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Calling all plotholders! We will be having our Annual General Meeting on Sunday 28th March 2010 at 12 noon in the Community Garden area. All plotholders are welcome to come along and make their opinions count. We are always looking for new ideas as to how we can improve the site. Hope to see you all there. The January 2010 Birmingham Allotments Newsletter gave details of a proposed talk on Sunday 14th February 2010 at Walsall Road Allotments about how to attract bees to allotments. A few of us decided to go along and see what the buzz (excuse the pun) was all about. Dr. Adam Bates, a researcher from the University of Birmingham, discussed his work monitoring the populations of solitary and other species of bees on urban green spaces. He has been putting up bee hotels on various allotment sites in Birmingham and checking just which bees took up residence. He had several samples to show us and it was fascinating to hear and see the diverse ways bees set about nesting and laying their eggs. I particularly enjoyed the story of the “sleepy” bee which settles itself in a buttercup flower in the evening, before the flower closes, and then sets off about its business the next morning when the flower reopens. There are even species of “cuckoo bee” which lay their eggs in other bees’ nests and get them to raise their offspring. If the Association is in agreement, we may even take part in Adam’s research by playing host to a couple of Adam’s bee hotels at Court Lane Allotments. If you are interested to learn more about reporting sightings of bees and other creatures, go to ispot.org.uk Jim Hickman from Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham Beekeepers also answered questions about having beehives on allotments. Birmingham City Council appears to be supportive of this, provided stringent criteria are met regarding the siting and care of the hives and appropriate insurance is in place. This could be a possible venture for Court Lane Allotments. As some of our plotholders are beekeepers, it’s certainly worth considering. Posted by Lin On Saturday 13th February a group of Court Lane Allotmenteers gathered together for a day’s lesson on how to graft fruit trees. The tutor for the day was Geoff Croft, an experienced nurseryman who runs Walnut Tree Nursery and has a special interest in fruit trees. After an initial chat about the history of grafting, the “biology” of fruit trees and about the different sort of rootstocks that can be used, the practical session began. Geoff made it look very easy (which it isn’t) and we were advised to be very careful as we were using very sharp knives. We were shown how to do a “whip and tongue” graft and then had a go ourselves. There was a wonderful array of old apple varieties from which to choose. Despite a few minor accidents ( the First Aid Kit got an outing), and more than a little mess, we all managed to achieve at least one or two grafted specimens. Time will tell how sucessful our attempts will be, but anticipation is half the fun of gardening, isn’t it? It was great fun and hopefully we will run other events of a similar nature. Though I’m not sure Ming’s lovely goretex jacket will ever recover from the experience. The day was brilliantly organised by Rhoda who also supplied a very tasty lunch of homemade soup and rolls. Many thanks to her and to Geoff for a wonderful day. Words by Lin. Photos by Ming. The new growing season is just over the horizon, and so you can stock up with all you need, the site shop will opening on Saturday 6th March. We will have new stock, 1/2 price seeds and Godwins compost at 3 for £10, as well as the usual bargains. Do come along. Posted by Lin We have finally set up a Facebook page (thanks Sarah) so please add us to your friends list and spread the word. Here is the link.
Calling all plotholders! Come along to a fish and chip supper (vegetarians also catered for) on Friday 6th November at 7pm. There is a notice on the main gate to the allotments. You must let Ken or Olive know by 5th November if you want to come. Don’t be shy. It’s a great way to meet, chat and socialise with other plotholders. You can swap veg tips, ask advice and generally get to know everybody. This Sunday, 25th October 12 – 8pm. There is a Family Funday from 12 until 5 with a Ceilidh in the evening.
Well, it certainly has been a busy summer. Everbody has been working hard on their plots and enjoying the produce that has now come despite the not so very sunny summer. On the social front, we’ve had a barbecue on the 8th August where Court Lane Allotmenteers had the chance to speak and get to know each other better over drinks and food as opposed to over a fork or spade. Ken, one of our plotholders has kindly done a photo montage of the event and as you can see much food was consumed.
Apart from eating food we also have taken part in the Birmingham Gardeners Weekend 2009. It was held at Kings Heath Park and we entered a stall of our veg to see whether any prizes could be won. We managed to get third so next year the plans are for second or better. Below is a slideshow of our experiences at Gardeners Weekend and here is the link to slideshow.
By popular request we will be setting up a Recipe section on the website. If you have any tasty recipes to include, please email Leo and he will put it on the site. Send your emails to:- contribute@courtlaneallotments.com Posted by Lin All the crops are ripening on the allotments with some gluts (particularly courgettes)! Yesterday we went blackberry picking on the waste ground behind the allotments. It reminded me of this song my daughter sang at primary school at harvest time. Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green, Strawberries sweeter than any I’ve seen Beetroot purple and onions white, All grow steadily day and night The apples are ripe, the plums are red, Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed
Blackberries juicy and rhubarb sour, Marrows that are fattening hour by hour. Gooseberries hairy and lettuces fat Radishes round and runner beans flat The apples are ripe, the plums are red, Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed
Reddening tomatoes that used to be green, Brown potatoes in little heaps, Down in the darkness where the celery sleeps The apples are ripe, the plums are red, Broad beans are sleeping in a blankety bed
I defy you not to sing this when you’re next harvesting your crops! Posted by Lin |
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Maintained by Leonardo Morgado - This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. |
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