We are finally getting a bit more daylight and it feels like winter is finally on the way out
The wildlife are certainly out and about and there’s a lot to see
If you are doing the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend or just enjoying the variety at the allotment, try to get some pictures to share with everyone on the website
Wildlife Report Sep/Oct 2021
While we have all been putting our plots in order the wildlife have been doing their own thing. Mike has kindly put together the attached wildlife report, which makes great reading.
You can read the report below and I’ve also included some pictures mentioned in the report as well as a picture of what might be a carder bee, snapped by Kirsten, and my own personal favorite, a redwing taken by Mike around the Easter Road area
Loving Carrots
It’s unusual for a carrot to melt your heart, but George should have left these little lovers tucked up in the soil. If anyone happens to be in Barcelona tomorrow night don’t miss the vegetable orchestra who are playing at sustainable food week https://www.vegetableorchestra.org/events.php
See you Next Year !
Can it really be that time of year already, we have had the last allotment meeting of the year, minutes attached, and everyone is busy clearing their plots for the winter. I don’t want to mention Christmas just yet, but John McKinlay managed to capture this festive little fellow on his plot
Some photos from the plot.
A (blurred)Tortoiseshell, a Speckled Wood, a long chat with a fox ( it said it was lonely) …. and a Robin ( not fully in the picture ) feeding as I dug.
Next Allotment Meeting
The next allotment meeting is on Saturday 9th October at 11am (10:30am is you can help with some path clearing
Please let George know if there are any items you’d like added to the agenda
Raspberries
By John McKinlay
This autumn I have had a huge crop of my autumn fruiting raspberries. For those that are interested in growing them the variety is Joan J, and are available just now from Marshals. Very reliable producing an abundance of big berries with an excellent flavour, mid August to the end of September.
Autumn fruiting varieties fruit on the current seasons growth thus avoiding the tying in and staking of summer fruiting varieties that fruit on the previous seasons growth. No need to net possibly because at this time of the year there is plenty other food for birds.
Wildlife Report
When is a wasp not a wasp ?
Find out in the latest wildlife report from Mike Anderson
From John McKinlay
Next weekend 4/5 September I’m making another collection for Empty Kitchens. Any donations of surplus vegetables and fruit would be gratefully accepted. Last time the chefs made soup with our contributions so any leeks that could be spared would be ideal and no doubt folk will not have run out of courgettes 😂 As we are now at the start of the apple harvest I am happy to take any apples. It would be useful if you know the type to note the apples either eating or cooking 👍
As before please leave any donations on the trolley at our plot (64) ideally next weekend and I will deliver them on the Monday.