Current News

Allotment Competition - Round 2

The judges will be revisiting a number of the local allotment sites during the second week in August (10th - 16th) to select the top fifty plots. They will also select the best allotment sites in the following categories:-
Best small site (less than 50 plots)
Best large site (over 50 plots)
Best London Borough of Hillingdon site that is either managed by the council or is in a shared management scheme. Click here for the Allotment Site criteria.

Watering Can Newsletter Published

The Summer issue of the allotment newsletter is available on the website. Follow the link on the right. The Allotment Officer (Nick Porter) has sent a printed copy to the Site Secretaries. Plot holders who requested a copy by email should receive it soon.

Centenary Celebrations at Joel Street Allotments

Congratulations to members of the Ruislip-Northwood Smallholding & Allotment Society Limited. They will be celebrating their Centenary on Sunday July 18th. It is encouraging to know that the society has provided opportunity for local people to have access to land for growing crops and rearing animals since 1910.
The Society received funding from the National Lottery for a Kazuba composting toilet earlier this year. They have invited the former Mayor of Hillingdon (Mrs Jill Rhodes) to officially open the toilet at 2pm before the Centenary celebrations. Click here for Map/Satellite

Contaminated Manure Problems Continue

The Soil Association and the Organic Growers Alliance have reported that there are new cases of crops damaged by the herbicide aminopyralid* (a selective hormone type herbicide used to control broad leaf weeds on grassland). Growers and gardeners are advised to check their crops for misshapen and twisted vegetables and fruits, low seed germination, weak plants and reduced harvest.
The Soil Association has advised growers to be careful about the source of the manure they use of their crops. Click here for further information.

*Aminopyralid was banned in 2008 after a number of reports about contaminated crops. It was reinstated by the Chemicals Regulations Directorate (CRD).

Growing Allotment Waiting Lists

A survey about allotment waiting lists in English Local Authorities shows increased demand. The National Association for Allotment and Leisure Gardeners report indicates there is a 20% increase in the number of people on waiting lists. Some people have to wait for 40 yrs. Click here for a copy of the report which was published in May 2010.

Questionnaire About Distribution of Newletter

Hillingdon Green Spaces team has announced that the allotment newsletter 'The Watering Can' will be distributed to plot holders by email. The Allotment Officer (Nick Porter) sent a letter and questionnaire to allotment plot holders with the Spring edition of  the Watering Can.
Plot holders are asked to complete the questionnaire and send their email address to the Civic Centre. One copy of the newsletter will be posted to the Site Secretary / Contact for the notice board. Visitors can download a copy from this website.

Get Ready for the Hillingdon Allotment Competition

(Photos of winning plots from previous years. Follow links on right for 2009 results)

Allotment plot holders are preparing for the first round of visits by the competition judges. Teams of judges will look at all allotment plots in the London Borough of Hillingdon sites during June. They will assess the plot and allocate points in the following categories: cultivation of the plot; variety of crops; quality of crops; incidence of pest and diseases; miscellaneous. Click here for further information about each category.

Eighty plots with the highest points will be revisited by three expert judges in August. They will select the top fifty plots. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 plot holders at the HAHF AGM in November.

Watering Can Newsletter Published

The Spring issue of the allotment newsletter is available on the website. Follow the link on the right.

Compost Offer for Hillingdon Residents

West London Composting will be giving away bags of compost to local residents on Sunday 2nd May between 9am and 12midday. The compost is available for collection at Highview farm, New Years Green Lane, Harefield, UB9 6LX.

Little Growers - Growing at School

Little Growers is a not-for-profit community organisation that provides equipment for schools to teach children about growing food. They are looking for volunteers from Allotment Associations to provide support for the schools. http://www.littlegrowers.co.uk/index2.php?location=home
The volunteers will receive a 10% discount from AutoPot online shop. http://autopot.co.uk/index.php

Free Garden Museum Entry for Home Grown Produce

Allotment growers can have free entry to the 'Good Life exhibition' at the Museum of Garden History if they take along some of their home grown produce. The exhibition is on till 7th March. This offer also includes entry to the Potato and Produce Plant Fair with Pennard's Plants on Sunday 28th February. Click here for the museum web site.

Joe Swift is the new President of the National Garden Scheme

The new president is one of the presenters from Gardeners World. Joe Swift launched the latest issue of the Yellow Book in February. The Yellow Book contains details of 3,700 gardens that will be open to the public during 2010. Thousands of amateur gardeners open their gardens to raise money for various charities. Click here for the NSG website

Edible Garden Show Postponed

The first national fruit and vegetable show was due to take place in March at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. It has been postponed for a year because the number of exhibitors is too low. The new date set for 2011 will be 18th - 20th March. Click here for details.

Allotment Taster Sessions and Courses at Ruislip High School and Hayes End Allotment Site

Ruislip High School will be a new venue for the taster sessions and courses. This is due to lack of space at Highgrove allotment site. The sessions will be in May and June. Details are on the Local Events page. Application forms available from Hillingdon Adult Education  Tel: 01895 634616.

International Year of Biodiversity

The United Nations has declared 2010 as the year of biodiversity (IYB). A number of initiatives will be organised to promote the protection of biodiversity and encourage organisations, institutions, companies and individuals reduce loss of biological diversity. Check out the Schedule of Events. Kew gardens have organised a Great Plant Hunt on their web site. 

Allotment Newsletter Distribution on hold during Council Spending Restriction

The Allotment Officer has announced that the Council will not be able to print the allotment newsletter 'The Watering Can' during the next few months because of spending restrictions. This means plot holders will have access to the online version. The latest copy contains interesting articles and photographs.

Head Gardener(s) Required

The Iver Environment Centre (formally Iver Nature Study Centre) is a 2.5 acre site near Uxbridge. It contains an orchard, meadow, woodland, lake and rain forest. They are looking for a volunteer head gardener(s) to assist with development and maintain the site. Click here for information about the head gardener(s)' role.
Contact: Ian Long, Learning Services Manager, Groundwork Thames Valley,
Denham Court Drive, Uxbridge, UB9 5PG. Tel:01895 270 730 Fax:01895 238 542

Hillingdon's Best Allotment Sites and Top Plots

Top allotment plot winner Gennaro Poeti with the Mayor Councillor Shirley Harper O’Neill

The allotment competition results were announced on Wednesday 11th November. The best large site was Hayes End, the best small site was Hill House in Harefield and the best London Borough of Hillingdon Managed site was West Drayton Cemetery. (Click here for details).
The mayor of Hillingdon Councillor Shirley Harper O’Neill presented awards to representatives from the best sites and three plot holders who achieved the highest scores in the borough.
Ten of the top fifty plots are on the Fairway allotment site. (Click here for the top fifty list, and photos of award winners).