Page 29 - Simply Veg 1 2024

Have I got a Favourite
Of all the vegetables I grow
I don’t know what I like the best
Runner beans picked fresh
Or would it be new potatoes pure happiness.
It could be tomatoes picked straight from the vine Sweet 100 a favourite of mine
Don’t forget the carrots, sweet candle all the time Beautiful subjects, planted in a line.
What about the winter veg I hear you cry Sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli
You have got to grow for a flavour or is it for show. But be sure with NVS you are always in the know.
Equipment you will need
Equipment you will need as a gardener Stout shoes or boots overalls and a jacket Hats for those winter and summer days Seeds many a packet.
Forks and spades, rakes and hoes Hang up in the gardeners shed
Just make a plan so everyone knows Write it down don’t keep it in your head.
Hose pipes and labels compost ready
Seed trays and modules watch those seed grow Don’t sow too early just take it steady
If in doubt just ask someone, in the know.
Most of all enjoy your garden and your tools Look after your mental health that’s the rule Look after your soil, it will look after you
Don’t go on the garden if it sticks to your shoe.
Tools that are old or new
All have their place for you
Be kind to them enjoy the feel
As you know gardening is very real.
Nigel
Letters
Dear Editor,
No-dig or dig, I’ve tried both
and some months ago I wrote re
my research into these different cultivation methods. The 124m2
plot I have was divided in half east
to west to give one of each type. Unfortunately, I then had an operation to remove a non-malignant tumour which are apparently common and do not spread, should members have a similar experience.
I nearly gave up the plot when
the council invoice for the allotment rent arrived as there was a 100% increase up to £100.00 a year with
no consultation (Extortionate, some councils need their heads testing!
– Ed). With my stay in hospital the plot is covered in 1.2m high weeds, flowers and green manure I had sown earlier. I will recommence my trials when the plot is ready again.
Apparently digging releases carbon into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide a greenhouse gas which is to be discouraged. With no-dig just one forking to remove the weeds and large stones, cover with cardboard and cover that with horse manure and own compost. Charles Dowding advocates planting into this and reports good crops – (he writes in a number of magazines and has written some books as a well as many Youtubes if you wish to learn more -Ed)
Mutated Marrows
Brian Jenner very kindly sent in the pictures of a marrow he grew last year that mutated; it is amazing what vegetables can do, one way of getting a good crop!
On another point in Bristol and South Gloucester a team has brought up some agricultural land and plan
to offer allotments at varying prices for small, medium and two large plots. They employed a legal adviser who said in his opinion council planning controls were only partially applicable re the planned use of the land for allotments. It is hoped that this scheme is successful as some councils are rumoured to be charging as high as £200.00 per annum for a full plot.
Arguable there is a danger of councils relinquishing their powers re allotment to private enterprise as council inspections loom especially for bankrupt cities. Bristol has closed toilets and tried to close libraries to reduce its costs. With rooms for flats costing £500,000, allotments are a wasting asset and with developers building homes at £650,000 our 240 plot site now has a phone number value!
Roger Clements, Midland Branch Roger raises some good point in his letter as many councils are under financial strain and raising money from allotment site sales is very tempting. It is important to defend
as many sites as possible and we should be encouraging the opening of new sites as more houses with small gardens are constructed - Ed
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