I’ve just found a project for the winter! I’ve been spending hours cleaning seeds from our Szechuan pepper tree (you want the pink husks and not the gritty seeds). I searched online and came across a home-made seed cleaner which
The dangers, and health benefits, of gardening
Dr Muiris Houston [writing in the Irish Times recently]: You can pick up serious injuries and ailments from horticultural activity, but some risk assessment will mean you enjoy only the advantages. I’ve always thought of gardening as a relaxing pastime.
Botley Meadow site access
IMPORTANT – due to a spate of break-ins and other damage on site we have changed the padlock code for Botley Meadow. The new code was sent to all members on the WhatsApp and email lists but if you are
Plans for a wildflower patch
Gus writes: We should be thinking about the challenges to the natural environment and whether we could respond to these in our own small way. There is concern about the decline of insects and especially pollinating bees. This is what
Ideas for forest gardening
Tobias writes: I wanted to share an idea with all of you: I have been thinking about whether there is a case to research and discuss the following topic: Preparing our allotment site for climate change In 10 years’ time
Drought possible again this year …
Members might have heard someone from my organisation today reporting that the low levels of rainfall over winter and so far this spring may lead to drought conditions over the summer. For more information, you might like to read the
Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden
In light of the recent WhatsApp group debate about whether to add coffee grounds to your compost I’m reproducing an article from www.growveg.co.uk that might be useful A Common-Sense Guide to Using Coffee Grounds in the Garden Coffee shops often
Twenty Pound Meadow Community Picnic
You are most cordially invited to join The Twenty Pound Meadow Community Picnic on 5th September 2021 from 12.30pm onwards Sunday 5th is the first rent audit day ~ so pay your dues and party on! Which is when you
Meadowsweet – Queen of the Meadow
Check out Ally’s latest post on Meadowsweet and its various uses: I love Her graceful presence by Riverbank and Meadow. Her creamy-white heads bowing in the breeze, often adorned with the buzz, buzz, buzzing of Bees, a sure sign of
The Organic Working Group (OWG)
Introducing a new initiative for Twenty Pound Meadow West Oxford Allotments: The Organic Working Group (OWG) At the last AGM a proposal to ban the use of Glyphosate at our allotment sites was passed. Use of Glyphosate is now against
Allotments AGM – Thursday 13 May 2021
The AGM took place last night over Zoom and was well-attended by members from both sites. The committee was re-elected for another year – with Nick Jackson as Association Secretary and Cathy Stewart as Association Treasurer. Please see the Committee
Carry on Composting & Wild Garlic and Nettle Fritters
Check out Ally’s latest post on composting and a recipe for Wild Garlic and Nettle Fritters: What could be better on a much needed rainy afternoon than foraging for Ramsons (wild garlic) and nettles to make tasty spring-green fritters! Having
Overwintering biodiversity
This from Chris Packham’s Facebook page recently. Timely advice and a good excuse to be careful when clearing up the plot after winter …
Dealing with flooded allotments
It is that time of year again – with a number of weather systems moving in from the Atlantic, both allotment sites have begun to flood – the ground is now saturated and likely to remain so for much of
Earth’s Green Milk – a Tonic for Spring
Read some of Ally’s latest blog on Earth’s Green Milk – a Tonic for Spring: “The days are growing longer and brighter as the Fire in the Sky waxes and the days are still cold. Taking care of our health