Alexandra Park and nursery and Grove Lodge Meadow Allotment newsletter March 2025.

 

Lots of news to share about the site as we start to welcome a much anticipated spring. 

 

If you are looking for ideas for your plot, you can sign up for a  free newsletter from John harrison@allotment-garden.org. His  newsletter has a useful free sewing and planting guide for March.

 

There has been a spate of petty thefts such as plant supports and buckets recently on the site. Please remember that you are not allowed to go onto other plots. You must stay on the shared paths. Anyone discovered helping themselves to other plot holders property will have their tenancy terminated.

 

A lot of information regarding Trees has been sent out recently. Please remember you can only plant fruit trees in root controlled bags on your plot. This must be with permission from the site secretary. This is to avoid invasive species from taking over your plot and costing you a lot of  money for their removal.

 

If you are planning a bonfire remember they are not permitted on Sundays and the bonfire season finishes on March 31st.  

 

Are you struggling to maintain your plot? You may be interested in a new initiative being developed next to the car park. An easy access plot with raised beds is going to be developed over the next few months. The raised beds will be for tenants who are unable to manage a whole plot but want to remain part of the social life of the site. They will be able to rent a large raised bed and be able to continue growing and enjoying gardening on site. 

 

This year the committee is asking all tenants to participate in at least one giving back volunteering day a year. This is to ensure that the site is maintained in good condition but also is a chance to meet other plot holders and see what is involved in maintaining our site. Our first event is on Saturday, April 5 at 10 am. Please come to the car park on that day where a list of jobs will be allocated. Refreshments will be available. Watch out for further information to follow.

 

Also in development is a library of tools we hope to be able to lend out items such as tree loppers in the near future watch this space. 

 

The Shop: Thanks to everyone who participated in a very successful potato question and answer session at the shop.  It was really well attended and everyone left well informed about how to have a successful potato crop this year. The next Q&A will be held on Sunday 30 March at midday on the subject of SOFT FRUITS: how to care for the soft fruit bushes you already have, and planting tips if you want new ones.

 

The shop will open again on consecutive Sundays at the end of this month: Sunday 30 March and Sunday 6 April, when there will also be a cafe.

 

If anyone has a question about the shop – opening hours, prices, requests for new items to come into stock – please contact Simon by email: simon@apaa.org.uk. If you're not sure what the shop stocks, please go to the website and click on Shop: www.apaa.org.uk

 

Our new website administrator, Fiona, is currently working with Simon on a plan for 'Compost Corner', which will also be visible from the Shop drop-down menu. They're trying to devise a way for plotholders to pre-order bags of manure and compost during the week for collection at midday the following Saturday. We'll keep you posted about when this new service is ready to use. 

 

We welcome your feedback, ideas and suggestions as to how the site can be best managed. Please let us know if you have any ideas, comments and positive feedback. You can write this feedback and put it in the postbox next to the shop. We do ask that you include your name so that things can be followed up and discussed further with you. 

 

Best wishes Alison, Sophie, Julie

Site Secretaries