Welcome to Dentdale in the Yorkshire Dales   DENT ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Spring 2010

Dear All

This is our second newsletter of the year the aim is to keep you all up to date on our Allotments.

General Information on our Association

• We have 28 plots allocated.
• 10 Support members.
• The Hedge laying is now complete and the residue has now been burnt.
• In the Notes of our Meeting 4^th May, you will have seen we have decided to pump water from the river into a large tank and then pipe the water to a number of stand pipes on the south side of our plots.
• Grass cutting - we have agreed with Jim Burton to cut the grass in the main areas of the allotment, please remember to cut the right hand side of your plot facing away from the river.
• A lot of stones from the plots have been left in the public area of the allotments would you please remove any stone and throw them into the river. If the grass is not kept clear Jim will not be able to cut the grass.
• Plans are also moving ahead for a Shed, we are going to see Davis Hartley early next month.
• Tools must not be left in the hedgerow please store them on you plot or take them home.
• Health & Safety details are now on our website please have a look.
• All information about our Association is on www.dentdale.com/allotments

Notices to members

• The AGM is now booked for the 20^th July at 7.30pm.

• ‘Can you help’ Do you have a 500 approx gallon water tank to pump our water into?
• Compost and Recycling meeting is on the 11^th May, hope you all can make it.
• Dent Open Gardens is on the 23rd May and we have agreed to take part this year, if you are able to work on your allotment from 1.00pm that will be great.

Vegetable Sowing Guide for May/ June

UG = under glass    OS =outside dependant on weather conditions                                 

Tips

·    Rake the soil over to break down any clods and rake in some general purpose fertilizer such as pelleted chicken manure or growmore at a rate of around 112g (2oz) per square metre or yard about a week to ten days before planting.

·    Sow carrots 6mm (1/4in) deep in well prepared soil that has been fertilised but not recently manured to prevent forked roots. Thin in evening and water well afterwards to deter carrot fly.

·    Plant dwarf beans directly into the ground late May so that all danger of frost has gone by the time they emerge. For an earlier start sow indoors at the beginning of the May one seed per pot.

·    Courgettes and Marrows can be planted indoors in May one seed per 3 inch pot. If the weather is fine at the end of May plant directly into soil 2 seeds per station remove weakest one. Plant on a mound to prevent stem rot.

·    Harden off young plants about two weeks before you plan to plant out.

·    Remember to sow salad crops little and often so you can enjoy a succession of salad throughout the summer.

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Late winter 2010

Dear All

This is our first newsletter of the year the aim is to keep you all up to date on our Allotments.

General Information on our Association

• We have 25 plots allocated.
• 10 Support members.
• The Hedge laying is nearly complete and will be burnt in the spring.
• The weekend removing the Turf was very successful and a great involvement by all who could attend.
• We are in the process of getting prices for Water Troughs, Notice board and Lawn mowers/ strimmer.
• We are also going to arrange 3 Talks a year on subject related to gardening.
• Insurance policy has been obtained for the year.
• Health & Safety details will be published in the next month.
• All information about our Association is on www.dentdale.com/allotments
• Potatoes ordered via the Association will be delivered late January/February

Notices to members

• ‘Can you help’ we are looking for volunteers that could help in connecting up our Water Troughs in the Allotments
• We also need volunteers for a rota to cut the grass in the main public areas can you help
• If you require farmhouse manure this year please contact David Hartley, he will deliver a load (£10) to your plot. Top soil is also available from him.
• There are a number of wooden stakes on the ground David has agreed we can have these for staking our fruit bushes.

Vegetable Sowing Guide for January/ February

UG = under glass    OS =outside dependant on weather conditions                                 

Tips

·        Arrange all seeds in order of sowing month.

·        Place protection over area a few weeks before sowing outside to warm and dry out soil.

·         Soil needs to be 7C before carrots and parsnips can be sown.

·        Outside sowings will benefit from cloche protection in late winter.

·        Use soil-less compost for cabbage sowing to prevent club root.

·        Soak parsley seeds overnight to improve germination

·        Leeks sown indoors like a night temperature of 13C-15C

·        Chit first early potatoes in a frost free place with plenty of light.

·        Overwinter onions love potash so give them a boost in January.

·        Peas and Broad beans have long roots so plant in a deep tray.

·        Carrots likes the soil Ph to be around 6.5

·        Garlic likes a cold spell to grow so plant as soon as possible.