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
Extending the communal orchard on Twenty Pound Meadow
There are 10 new year-old apple trees on Twenty Pound Meadow, doubling the size of the communal orchard and promising a juicy harvest in a few years time. When choosing which trees to plant, we went for a range: some
Elder at the Autumn Equinox
Read some of Ally’s latest blog on Elder at the Autumn Equinox: The Autumn Equinox falls between 20th and 23rd September in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a time for taking stock, garnering our harvest, thanks-giving and pausing. All of
New guidance for bonfires on Twenty Pound Meadow
There are new guidelines for when bonfires are permitted on Twenty Pound Meadow. You can read them here. From 1 September 2020, we are changing how bonfires are managed. It’s a pilot – if the new rules are effective and
Bulbs for sale from the allotment shop
The shop has bulbs in stock, and are selling by advance order only due to COVID restrictions. If you are interested please see the list of the varieties available here. If anyone wants any please email Cathy (details below) and
Allotments in the news …
An uplifting article in today’s Guardian on how allotments have proved to be an important source of assistance during lockdown and beyond. Some inspiring quotes – making us realise how lucky we are to have plots and to be allowed
2020 Allotment Plot Rent Renewal
With only a few days of August left it is time to remind you that all rents are due in September. As in previous years we will be collecting these on the first three Sundays – the 6th, 13th and
Web articles about allotments in Oxford
Two web articles that may be of interest to members. Tony Morris has produced a wonderful one on his Morris Oxford website – having talked to Wendy from ODFAA. It has some amusing anecdotes and opens with one referring to
Improving Shed Security
UPDATE! Helen White on TPM has done a great job and has managed to get our local PCSO to organise a security event to help members: Sunday 23rd August 11am – 13pm Get advice from our local PSCO on shed
Looking after Lilies
I have been doing a bit of research on lily health and storing the bulbs (corms) over winter, as I am keen to ensure my Lilium Regale will be good next year. Lily Health I have been feeding mine weekly
Potato orders for next year
We will order potatoes from BHGS, as we did last year, by mid-November. We will expect delivery early in the New Year. We need your contact details, both to let you know when they arrive, and in case there is
Damage to plants from weedkiller present in some horse manure and compost brands
Aminopyralid is a weedkiller mostly used on grass and hay fields. The herbicide binds strongly to plant material. The poison can enter horse manure if the horses eat hay that has been sprayed with the weedkiller. Manure from animals fed
Blandford Fly Warning
Oxford NHS Foundation report that their Minor Injury Units have seen a significant increase in patients with bites from the Blandford fly – a bloodsucking black fly, 2 to 3mm in size, which gives a particularly nasty and painful bite.
UK set for possible drought
Despite heavy rainfall for some this month and widespread winter flooding, the UK may be on course for a drought this summer. Find out more in the latest Hydrological Summary and Hydrological Outlook from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Using Garlic ‘scapes’
Anyone who watched Gardeners World last week will have seen Monty Don dealing with his garlic, and removing the ‘scapes’ (the developing flower buds). He mentioned that garlic often starts to flower following periods of dry weather and when I