Page 58 - ALG Issue 4 2017

South West
Welcome to our new members...
Bitton Parish Council
Bower Hinton Allotment Association 5 individual members
Tiverton allotments express support for their fellow plotholders in Coventry
For the rst time Tiverton Allotment and Cottage Garden Association had a stand at the Mid-Devon Town and Country Show in 2017. The opportunity arose following the chairman’s successful participation
in showing vegetables for the rst time
in 2016 - however, in 2017 he had no success at all. In preparation for the show, Kings Seeds generously gave us a box
of seed packets that were given away at three packs per person. In no time at all we discovered the popularity of Kings as all packets were gone within an hour and a half. The chairman had been given two trowels by Wilkinson Sword following his complaint about nails in handles of his own. These were raf ed off to raise funds
to help cover some of the costs of the stand.
We were busy all day giving growing advice, responding to enquiries about the availability of allotment plots in the town and listening to moans and complaints about rental charges. Most importantly though, we chatted with allotment holders from as far away as Oxford, Warwickshire, Suffolk and Cornwall. One visitor from Coventry raised the disastrous decision of the Coventry Diocesan Property Department to sell an allotment site for residential development.
Our Association chairman is a retired Anglican clergyman who had already written to the Church Times about this decision, expressing the view that allotments and
“Men in Sheds” were organisations that provided companionship and a sense of community for many men in retirement.
He expressed his sadness at the decision
of the Coventry Diocese and support for
the allotment holders. It is quite clear from those speaking on behalf of the Coventry Diocese that they have little idea of the time and effort required over many years to create a productive allotment site.
The stand and day were regarded as a success although no new members were recruited.
The Rev Ian L Johnson
Chairman, Tiverton Allotment and Cottage Garden Association
To dig or not to dig?
It is said that you cannot “teach an old dog new tricks”. Well I am not so sure that it still applies to modern vegetable growing. I have grown veg for over 50 years now; for many years I cultivated in the same way as my Dad taught me on his plot in the early ’50s, and when I rst started in the mid-’60s I would dig, weed and water just as Dad would have done it.
Then in the 1980s I noticed many of my pals on the allotment using rotavators so I invested in a new 5hp machine (still have it in moth balls!). Then in the early ’90s I discovered Geo-fabric ground cover; this helped cut my time considerably with reduced cultivation, weeding, and of course watering; I was very busy travelling around the UK for my job at this time.
Moving on, I then made the best discovery yet, that was the
“No Dig” method as taught by Charles Dowling. When I moved home some 7 years ago I created new veg growing beds using this method. Now with 6 seasons behind me, I can say for sure that I wish that I had discovered this method years ago. Each season it just gets better and better - crop size, quality and lack of weeds and a need to water less.
The rst year I put a good 4" of compost on the top as the mulch but in the last few years I have reduced it to under 2", mainly my home-made compost. In recent years this is made using a high percentage of spent coffee grounds (it’s “super food” for worms), chopped straw, kitchen waste and some Grow-organic. Following the remarkable results from my home trials, I now use “No Dig” method on my allotment plot with similar success.
So, perhaps the old dog has some new tricks after all!
Allan Cavill NAS Mentor
Plymouth in Bloom School Allotment Award
On the 11th July this year Oreston Primary School hosted the Plymouth in Bloom School Allotment Awards. Councillor Michael Leaves, Street Services Liaison Of cer Caroline Fiske and Gail Lord, Business Support Assistant presented the awards.
It was a delight to see the children’s faces light up with glee at the recognition of their hard work. Awards were presented for best container and best use of recycled material. We are hoping this will lead to an Annual National School Allotment Day on the second Friday in July each year.
Neil Dixon
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