in Newcastle and the AWG are keen to ensure, that where there is demand and sites can be obtained, that every effort is made to provide those sites for allotment use. Your help would be appreciated and if you know of any sites that may be suitable please contact the AWG or Helen Raper/Mark Todd.

BEE STRATEGY
 Quite a lot has been written recently about bees and the effects on food production if they continue to decline at the present rate. As responsible gardeners I am sure you do all you can to look after one of our greatest allies. However, it is worth a reminder that you should avoid using plant sprays when bees are busy and that it is useful to provide somewhere for the solitary varieties to hang out in the winter and during bad weather. Suitable homes can be purchased ready-made or you can provide a pile of hollow sticks in a sheltered spot. Lack of any disturbance is important and I am sure that most of us can find a suitable spot. You will find more information on this and suitable plants to encourage and support them at www.bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk.

Members of the AWG are very much involved in the present activity to encourage and support bee-keeping among, particularly, allotment holders. If you are interested you can contact your AWG rep who will pass on your interest to the appropriate organisation.

AND NOW TO THE ENVIRONMENT!

Many of you will, no doubt, be concerned about what is happening to our planet and wondering what you can do to help restore some normality. I do not intend getting into arguments about global warming but it is worthwhile considering that as temporary guardians of our childrens’/grandchildrens’ futures on this world we might all take even small steps to protect what we will ultimately be passing on to them. So here goes. Bye the bye this need not be a one-off and I give an invitation to you all to contribute to this discussion.
 

WATER

Talking about the weather you will have noticed how much water we have been given recently for free. I hear regularly how much it costs associations to meet their water bills and there is no doubt that Northumbrian Water charge a lot for the commodity. How much cheaper, therefore, would it be if efforts were made to catch and use what falls for free and in quite large quantities out of the sky and only use piped supplies in times of drought. Individually you can catch rain run-off from buildings into suitable containers and water stored in, say, a poly tunnel can be applied warm to the plants rather than at cold tap temperature. Such efforts to conserve rainwater could also help in areas where flooding is a problem during heavy and prolonged rain. Supplies of suitable containers are available can be obtained at reasonable prices. Remember that not only will you be saving money but you will also be making a very real contribution to helping the environment.

COMPOST

Do you compost all your household and allotment waste that is suitable? If not do you make sure it goes to an organisation that does? Compost is one of the major sources of humus, the material that changes ground stone and clay into what we call soil. It is essential for the support of plants and the bacteria which allow plants to feed from soil and without it the Americans created the great dust bowls that at one time were fertile productive farms. If you are unable to produce your own, why not start a communal composting area on your own site. Large amounts of suitable material with added stable manure will heat-up quickly and produce high quality compost very quickly particularly if it is turned regularly with, say, a rotovator.
Anyone out there with a worm composter? If so perhaps you would like to add your experiences of its use and benefits. I know that using the products from mine produces strong, healthy and bug resistant plants.

Anything that helps to combat the changes which, I have no doubt you will agree, are becoming all too apparent is a step in the right direction and I will happily publish any ideas you have along similar lines. It would also help if those of you who are taking steps of a similar nature will let me know so that I can pass on your experiences to help others.

CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME

Contributions to this newsletter are welcome, whether they are news items about site activities or personalities, ideas, opinions or criticisms.
Contact me on 0191 2665910 email michaelarmstrong07@btinternet.com
Or Mark Todd on 0191 278 3094 email mark.todd@newcastle.gov.uk 

The Allotments Working Group is made up of elected and co-opted representatives from across Newcastle and operates under the auspices of the City Council. 

Webmaster, Jim Lowery: 07799 406975 for messages, or via the website email link