Page 20 - ALG Issue 2 2021

Snippets
Health and wellbeing
Email renewal system is going well
It has now been two months since we started sending subscription renewals via email
rather than by post. The feedback on the new system thus far has been extremely positive and we have recently added more security in the form of a two-step verification process when Association affiliate lists are emailed. If you have not received details of this step, contact: natsoc@nsalg. org.uk
Metaldehyde Ban
From the 31 March 2021 metaldehyde was no
longer available to buy
from manufacturers. The use of metaldehyde will be phased out over 18 months to give growers time to adjust to other methods of slug control. Onward sale by distributors and use of the products will then still be allowed for a further 12 months until 31 March 2022.
Renewing your membership using online banking?
Many thanks for using this quick and cost- effective method, but so that we know who has paid, please do not forget to use your membership number as reference!
Did you take the opportunity to fill
in the allotment diary as part of the MYHarvest project? 163 plotholders did and their unprompted comments from the year-long diary has given the researchers from the University of Sheffield valuable insight into the thoughts of allotment gardeners and the benefits they take from tending to their plots. Check out page 43 to read about a plot supporting patients with mental health problems. If you would like to tell us about an interesting project or how your plot supports your health and wellbeing, email diane@ nsalg.org.uk.
“MY LITTLE PIECE OF THE PLANET”: THE MULTIPLICITY OF WELLBEING BENEFITS FROM ALLOTMENT GARDENING Participants recorded high levels
of social and community activities including the sharing of surplus
food and knowledge, awareness and interaction with wildlife, emotional connection to their allotment, appreciation of time spent outside and aesthetic delight in the natural world around them.
"Our research demonstrates that allotments, across the country, provide their tenants with a huge spectrum of benefits beyond fruit and vegetables. Mental and physical health, community
It is clear that allotments are a haven for their tenants: with own- growing having exploded in popularity in 2020
resilience, social connection, experiencing nature, and a culture of sharing knowledge and produce were just some of the co-benefits mentioned by our study participants.
It is clear that allotments are a haven for their tenants: with own-growing having exploded in popularity in 2020, this study shows that addressing growing waiting lists and providing more people with space to grow their own food would have a far-reaching positive impact on many aspects of their life."
Miriam C Dobson
PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield and lead author of the study
University partnership helps quantify carbon capture by volcanic rock dust
Experts at Newcastle University are helping quantify the inorganic carbon captured by volcanic rock dust. It is calculated that 70kg-230kg of CO2
is captured per tonne when the soil and compost remineraliser REMIN is applied.
Once in the soil, as organic matter decomposes the product weathers as it is exposed to the CO2 produced in the soil. This weathering
process captures the CO2 that
would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. The captured CO2
will either go into soil solution as bicarbonate or be captured in the soil as the mineral calcite.
For more information: Ivan Lazarov, ivan.lazarov@ncl.ac.uk
Courtesy of Media Relations at Newcastle University
20 Allotment and Leisure Gardener