Whitemoor Garden

Holders Association

Important Dates : The Jubilee social is on

Saturday June 2nd from 1 to 3 pm. Come and chat

about your gardens! Our Produce show is on

Saturday 18th August. Enter your produce to win

prizes for the best fruit and vegetables. Join in the

evening social even if you don’t enter any produce.

Our Open day is on Sunday 19th August.

Gardens will be open 12 to 4 PM and refreshments

will be available. Please consider opening your

garden this year.

The Fire - 15 February 2012 A fire was started by a coal burning stove on a garden

along the far end of the bottom avenue. The entire

shed & greenhouse area was destroyed. (The picture to

the right is from a video recorded by Kyle Phipps.)

Unfortunately this spread to a large shed on an

allotment on the middle avenue, behind this site, also

badly damaging a recently renovated greenhouse there.

Another greenhouse on an adjacent garden was almost

completely destroyed. Several gas cylinders were

involved and the fire service sent two tenders to deal

with the incident. Unfortunately, they ran out of water

and a 3rd, larger tender was sent. The recent

enlargement of the corner leading into the central

avenue allowed the two initial fire engines to get quite

close to the seat of the fire. Unfortunately the avenue

itself was too narrow for the larger tender.

Part of the roof of the shed containing the stove was

asbestos cement and this exploded, scattering particles

over three of the allotments on the bottom avenue.

Tram drivers had to be warned about the dense smoke

pouring across the track and this went on for several

hours.

The fire officers did a tremendous job, although sadly

were unable to save the buildings. They left behind a

post-incident handover form and this contained advice

about stoves, gas cylinders timber and asbestos clear

up.

The aftermath was devastating for Mark & Pauline,

Jimmy, and Peter, who suffered considerable loss of

buildings and garden equipment as well as irreplaceable

garden records. At a recent committee meeting, it was

decided that tenants who suffer 3rd party damage from

fires or break-ins could apply for a grant to help cover

some of their losses. Insurance paid by the tenant at

the same time as rents, is also being explored.

The offending stove. ↑

Mark & Pauline’s

greenhouse & the

remains of their shed. →

Peter’s greenhouse and

potting shed.↓

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Shop News Welcome to the new growing season – recent weather makes it hard to believe it is spring! The sales of potatoes

and onions have gone well. The shop is open to outside customers, so mention it to your friends and relatives.

Don’t forget to get your fertiliser needs sorted; we sell a wide range every Saturday morning, and now we shall

revert to non-winter hours of 9:30 am to 12:30. The shopkeeper Vic , is assisted by Hilary

and (usually) a member of the committee. If you would like to help in the shop, and make a bit for the

association, please contact Vic or Hilary. We also sell water butts and horse manure as well as bags of compost,

paraffin and tools. Our bird netting, fleece and weed control fabric are very reasonably priced. We sell canes

from 4’ to 10’ in length for all your beans, peas and tomatoes. If you think we need to add items to our list for

sale, drop us a line, or mention it in the shop.

Pictures show Vic & Hilary, Hilary with a (hopefully) satisfied customer, and Vic with Rick, one of the committee volunteers. All profit goes to manage the site, so the more you spend, the more services we can deliver.

The Fire - ctd. This shows what was left of Jimmy’s shed and greenhouse. →

The asbestos clear up alone cost nearly £700, although the good news was

that the City Council Allotments Department covered 90% of the cost of this.

Friends gathered around to burn the damaged timbers and others helped replace the fences between gardens. Many thanks to those who supported the gardeners affected.

The Skips

Since February, we have organised two skips for new tenants and one for all tenants. These represent a substantial cost to the management fund, as each skip costs us £180! These were located in the main compound and open for use on Saturday mornings. We have to check what goes into them as asbestos, tyres and paint cannot be put to general land-fill, and the skip could be returned to us if it contains these items. We have a dedicated bay for metal, which is collected separately at no cost to us, and a wood bay, where anyone needing fuel for boilers and stoves on their allotment can collect it on Saturday mornings or by arrangement with anyone on the committee. We could all save a bit of cash for the association by taking home recycleables such as cans and plastic bottles, as well as old plant pots and plastic sacks. Good plastic sacks could be stored in the compound, to be used to fill with the wood chippings for our garden paths or leaf mould for our compost heaps.

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The picture on the left shows the skip (31/3/12) shortly after “opening time”. The (nearly) full skip is on the right. Most of the upper bags contain old plastic sheeting and pots and so will squash down.

The “Grow Your Own” event at Woodthorpe Grange on Sept 17, 2011 Ralph Mills did a presentation about allotment archaeology. This provoked considerable interest and he has been invited back to this year’s event.

Phil Clare did a presentation on food preserving methods and displayed products for sampling. The fruit leather was particularly well received by the younger visitors. The 11 varieties of tomato grown this year were also available to sample, along with other vegetables.

Some pictures taken at our show and

open day in August 2011 can be seen

on our web site, along with other

information about us and what we do

www.whitemoorallotments.btck.co.uk.

This year the produce Show is on

Saturday 18th August and the Open day

is on Sunday 19th August. The City’s

“Grow Your Own” event is on Sunday

16th September is again at Woodthorpe

Park.

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Gardening Workshops on the Whitemoor site

Nottingham Organic Gardeners are holding a series of workshops on gardening matters at their allotment , No 6 just off the main car park. The last one before a Summer break will be on Saturday 26th May, between 2 – 4pm when we will look at composting – making garden compost. There is a lot of conflicting advice about methods of composting, but it is a matter of finding out a way to make it that is best for you. We will look at hot composting, cold composting, worm composting and bokashi. Anyone from the Whitemoor site is welcome, there is no charge but we do ask for a donation for Nottingham Organic Gardeners funds and we provide drinks and biscuits. So far all the workshops have been on cold days so wrap

up warm and expect some of the time to be spent outside whatever the weather. If anyone would like to join us please could you reserve your place by contacting Bethan at bethan@zhang.me.uk or phoning or texting her on 07967268520. SEEDS, SEEDS and more SEEDS Also on Saturday 26th May from 2 – 4pm Sally Cunningham from Garden Organic will be with Nottingham Organic Gardeners on allotment 6 for a Seed Guardian event – she will be able to explain more about it but as I understand it she will bring some seeds from the Heritage seed Library [mostly varieties not available from normal catalogues] and see if anyone is interested in growing them and saving seed to go back into the Heritage seed Library – come along and have a chat to her about more unusual seeds. Nottingham Organic Gardeners upcoming events and activities Nottingham Organic Gardeners work on allotment no 6 on alternate Saturdays and Mondays – we call it a demonstration allotment as we are trying to show lots of different ways to garden organically. Those who work on the allotment vary from experienced gardeners to those beginning to learn their skills and we all work alongside each other and learn from each other. When we are there we have the gate open and invite any of you to pop in and see what we are up to – you could have a look round, ask questions, or come and work alongside us. We wold love you to pop in and see what we are up to. We are also looking for some help – one project for this year is to make a clay oven on our site and would like to make the base from broken paving slabs so if you have an unwanted slab, broken or not, on your allotment and would like to get rid of it we would be pleased use it. Please either let us know during a workparty [alternate Mondays and Saturdays when the gate is open]and we will come and collect or if you could bring it along that would be even better! We will be having an Open Day on Saturday 9th June so please tell all your friends and come along to have a look round and to share tea and cakes with us. Nottingham Organic Gardeners nogs@btck.com and http://gardening.meetup.com/cities/gb/j9/nottingham/

Work Parties (These are for any Whitemoor garden holders or friends.) These are held on the 2nd Saturday of each month and we gather in the main car park at 10:00AM. Several have had to be cancelled due to bad weather. We had a good attendance at the work party on the 14th April “thank you” to all who came along. One team tackled the installation of the lorry tyres onto the bank – thus creating the “Hanging Gardens of Whitemoor”. It was hard work, but once planted up we shall all enjoy the new flower beds. Another team tackled overhanging branches at the main gate, and raised the ground at the entrance to the compound. Thanks also, and to Mark & Pauline for the use of their electricity and garden for the after work “do”, and to Gillian for her fruit cake, which was enjoyed by all, thank you again.

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Our Enlarged Potting Shed Last year we had an incredible success with germinating seeds. This

meant that trays of plants filled the potting shed and greenhouse to overflowing. Our settee was crowded out and we were scrunched into a corner for coffee breaks. We therefore decided to enlarge the existing potting shed by incorporating the corridor between it and the main greenhouse and moving the existing French doors forward. A friend gave us a complete UPVC front door, complete with frame, so we were able to join greenhouse and potting shed. We had quite a selection of safety glass and gained a couple more from the glass section in the compound. We decided to use this to roof over the corridor. We cut up recycled UPVC strips to use as glazing bars and started to glaze it over, getting almost to the end of the 4metre section. We were left with a 100 cm by 60 cm “hole” in the ceiling. Hilary went out scouting for glass and encountered Mark working on the new maintenance section of garden 21 (see separate article). He took her down to his garden & lo & behold turned up exactly the desired piece! Glazing was completed after a few more days (and a few choice words as we dropped or miscut a few pieces of glass.) Fortunately it was completed just before the snow came. The roof was remarkably watertight, but the weight of snow did crack one of the new panes. Some inside views are shown below. We have started to fill up with plants – just as we revert to having frosts again! Phil & Hilary (30)

The New Maintenance area on Garden 21

Mark is our maintenance officer and he and Pauline have worked very hard to develop the top 75square yards of garden 21 as a service area. They have removed brambles and trees and laid brick paths. One of the planned uses is to grow privet bushes to replace those damaged or missing hedges on several allotments. As this backs onto Mark’s house, he can use power tools without the drag of having to start up one of the generators. He can also gain rapid access to the site in case of fire or other emergency. He can usually be found on this plot, or his prize winning garden, 97. He keeps several barrels topped up with water on the top

avenue in case anyone runs out, or the water is off on the site.

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1) Any fuel should be stored well away from the burner.

2) Any burners left unattended should be completely enclosed so the fire cannot “escape”.

3) Solid fuel burners should be placed on a fireproof surface such as brick or concrete. 4) Gas fires should be turned off when you are not on the allotment, and the gas bottles turned off. 5) Do not leave cloths or clothes “drying” on any fire. 6) Metal chimneys get very hot in wood or coal fires. The chimney should be supported by fireproof clamps

and the roof exit surrounded by fireproof material. (Lead melts at low temperatures and so is not suitable.)

7) Ensure there is sufficient ventilation to your shed or greenhouse – carbon monoxide is toxic!

The Whitemoor Orchard

Allotment is in its infancy

………but is developing well. We have

even recently installed a pond in the

‘nature corner’, which will be supplied

with plants soon, thanks to

Framework.

The orchard is open to all allotment

holders who may be interested in

growing fruit and we have work parties

on the last Sunday of every month

10.30 – 12.30.

There will be two juicing days this year

where you can bring your apples or

other fruit to put through my scratter

and press. As we have no fruit yet in

production we are hoping for donations for the open day – Sunday 19th August and we will willingly collect! Last

year was a great success and we were able to sell juice – the proceeds going back into the orchard.

We are also hoping to have an Apple Day on Sunday 21st October when more apples will be ready. Volunteers

and your ideas are most welcome.

Contact Rick Carless on 9128217 or 07951806574 or rickcarless@hotmail.com

Our water bill last year

came to nearly £3500.

This is the limit we had

budgeted for, and we

have paid it, but water tariffs will only increase, so we need to avoid wastage. As you know from the rules,

sprinklers are not permitted at all and garden holders are expected to hold their hose pipe whilst watering, not

leave it running. Last year a number of tenants left their water running overnight, especially on potato crops

during the dry summer. This is not permitted and anyone seeing a hose running at night should turn it off. A

few years ago we tried the “notice of shame” which was fixed to taps that had been left running unattended.

This penalised anyone using that tap, not just an offender. At a nearby association, this incurs a £50 fine, with

eviction if repeated! We at Whitemoor do not generally support this type of sanction, but all of us need to be

vigilant.

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It is recommended that anyone requiring water should be allowed to get onto the tap within 20 minutes,

especially those arriving after work in the evening. Please let a member of the committee know straight away if

you are refused. Last year one tenant got so fed up of a water feud that he gave up his allotment! Please

remove your hose from the pipe if not actually drawing water, it is frustrating to wait and find out the tap isn’t

even running.

We have sold nearly 20 water barrels this winter and spring, so if you need one, we can buy some more. Ask

advice about collecting rainwater and joining up barrels so you can use less tap water. Rents will have to

increase if we use more water than budgeted for. Excess water simply evaporates or drains away, but still costs

us, without benefiting crops.

Mare’s tail and ground elder Several of the gardens on

the Whitemoor site have

one or both of these

problem weeds.

Mare’s tail has been

around for millions of

years and is a real pest to

some, whilst others think

it is attractive and its

fruiting system is a

biological wonder. Some authors say that as it’s root system is a metre or more below your crops, it does not

steal nutrients from them, (although it may cut down their light.) Some recommend it can be used as a mulch or

steeped in water like comfrey and used as a plant feed. It is hard to eradicate and the Orchard Allotment on

page 6 uses frequent mowing to try to control it. One chemical used to eradicate it has quite severe safety

warnings associated with it. This is Kurtail (was called Kibosh), but it is not selective and is quite expensive at

about £30 for half a litre, although this does treat nearly 2 full-sized allotments.

Gillian has spent time and effort last year on removing ground elder from a retreat garden in Scotland, but

decided to look up what it might be used for. Here are links to some recipes she found.

http://waldenlocalfood.co.uk/recipes/carrot-ground-elder-salad.html (use young leaves, not leaves from plants

that have flowered which are laxative!)

http://www.downsizer.net/Projects/Finding%20food/Ground%20Elder%20Recipes%20-

%20Eat%20Your%20Way%20to%20Eradicating%20a%20Troublesome%20Weed and

http://nami-nami.blogspot.com/2008/05/ground-elder-and-vanilla-muffins.html

Whitemoor Garden Holders Association Wilkinson Street Nottingham NG8 5FJ

Web Site: www.whitemoorallotments.btck.co.uk

Secretary: Chairperson: Acting Treasurer: Rachel Crookston Mobile: 07528825965 Phil Clare Mobile 07969315058 Ralph Mills

E-mail: whitemoorsecretary@gmail.com philquestions@tiscali.co.uk whitemoor.treasurer@gmail.com

Allotment Shop Vic Walters & Hilary Clare Vice Chairperson: David Bates Minutes Secretary Hilary Clare

1 AUBERGINE (2) Firm fruits, alike in size, shape and colour with natural bloom and fresh calyces

2 BEANS – FRENCH (5) Alike in size, shape and colour. Straight with stalks

3 BEANS – RUNNER (5) Alike in size, shape and colour. Straight with stalks

4 BEETROOT (3) Tops cut to 75mm. (3”) Alike in size, shape and colour.

5 CABBAGE, any variety (1) Fresh, solid heads, blemish free outer leaves

6 CARROTS (4) Tops cut to 75mm. (3”) Alike in size, shape and colour.

7 CAULIFLOWER (1) 50mm of stalk with trimmed back foliage

8 CUCUMBERS (2) Alike in size, shape and colour with uniform thickness and short handles

9 COURGETTES (3) Fruits aprox. 150mm (6”) in length, like in size, shape and colour, flower attached.

10 LEEKS (2) Alike in size, shape and colour with roots intact and with blemish free foliage

11 LETTUCE (2) Alike in size, shape and colour with blemish free outer leaves

12 MARROW (1) Blemish free fruit less than 350mm (14”) in length

13 ONION Large over 250g (2) Firm well ripened thin necked blemish free dressed bulbs

14 ONION 250g or under (3) Firm well ripened thin necked blemish free dressed bulbs

15 ONION – GREEN SALAD Non – bulbous uniform with roots attached

16 PARSNIP (2) Long smooth white without blemishes and side roots with taproot intact

17 COLLECTION OF PRODUCE Judged for effect in suitable container

18 PEPPER – CHILLI (4) Alike in size, shape and colour with stalks

19 PEPPER – SWEET (2) Alike in size, shape and colour with stalks

20 POTATOES (5) Clean blemish free medium size uniform tubers

21 RHUBARB (3 sticks) Long straight tender stalks with leaves cut back to 75mm

22 SHALLOTS (6) Firm well ripened thin necked dressed bulbs

23 SQUASH (1) Ripe well-formed fruits with stalks attached

24 SWEETCORN (2) Green husks and silks attached

25 TOMATO - Large 75mm plus (2) Fresh firm well shaped uniform fruit with fresh calyces

26 TOMATO - Med Approx 60mm (4) Fresh firm well shaped uniform fruit with fresh calyces

27 TOMATO - CHERRY under 35mm (5) Fresh firm well shaped uniform fruit with fresh calyces

28 TURNIPS & SWEDES (3) Clean uniform specimens with single taproot

29 PLATE OF Raspberries Alike in size, shape and colour with stalks

30 PLATE OF Blackberries Alike in size, shape and colour with stalks

31 Plate of any other soft fruit Alike in size, shape and colour with stalks

32 UNCLASSIFIED VEGETABLE OR FRUIT Best example of whichever unclassified variety is exhibited

33 UNCLASSIFIED VEGETABLE OR FRUIT Best example of whichever unclassified variety is exhibited

34 HEAVIEST POTATO 45 EXOTIC VEGETABLE OR FRUIT

35 LONGEST CUCUMBER 46 VASE OF CUT FLOWERS

36 HEAVIEST ONION 47 BEST HOME MADE CAKE

37 LONGEST RUNNER BEAN 48 BEST CHUTNEY OR PICKLES

38 LONGEST CARROT 49 BEST JAM OR JELLY

39 BIGGEST SUNFLOWER HEAD 50 BEST ALLOTMENT Judged in advance

40 LARGEST PUMPKIN Judged in advance 51 BEST NEWCOMER ALLOTMENT Judged in advance

41 TALLEST SUNFLOWER Judged in advance 52 BEST IN SHOW horticultural exhibits only

42 DAHLIAS (3) any type 53 UNDER 12 MINIATURE GARDEN

43 ODDEST SHAPED VEGETABLE OR FRUIT

44 CHRYSANTHEMUMS (3) any type Revised 16/5/12

RULES Only tenants of Whitemoor Garden Holders Association are entitled to exhibit.

1) All produce entered into the competition must be the property of the exhibitor and must have been grown by the exhibitor for at least two months before the show, on the Whitemoor site.

2) Only one entry per class is permitted and where an allotment has a joint tenancy only one entry in each class is permitted per allotment.

3) Any entry not complying with the schedule i.e. number of specimens required will be disqualified. 4) The decisions of the judging shall be final on the relative merits of the exhibits. 5) After judging has taken place no exhibit may be removed until the end of the open day. 6) All exhibits shall be the at the risk of the exhibitor and the Association shall not be liable for any loss however

caused. 7) Tenants gaining a “Best Allotment” are encouraged to have their garden open to the public on Open Day.

First prize in a class will be awarded 3 points, second 2 points and commended 1 point. Prizes will be awarded to

the exhibitors receiving the 3 highest totalled scores, and the overall winner will receive the Whitemoor Challenge

Trophy to hold for one year.

Whitemoor Allotments Annual Produce Competition

18th August 2012 Show Schedule (classes and rules) Open to all garden holders on the Whitemoor site, new or old, young or mature. If you have never

had a go before, now is the time to show off your vegetables and fruit. Ask in the shop for advice,

or anyone on the site who has taken part before.