Hello all. I hope you are all well and enjoying the mild Autumn so far!
Life on Allotments has slowed down considerably over these last few weeks, however it is nice to still see gardeners planning and prepping their gardens for the new growing season, many of you are working hard ‘winter digging ‘before it gets to wet.
I wasn’t planning on writing a newsletter this month, however I have received some good topics to share, so here goes.
Update on Manures
September’s Newsletter edition contained a comprehensive list of manures and how to make them. If you missed this and would like a copy, please get in touch, Amanda.clarke@gainsborough-tc.gov.uk
Fertilizers provide three primary nutrients for plants: nitrogen for foliage, any leafy vegetables. (Nettle, horse muck, dandelion and comfrey are all rich in Nitrogen) Phosphorous for root growth, vegetables growing beneath the ground and potassium for flowering and fruiting (All Plant based manures are rich in phosphorous and potassium).
Using Homemade Manures
All fertilizers should be diluted 8 or 10 parts water to one part fertilizer.
Never apply neat fertilizer to the plants.
Apply in the evening around the base of the plants for maximum absorption.
If the plants appear withered for lack of enough water, it is advisable to water them sufficiently first and wait 24 hours. Make sure plants are well watered before using liquid fertilizers this stops them absorbing excess salts.
Liquid fertilizers are most beneficial used from spring onwards to replace nutrients that winter rains have leached.
Homemade fertilizers are for outdoor use, if you use them on houseplants, they can attract gnats.
Thank you, Jackie,
New Taster Allotments At Love Lane
The taster plots are a great idea by Jackie Appleby and is a way that a friend or family member could try out allotment life to see if it is something they wish to pursue themselves, prior to taking on their own tenancy.
Jackie is an extremely knowledgeable gardener, who could turn anyone’s fingers green! So, if you know anyone who may be interested in giving allotment life a try please see below.
Excerpt from Jackie,
We have six small plots that are available for anyone that wants to try allotment gardening.
They are based next to a Community Allotment providing communal fruit beds and tool shed, for all participants. Children would be welcome if accompanied by an adult and can have their own veg and flower box garden.
Conditions apply to the taster plots as well as agreeing to abide by Gainsborough Town Council Allotment regulations. Please read these online and for further information contact Deirdre Speed for an application and agreement form.
Please note this is an opportunity to try gardening before committing to having your own. This is not subletting as there is no cost to whoever would like to take part in the taster plots.
Pollinators
The leaves are falling from the trees and if like me you are itching to get your yard brush or rake out, stop for a second and think, POLLINATORS. We all know the importance of our much-loved pollinators; without them we wouldn’t be fortunate enough to produce our own fresh fruit and veg.
Pollinators can often seek out leave piles as a place to rest their weary wings to hibernate during the winter months, please be mindful of sweeping away the leave piles.
Could you be the next BEEKEEPER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Many of you reported to me that this summer saw a decline in our bees which is something I also noticed.
Gainsborough Town Council welcome beekeepers on the Allotments. For more information, please go to our website and see our terms and conditions contained within the ‘Animals on Allotments’ policy, if you are interested in becoming a beekeeper.
Recipe received from Michelle
Thank you, Michelle. I made the cookies following your recipe below, I had no need to freeze them either, they were all gone before even reaching room temperature!
Chewy Ginger Biscuits
These are very fragrant and moreish and can fill your house with the delicious scent of home-baking. The recipe I adapted it from said that you could freeze them afterwards, but we are lucky to get them further than the rack they cool on before they’ve all been eaten!
- 100g unsalted butter (at room temperature) or Flora – plus extra for greasing
- 175g caster sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1 and a half tbsp golden syrup
- 250g plain flour
- half a tsp of bicarbonate of soda
- pinch of salt
- 2tsp of ground ginger
- 6oz (or vary to suit your taste) of crystallized ginger chunks, chopped.
- Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease two large baking trays. Beat the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and creamy. Add the egg and golden syrup and continue beating until well combined. Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and ground ginger into the biscuit mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until combined. Stir in the chopped, crystallized ginger to distribute it evenly amongst the mixture.
- Shape the sticky dough into 20 walnut-sized balls and place 10 on each tray, leaving enough space for them to spread as they cook. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden (I give them 15 in mine).
- Leave on the baking tray until cool, and firm, enough to transfer to a wire rack (they will be very soft as you take them out of the oven but firm up as they cool). Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days (if you are lucky enough to get them as far as that)!
Special Thanks!
Special thanks this month goes to Perry and Vincent who have worked tirelessly to restore the Orchard on Love Lane. The Orchard that was once overgrown with grass and weeds is now a beautiful, seated area, where gardeners can access the fruit trees. Thank you, Perry and Vincent.
Lastly from me, an Allotment Officer Role update
The Allotment Officer role has changed as of today, 01.11.2024.
The Allotment Officer will now be known as the Community Officer. I will still be overseeing the five allotment sites, as I have done in the last 20 months within Gainsborough, however now on a permanent contract with Gainsborough Town Council with additional duties. In short, I will be identifying and securing external funding for the improvement and development of Gainsborough’s Parks and open spaces.
This is a very exciting addition to my role; I am very happy to continue my employment with Gainsborough Town Council.
Comments and Feedback
If you have any news, tips, features, recipes or photographs that you would like to submit for future issues of the newsletter please send them to amanda.clarke@gainsborough-tc.gov.uk