Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

New Chairman
Sadly Steve Yorke has decided to stand down from being Chairman after many years of excellent service. Thank you Steve for all the work you have done for the Association over the years. Steve kindly stayed Chairman over the last few months allowing the Association to go through a transition period when the officers of the Association have changed. Steve has said that he will continue to offer help to the Association and its tenants as he does so selflessly today.

I am pleased to announce that John Stooke has volunteered to be our new chairman. John gardens a plot near to the main gate and his details will be on the website soon if you need to contact him.

Water Advice
Thank you to Jane and Barry for the advice on water usage which you may have seen on the website. The very wet winter was followed by a surprisingly dry spring meaning that the advice came at the right time. Happily posting the advice on the website seems to have brought out the rain today and I hope many of you have taken the advice and collected some rainwater to minimise the need to use water that we have to pay for.

Thanks
I offer my thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help on the site in whatever capacity. Dave Hurt and Steve Yorke have repaired the fence around the polytunnel. Steve Yorke and Steve Williams have also been busy around the site including improving the main gate and starting work on the fence by the railway embankment. They do so much to help the Association that it is easy to take their work for granted, but it is always valued.

Volunteering
The Association really does need more volunteers helping in lots of ways. If there is anything you are willing to do then please get in touch. The Association manages the site rather than the council. The rental we all pay for our plots would be significantly higher if it was not for the work done by volunteers, so please consider what you could do and get in touch with me.

All the grass lanes need mowing regularly and litter should be picked up and taken off site. Thank you to all those who already mow the grass and pick up litter. It would be great if all of us picked up a little bit of litter when we see it and mow the grass outside our plots. I would really appreciate a few people mowing the grass on the lane by the bottom gate (by the railway embankment), in the South West corner (nearest to the Royal Mail depot), and on the lane to the north of the site (just off the main car park) – all help would be gratefully received.

Sharing Seedlings
This Spring has been especially testing for many of us. Some tenants may have found it hard to raise the seedlings that they would have liked to be able to plant now. If you have any spare seedlings then please offer them to other tenants. The Association will be refreshing a seedling sharing area near the recycling bay in the main car park. Please leave any spare seedlings there and if you would like some seedlings take what you need while leaving some for others.

Hedges
Just a reminder to make sure that the hedges around your plots look like they have been cut since the Autumn. If you do decide to cut your hedges, please consider nesting birds but maintaining the hedges is part of your tenancy agreement.

Enjoy your plots and stay well

Dave
Secretary
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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Smarter Watering: less often, but more water
(i.e. NOT a little and often!)
Watering an allotment is hard work and boring, and can also be very expensive; we cannot, as an Association, afford to pay another bill like that for 2018. So, ideally, we need to reduce the time we spend watering and ensure that every drop of water used, counts!
To do this we need to consider:
 What is the best watering method?
 What do we need to water and what can be left?
 How much do we need to use?
 When should we water?
 How else can we reduce the need to water?

The basic principle is that water is needed by the roots, ideally below the roots to encourage root growth.
 Aim at the soil near the base of the stem. If the soil is baked hard, break it up a bit before watering so that water can penetrate the soil more easily.
 Avoid general or overall watering that puts water on leaves (encouraging disease) and empty soil, where it is wasted.
 For larger crops (broccoli, cabbages etc) consider sinking an upside-down plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, at an angle into the soil next to the plant, so that water can be poured into the opening and it will go directly where it’s wanted.
 Alternatively, when planting larger crops like corn, courgettes, tomatoes, plant them in a ‘dip’ with a ridge around the edge (like a volcano ‘crater’). This will encourage water to run towards the roots.
 Consider developing a drip or seep system to deliver the water. These can be expensive but Barry (plot 81) has an effective system that he has made quite cheaply.
 Use a watering can or hose without a rose as a rose will put water where you don’t want it (leaves and empty soil).
 If you use a hose, ensure it can be turned off at the watering end (a Hozelock device or similar) so that water isn’t wasted as you move from bed to bed.
 A large watering can saves time walking back and forwards to the water source (provided it’s not too heavy when full)
 Rainwater is better; it’s free! Ensure you have plenty of water storage on your plot and use buildings to collect water via guttering. The Association can provide advice on how to do this (contact Dave).

Some recommendations
Seedlings – small root systems so need regular watering – about 3 times a week
Young peas, beans – very little as watering just encourages leaf growth
Flowering peas, beans, potatoes – lots as the fruit is setting and swelling
Carrots, parsnips – very little to encourage long roots
Squash, tomatoes, courgettes – twice a week (though might need more if they are in pots)
Cabbage, lettuce, spinach – frequent watering – if they wilt, they need a drink!
Leeks, sprouts, radishes, beetroot, purple sprouting broccoli, onions, Spring greens, perpetual spinach – drought resistant so little watering needed.
Other ‘established’ veg – once a week
A basic routine could be established that involved watering established vegetables once a week, squash and tomatoes twice a week, and seedlings and container plants 3 times a week.

How much water?
 Soil with an average crop of plants loses about 4 and a half gallons (approx. 20 litres) of water per square yard (approx. 1 square metre) per week in the summer and 2 gallons (approx. 9 litres) per week in the spring and autumn.
 Never apply small amounts of water (less than 1 gallon per sq yard or 4.5 litres per sq metre)
Water thoroughly once you have decided to water. With overall watering apply 2-4 gallons per square yard (9 to 18 litres per square metre), using the higher amount in mid-summer.
With point watering use 1-4 gallons (4.5 to 18 litres) per plant depending on its size.

When should we water?
 Never in full sun
 First thing in the morning or in the evening. Morning is recommended to avoid encouraging slugs and snails, and avoid leaving damp leaves overnight that might get disease.
 To check whether you need to water, dig down 3-4 in. below the surface. If it is dry, then water. As a general rule watering will be required about every 7 days during a period of drought.

How else can we reduce the need to water?
 Keep plots weed-free. They compete for water with the plants we want, so keep them away.
 Add organic matter, such as compost, to soil as this retains water.
 Add a 2 inch/5cm layer of mulch to the soil around plants. This can be compost, non-degradable plastic, other material. This will keep water from evaporating and will also block weeds.
 Add water-retaining granules to pots

And whatever else you do…
Turn off the tap and disconnect the hose!

Pictorial

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Hello everyone

I hope you are all well.

Please take note of the message below that I have received from the council.

Do consider whether it is appropriate to have bonfires or barbecues on your plot. If we receive any complaints from our neighbours or from the council we will have to review the Association position on bonfires and barbecues.

Stay safe

Dave
Secretary
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

Dear Allotment Associations,

I am writing to you today as we have been having a number of complaints into the Council about Bonfires on allotments and also to inform you about potential rent reductions to Associations.

We would request that your tenants follow the guidance below from the Nsalg about bonfires:- Bonfires and BBQs – Could those Associations who allow bonfires all year round ask people to consider their neighbours and not burn anything during this Covid 19 emergency. Many sites are surrounded by houses where vulnerable people may be getting their only bit of fresh air through an open window. This consideration also applies to BBQs.

The Council is also looking into a rent reduction for both Direct-let tenants and Associations. The level of discount will be confirmed once the lock down has ended, we would ask Associations to consider and let us know how their discount will be refunded to their tenants.

Kind regards
Jo Tarrant
For more information on how allotment association should be managing the current situation please see below.

Covid 19 Precautions

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The Covid 19 crisis means that our Association has had to re-think how it does many things. One thing we need to do differently is running the Association Shop. While the current guidance is in place we cannot arrange to meet to buy and sell things from the shop
Instead please do the following:
Please e mail me telling me that you want to make a purchase saying what you want. The things that the Association sells in the shop are on the website (click on the Supplies tab) and on a notice outside of the Association polytunnel. If you cannot e mail me, text me or put a note in the post box by the Association polytunnel (e mails will work better). The note should include who wants to make a purchase as well as what you want.
I will check my e mails and the post box regularly, but remind me if I do not get back to you within a few days. I will check whether we have what you want. As of today we have all the items we usually sell, however we are not planning to buy any more stock while the Covid 19 guidance is in place. I will reply to you confirming what we have and ask for payment.
Payment needs to be made in advance of delivery of the sale. Please pay directly into our bank account if you can. Let me know if you cannot pay into our bank account.
Once payment is received I will inform you when your purchases will be available. The best way is for us to leave the items outside of the Association polytunnel. I will tell you when and where they have been left for your collection. Please note that you will be responsible for collecting the goods and the Association will not replace any goods that are lost because they have not been collected quickly.
I am sorry for any inconvenience that is caused by running the shop in this way, but I hope you appreciate that we cannot run the shop in the way that we did before the Covid 19 guidance was published.
Stay well
Dave
SecretaryOld Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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This Sunday (12th April) is the burning Sunday for April

Please respect other tenants, the Association and the wider community if you have a fire on your plot.
This is even more relevant during the Coronavirus crisis.
The National Allotment Association has suggested that all allotment tenants should consider whether smoke from bonfires could affect nearby households that are self-isolating and therefore cannot get away from any smoke that enters their house or garden.

The Association has not said that tenants should not have fires this Sunday, but please be even more considerate than normal.
It is not unrealistic to think that any problems caused by fires or smoke from our site could affect whether we are allowed to visit our plots during the coronavirus crisis.

In addition, please remember that the tenant is responsible for any fire that is started on their plot, make sure that all fires are controlled and carefully extinguished before you leave your plot.

Thanks for you help over the weekend

Dave

Secretary
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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The restrictions to vehicle access to lanes on the south side of the site have been lifted. The wet weather over the winter meant that the restrictions were necessary as driving on these lanes would have caused significant damage. The Association would have needed to repair the damage and few people volunteer for this work.  The recent period of weather without significant rain means that the lanes are much drier and so the restrictions could be lifted.
Thank you for your patience while the lanes have been closed. In addition, the lock on the gate nearest the railway line has been changed back to the same lock as the other gates os that access is back to normal. Please only drive on lanes when no significant damage will be caused. Check the conditions before (not after) driving on the lanes so that damage is reduced. Even though the lanes are much drier now, there is still a risk that driving heavy vehicles or driving inconsiderately may still cause damage – especially on the lane by the Post Office site. If we have significant rain we might need to close the lanes again in the next few months or over the winter months.
The lanes do not maintain themselves – volunteers do this work. The Association could employ contractors to work on site but the extra cost would result in a review of tenants annual rent. Please help the Association as much as you can. Each tenant is responsible for maintaining the allotment site directly outside their plot. This includes maintaining the plot boundary, e.g. cutting the outside of your plot hedge and keeping the base of the hedge weed free, but it also includes maintaining the lane outside the plot. Thank you to those people who do maintain the area outside their plot. It would help greatly if every tenant would cut the grass in the lane outside their plot (if the lane has grass on it), and, pick up litter and take it home for disposal. A big thank to those people who do more than their fair share of cutting the grass on lanes, litter picking and hedge cutting outside of plots that are not their own. The Association relies on these people to maintain the site and this was reflected in the Council inspection this year. Let me know if you do want to volunteer to do more for the Association. The Association decides what surface it wants for lanes on the site (roadstone or grass) and this impacts how repairs are done. Roadstone was ordered so that potholes on the site could be fille. However this was just before the Government’s Covid 19 guidance was issued. This meant that the roadstone was not delivered. The Association will arrange the delivery and repair the potholes as soon as possible. In the meantime, tell me if you are thinking about repairing the lanes or potholes, digging drains or using pesticides on communal areas etc, before you do any anything so I can agree the work in advance. Thank you for your help in maintaining our lanes.

Dave
Secretary Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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The water is normally turned on around this time every year

At the Committee meeting at the end of March it was agreed to delay turning on the water this year. This was for a number of reasons including:

1) There is a leak in the water pipe after our water meter but outside of the site. Our bill will include the lost water and so the Association will incur costs even though no water is being used when we turn the water on.
2) The winter has been unusually wet and the initial need for water was expected to be limited.
3) Managing the water supply and our suppliers is very time consuming. The time of volunteers spend on water might be reduced of deferred if we delay turning on the water.

In contrast to the weather during most of the winter, we have not had significant water for a couple of weeks and the forecast is for dry weather for the next week. Therefore, in a call between the officers of the Association on Saturday, it was agreed to turn on the water as soon as possible.

Firstly we agreed to measure the leak to support a claim against our bill.
Next the water will be turned on and run through the pipes on the site. This will take a couple of hours while the pipes are flushed out.
It is at this stage that any leaks in the water pipes on site may be found.
These leaks will need to be fixed before water is available from the taps outside your plots.

Therefore I hope that the water will be on for next weekend, but that is dependent on any leaks that are found and how long it takes to fix those leaks.

We rely on Steve Yorke and Steve Williams volunteering their time so everyone can have access to water and the Association does not waste money. I would like to thank them for contributing their time and expertise so that we can all benefit. The work to identify and fix leaks can be especially awkward and messy as deep holes may need to be dug and work done at the bottom of those holes in tight spaces. This may take some time.
Tenants may not be aware of what needs to be done and who does it. The Association relies heavily on both of them and we should all appreciate what they do.

If you want to help them get the water turned on, please let me know.
The Association only works if people offer their help and any offer of help is appreciated.

I want to make you aware that there was a debate at the last Committee Meeting about whether the site should have water on tap at all, or whether the supply of water should be limited in some way compared to the current situation. Committee members expressed many different views and there was a good discussion. . The water supply was planned to be an agenda item for the AGM which was postponed due to the coronavirus situation.
One option is that proposals could be put forward meaning that the water will not be available on site from September. If you have strong views on this, please come to the AGM when it is re-arranged so you can be part of the debate.

The Association encourages all tenants to collect water and reduce the use of water on their plots now, and in the future. Water can be collected from buildings and greenhouses, and stored in tanks and barrels. Steve Yorke has kindly brought many tanks and barrels onto the site which has helped many people store significant amounts of water. I recognise the benefit that has already resulted from those people who already store water on their plots and thank tenants for spending time on this. Please help your yourselves and the Association by finding ways to store water on your plots so that you do not have to use the water that we pay for. This is one way that the site can reduce the natural resources it uses.

The Association may be able to help tenants who do not currently have a way of collecting or storing water – so please get in touch with me by text or by e mail (my contact numbers and e mail address can be found on the website).

Using less water will help to reduce our water bills and will help tenants furthest from the pipe where water enters the site from Old Coach Road to have access to water when demand is high.
Please be considerate and respectful of other tenants on your use of water.

Happy growing

Dave

Secretary
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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These are indeed exceptional times and this note is not something that I had expected to have to write.

Please help me, the Association and the community get through this difficult situation by finding ways that you can help, by being positive, and by not creating difficulties.

A couple of people have asked me to comment on Covid 19 and how this affects our allotments. Fundamentally the Association will follow the Government’s guidance. At the moment the site remains open, if we are required to close the site in the future we will close it and this will be communicated as clearly as we can.

Government guidance on Covid 19 can be found at the following webpage:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Association is not able to make any changes to this guidance and any laws. In addition, it is not the Association’s role to enforce or police any guidance and laws and the Association does not plan to interpret the guidance or laws. If you think that an offence has been committed, please contact the police

The Association requests that all tenants follow the guidance, show respect to other tenants, the Association and everyone in the community. Please use good judgment and common sense in following the guidance. I encourage all tenants to consider that if they do not follow government guidance on our site, then it will increase the possibility that the site will be closed and none of us will be able to work on our plots.

There is additional guidance on allotments from Nottingham City Council:

https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/events-markets-parks-and-museums/parks-and-open-spaces/allotments/

and on the National Allotment Society website:

https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/

As above, the Association requests that all tenants use good judgment and common sense in applying this guidance

If you wish to involve the Association in any issue regarding Covid 19 please contact me (telephone and e mail are on the website). If you have tried all these methods and have not received a reply, then contact one of the officers of the Association or failing that, a committee member.

If you have an issue with another tenant please try to resolve it between yourselves. Do respect each other, use civil language and do not raise your voice. Please remember it is our custom and practice that tenants are allowed to manage their own plots as they wish to so long as that does not adversely impact other tenants.

There is no change to the tenancy agreement or the rules of the Association due to Covid 19. Please help me and the Association by managing your plots within your tenancy agreement at all times.

Thank you for you help

Dave

Secretary
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

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