Craigentinny Allotments

We are looking for an interesting photo taken anywhere on site. You may have a prize-winning vegetable or flower, a hut or garden implement, an astounding weed, anything infact that makes an interesting picture. It couldn’t be simpler so get those cameras out and have some fun. Photos have to be submitted by 1st August to John and Monica McKinlay and the winner will be announced at the August BBQ.

We are holding a competition within Craigentinny Allotments for children under the age of fifteen.

The competition this year is to grow the tallest sunflower on site.

If you would like to take part please collect your competition pack from John or Monica McKinlay. The packs will be available from the 1st of May. We will be at the 11 o’clock meeting on the first and the BBQ on the 15th otherwise you might be able to catch us at our plot or drop us an e-mail at findlayalloments@hotmail.co.uk.

Judging will take place on the day of the August BBQ and prizes will be presented then too. Good Luck.

When we first took over the Community Plot it was in a sorry state. The underground stream had caused a great deal of flooding and it had been left unsued for some time. Rubbish had been buried on the site by the Council, and others had taken the opportunity to get rid of their rubbish in the same way. It was unkept, unloved and unused!

Now we have a great place to meet and socialise, a clubhouse for all to use and enjoy, or even just shelter on those showery days. A far cry from our first meetings, sheltering under umbrellas by the toilet block! Getting the clubhouse inspired us to greater things and we began to clear away the rubbish and flatten out the ground. We have put in paths, planted fruit trees to start our community orchard, built and nurtured our pond, planted a copse of twisted willow and set up a recycle bay.

There is still a great deal to do by way of maintainance and improvement, but the more helpers we have the easier it will be to have a great space for all to enjoy.

If you have not yet been along to the community plot why not give it a visit. There are plans to erect community composting facilities on the site later this year. This will be done and paid for by the Council but we also have some ideas of our own: once the toilet block leak has been repaired we plan to paint the walls; the shed needs another coat of paint; the orchard area needs weeded; the pond needs some plants; the boundary fence repaired; the recycling bay cleared of unwanted items; perhaps sow some wild flowers in the margins and the list goes on and on. So, as you can see, your help is needed and would be appreciated. We will be working on some of these things on 15 May- why not come along and help?

Last year’s BBQ was such good fun that we have decided to do it twice this year, once in May and then again in August. The May BBQ will be on Saturday 15th May and in August (date to be decided nearer the time) we will have it on a Sunday.

These events will follow the same format as last year, an hour or so work on the Community plot followed by the food and drink. John and Monica will set up the BBQs and people can bring along what they would like to eat and drink. At the next Committee Meeting, on Saturday,1st May, at 11 o’clock we will be discussing the detail so come along and find out more about it. Last year there was an abundance of good food and drink with plenty for all to share. So even if you don’t have time to organise sausages or the like on the day just come along to the Community plot with your flask and sandwiches and join in the celebrations.

Everyone is welcome.

How frustrating is this poor weather?
Just when we were all geared up to get started, plant some early tatties, sow some beans or salad leaves under cover, the snow is back!
Don’t let it put you off there are lots of things you could be doing to move things along.
If you are lucky enough to have a shed or greenhouse you will have a multitude of things to do and shelter from the weather at the same time. Here is an article from the Fedaga Newsletter that you could say was appropriate for our current spell of bad weather……………..

GIVE A WELCOME TO GENERAL WINTER – THE PLOT HOLDER’S FRIEND.
Winter defeated Napoleon but it can be your ally.
I derive terrific enjoyment from allotmenting but part of me looks forward to winter – when I’m not driven by the demands of the plot. However, if you don’t see your plot from November to March you are missing the great opportunity that General Winter provides as growth begins to slow. So, as you plan for the growing season why not draw up a plan of campaign for winter?
It’s a two pronged campaign- firstly, when the elements allow working the soil and secondly, when frost or wet mean that working outside is impracticable. The first category would start with preparing the ground for next year. This would include digging in manure in Plot A of your rotation. I leave this till late winter to prevent the goodness leaching away. Tackle any over-grown patches as clearing them now will be easier than when the couch grass and dockens are in full growth in summer. Or just cover it with old carpet so the weeds are suppressed until you have time to tackle it. Paths too can be a productive area for operations. They will have become a bit fuzzy over the summer and a general clean up, weed or edging of these can make the plot look much more cared for. New paths, especially along the perimeter of your plot, give access and provide a barrier against encroaching weeds. John Lord on 07968865826 will provide free wood chippings from his tree doctoring business. Why not take advantage and improve your plot for free!
Rainy days are perfect for cleaning the shed or greenhouse..….and talking about rain why not set up a water butt with guttering and pipe. It will be full by spring and will save you queuing at the stand pipe in the summer.
Now would be a good time to build raised beds, the soil in the bed will dry out and warm up quicker giving early spring sowings of salads and spinach a flying start.
So come on!
Make an alliance with General Winter, not only will it save you time when the growing season gets underway but a regular hour or so in the fresh air will be a healthy antidote to the winter blues. Who knows, this winter I may even join you!……………………..
and if you are fixing paths, remember there are slabs at the gate for free!

Thanks to Lorne for arranging this delivery of slabs from Portobello. This is on a first come, first served basis and the slabs are outwith the fence, so get there quickly to avoid disappointment!

One or two have already said that they could have done with an order of manure and are disappointed to have missed out.
It is a good deal at 60 pence a bag, and delivered to your plot, so look out for the notice. It will be posted on the notice board sometime in August and ofcourse we will post it here too.

If you can’t buy manure or make compost, why not grow your own? If you have a space on your plot that will be bare for the next six weeks or more, try growing a crop of green manure such as clover, mustard or phacelia. When it is time to use the ground , cut down the crop and dig them in to recycle the nutrients they have brought up from the soil. Having the crop there will keep the weeds at bay and encourage the bees and butterflies into your plot,

Joan and Ernie have been working hard to clear the weed on our community pond. To help them they have asked for pond snails, Any will do but Staghorn snails are their preference. If you have any or know of anyone who could donate some please let us know.
Why not go along and have a look at the pond, it is looking good. As is the community plot itself. Go along and have a break.