Groby Allotments

What will the weather let us grow this year?

IRECENTLY READ an article on an Organic Gardening website which had the results of a survey of its members as to which were the most successful crops last year, bearing in mind that last year was incredibly difficult due to the extreme weather, the results of which we are still seeing as a scarcity of some things in our markets and supermarkets. It was a bumper year for tomatoes, as I can testify. The hot weather made sure there was a really good crop as they benefitted from the consistent amounts of summer sunshine.

On the other hand it was a truly awful year for runner beans, as many allotmenteers can also testify. The hot dry months of June and July meant that the flowers were not pollinated and so, even when well-watered, most plants did not set pods, meaning that there was a much reduced yield. I heard so many plot holders complaining that their runner bean harvest had been disastrous. However, some plants recovered when the rains came later in August and September, and so started to produce a crop then, allowing a harvest much later for some lucky growers.

It is well known that potato tubers were much smaller than usual last year, with also reduced yields, as many farmers reported and I also witnessed. What I was surprised about though was that the report stated that the really dry conditions resulted in really dry floury potatoes, which meant that most tended to disintegrate on cooking. I didn’t notice that too much but then I often boil my potatoes for too long anyway, so I’m used to them falling apart in the pan!!

Brassicas (cauli, cabbage, sprouts, broccoli, kale etc) didn’t do well during the summer either but winter plantings were much better after the September rains. Carrots also didn’t do too well, with the lack of water causing delayed and reduced harvests.

So it really is a time to wonder what the weather will be like this coming year. On our large Ratby Road site, we have been busy installing many more communal rainwater collectors to allow members access to a shared supply of water when their water butts run dry. We are collecting the water from the United Church roof with the kind agreement of the church. My plot water container is almost full already and it holds 1000L, so fingers crossed, we will be able to prevent our plants withering in another excessive heatwave this summer. On the other hand, it could be a cold wet summer this year, in which case we will need to protect our crops from tomato and potato blight! It is never the same, each year brings its own challenges and triumphs but that is half the fun of growing your own – that and the taste of justpicked vegetables or fruit. There really is nothing like it and so I will continue to grow my fruit and vegetables, no matter what the weather!

Allotments AGM

WE HELD OUR annual general meeting in February in the Groby Ex-Servicemen’s Club and we are very grateful to them for allowing us to use one of their rooms without cost.

It was an enjoyable meeting with the officers reports showcasing what had been achieved over the last year and there was an extensive raffle with lots of really good prizes to be won. We had a slightly reduced number of members attending this year but I suspect the agenda item on Succession Planning encouraged a few members to stay away in case they were persuaded to join the management committee! We did get one volunteer, to whom we are truly grateful, and most of the committee were willing to stand again, so continuing managing the allotment sites isn’t an issue for us at the moment, but we do need to prepare to hand over to a younger generation eventually so we will continue to ask for more volunteers to help run the Society. After all we need to pass on all the experience of successfully managing the Society and avoiding all the pitfalls.

It is a similar problem for many village groups and societies which seem to be struggling to find new volunteers to help run them as the ‘old guard’ stand down. It does seem a shame that various local groups have folded recently, and although there are many opportunities to meet up online these days, the benefits of face-to-face encounters seem to be so much more rewarding and enjoyable, to my mind anyway.

I find that part of the joy of having an allotment is not only the growing of crops or being outside in the open air but also the chance to have a quick chat with your plot neighbour or fellow allotment member about your shared interests and life and an allotment is always a good place to escape to and further away than the garden shed!

Carol Lincoln

Embroidery classes - places available after Easter

EMBROIDERY is beautiful and fascinating. It has so many different forms. It can be detailed or bold, colourful or monochrome, magnificent or miniature. It’s a great aid to mindfulness in anxious times. It can be a record of happy places and events. It can be wonderfully intricate, or it can be very simple - and still really effective.

For forty years, Jennie Fox has been teaching a superb range of hand embroidery skills to many happy embroiderers from all around Leicester. Students come saying they couldn’t ever do beautiful pieces like hers - and surprise themselves with what they create. Jennie is as skilled at inspiring people as she is at showing them actual techniques. Sometimes Jennie suggests a design, but everyone chooses different colours or size or detail. Sometimes each person just brings their own project. Looking at fellow students’ work is part of the enjoyment and the learning of a class. The classes are so friendly and encouraging and supportive as well as full of lovely work!

THE NEXT TERM of Jennie’s classes begins after Easter. There are a few places available on Wednesday evenings at the Church Hall in Syston, so if you think this might be for you, give Jennie a ring on 0116 260 7585.