Page 9 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2024

Wineberries
Waste! It both greatly concerns and annoys me the amount of waste that is produced; everything thrown away has cost money, resources and materials to make. There
is often nothing wrong with things, just someone cannot be bothered to store or use it or pass it onto someone else to use. We have the builders in at work and they must be one of the worst offenders. There was new wood completely unused, new cable ties, screws, and other useful things. Even some of the things that had been used could have been reused by someone. We really do need to reduce our waste, not only will it help the economy, but reduce resources and imports and less energy
is required to make products. If the new Government wants to raise taxes it should tax waste disposal more.
Before you throw anything away look and think has it another use, could I get more out of it or could someone else, it does not matter whether it is wood, metal, plastic, clothing, plant waste, soil etc. it is likely there is another use for it and likely to save you or someone else money. The aim should be zero waste and as low a carbon footprint as possible: purchase less and reuse more. Having mentioned zero waste, I am not sure this is achievable but certainly very low waste is with a bit of effort by people.
O.K another rant over and I feel better after that! So, what is in this quarter’s magazine and just in case you are wondering why it is in this particular order this is the order they came in and I have just added as new articles have arrived. Derek Brooks is always the first and sends his articles months in advance, thanks Derek; he covers the October to December period in this magazine. Ron Nuttall has
sent a steady stream of articles over the last couple of months covering a range of topics so there should be something of interest for everyone. I received another letter from Roger Clement on costs for his Bristol allotment and another poem from Nigel Ball. It amazes me how people write poems; I would not have a clue; the best I could do is the boy stood on the burning deck......., a couple of more letters also arrived just in time for this issue.
Gerry Edwards was nice and early
with his article on exhibiting which I was pleased to receive (see my comments below). There are a few articles by me,
too many actually and I would be pleased to receive articles from any members.
How many get published will depend
on the space left when the other articles are received. There is an article on slugs which is a bit of a follow up from the last magazine giving more details on control and there are also a number of comments on slugs in other authors articles, and
a letter so they have obviously been a problem this year. If any members have any good methods of getting rid of or reducing the number of slugs do please let us know, they are pretty well the number one garden pest in the UK. If you want to get rich just invent or develop a safe reasonable priced slug control!
Also, the second article on growing
in Scotland this time the first part on vegetables, if any Scottish or Northern Branch members would like to comment on these again, please get in touch. Very nicely timed is an excellent article by Emily Harris on the crops in her garden which will make a nice change from my ramblings.
I could not let the October issue of the magazine go without my annual reminder
it is the start of the dormant season so is tree planting time. The Woodland Trust
say when it comes to climate change
our message is clear woods and trees
are essential to tackle climate change which is having a huge impact and as individuals, we can feel helpless. But there is something we can do – plant more trees. Trees are only part of the solution we also need to reduce global CO2 emissions, but we still need to plant more trees. Especially if we hope to reach carbon net zero by 2050. 350 tonnes of carbon per hectare
is locked up in trees, roots and soil of a 100-year-old mixed native woodland.
So, order your fruit trees or any type of tree if you have space in the garden and remember most fruit trees are available on dwarfing rootstocks making them suitable for the smallest garden or even container growing. Get your order in early to make sure you get the cultivar and rootstock you want.
Finally, I am conscious of the fact
that there has been little on exhibiting vegetables and fruit in recent issues apart from Gerry Edwards article in this edition. This is not because I am anti exhibiting / showing but simply I am not an exhibitor and do not have the skills to do a good reasonable in-depth article; it needs to be written by experts, the exhibitors. So, if you want articles about exhibiting get pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, I am happy to type it up. Don’t be shy and if you want to encourage new exhibitors an article or two would help and give them an idea of what is involved. Having said that if there is any vegetable or fruit related topic you feel you could write on please put pen to paper; it does not matter how long or short it is or whether you have any photographs or not.
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