Page 12 - ALG Issue 3 2016

Snippits
Top tips for your garden
snippits
• If your tomatoes aren’t quite ripe, but them in a paper bag with a banana and this should speed up the ripening process.
• When saving seeds from various plants, don’t take all of the seeds, leave some seed heads for birds to enjoy.
• On sunny days mix two tablespoons of granulated white sugar and one table spoon of water and leave this mixture in an egg cup amongst your owers for bees. This will be
a nice pick-me-up for bees to enjoy before getting back to work, and will also boost their energy.
• Always check your compost pile for signs of wildlife such as hedgehogs before turning. The warm location and availability of insects attracts hedgehogs to compost piles but if you spot any entrance holes, tracks or droppings, refrain from turning your pile until you no longer see these tell tale signs.
• Stick to Mike Thurlow’s seasonal jobs when you can, but weather may push some tasks back slightly. Don’t worry if you can’t do some things until a month later than planned, as long as the task is completed eventually.
Food sharing App
OLIO – new food sharing app for your phone http://olioex.com/ OLIO is a free app which connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses to exchange their edible surplus food. Think food nearing its sell-by date in local stores, spare vegetables from the allotment, bread from your baker, or the groceries in your fridge when you go away. The list goes on. OLIO is super easy. To make food available, simply open the app,
add a photo, description, price (if applicable), and when and where the item is available for pick-up. To access food, simply browse available items near you, request whatever takes your fancy and arrange a pick-up via private messaging.
Funding opportunity
The Aviva Community Fund will open for project submissions on 13th September 2016. The Aviva Community Fund offers support and funding to a wide variety of causes. Last year they supported 431 great initiatives with awards ranging from £500 to £25,000. Have a look at their website to see projects that they have funded previously http:// www.aviva.co.uk/good-thinking/ community-fund/
Kings Catalogue
The new NAS/Kings catalogue will be available from the end of July, individual members will receive one with this magazine but Societies
will need to contact the Corby
of ce to request their copies. natsoc@nsalg.org.uk 01536 266576.
Public Health Conference
The National Allotment Society joined over 80 organisations exhibiting at the two day Faculty of Public Health Conference in Brighton in June. Delegates at the conference discussed a wide range of issues around improving health and well- being, healthy cities and sustainability.
Battle Proms ticket winners
Congratulations to -
A Giscombe, Welwyn Garden City
Kate James, Northampton
Candice Pontin-Gray, Moseley
Steven Thomas, Vale of Glamorgan
Clive Bilby, Kent
Clare Spearing, Somerset
You have all won a pair of tickets to the Battle Proms event of your choice!
A wide range of products to
assist with all your needs
Compost bins, water butts, puncture proof tyres, hedge cutting platforms & the well known & established Globe Shredders
0121 243 3687 info@greenshredder.co.uk www.greenshredder.co.uk
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