The Watering Can 2: Chairman's Comments

Allotments can provide us with much enjoyment and great utility in respect of fresh fruit and vegetables, but there is no escaping the fact that they demand a significant commitment of time and effort. At least we can now look forward to a couple of months of relative rest, often enforced by the weather.

I do my best to minimise the hard work element by managing without digging the plot over for winter. I do my best to avoid compacting the soil during the growing season by, for example, keeping the width of beds to about 2.5m so the they can be hoed without stepping on the soil and using old boards to walk on and provide a ready straight-edge for planting. I spread council (free) compost and manure where appropriate (not where root vegetables are to be grown next year) and then rotavate the soil in the early spring. For me, this has been a great year for soft fruit, peas and beans and currently a selection of hot peppers, which my jaded taste buds much appreciate. I have only had my plot for four years or so, but feel it must be some kind of record to be still harvesting runner beans in mid November (the variety is White Apollo).

This has been a good year for the Federation, as I was pleased to report at the recent AGM. Next year promises to be even better as we once more enjoy a full complement of Committee members. My thanks and congratulations go to Vanessa Bonner of West Drayton Cemetery site, Harry Kourtellaris of Western Avenue, and Richard King of Station Road. Your Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary all remain in post and David England and Alan Ellingham continue with their invaluable contributions Thanks are due to Sue Gill who has stepped down from the Committee.

Stuart Hunt reports elsewhere in this issue on the progress made in improving Hillingdon Council’s allotments under the current strategy. I am pleased to report that a new Joint Allotment Strategy document has now been developed by the Council, in consultation with the Federation, and it is on the point of publication. In the fullness of time, electronic versions of this document are likely to be published on the LBH website and on The Federation’s website at http://www.hahf.org.uk/ which is packed with news and useful information. For example one of the links will take you to the Suttons website which offers short video ‘Growing Guides’ for a variety of plants.

With luck this Watering Can will be one of your Christmas presents, so may I send you all my seasonal good wishes.

John Davey