Tag: information Page 17 of 22
I’d like to say a big thank you to all who turned up at the weekend to make our first Community Sunday of the year such a great success. We think we had a record high turnout and managed to get a whole bunch of tasks completed. By the end of the session the site was looking great and some essential maintenance got completed to the Bothy roof.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and efforts of all those who were able to come along we have made a super start to the 2016 season. If you could not make it this time I hope you will be able to come along to our next Community Sunday which is planned for 20 March.
The plan stays the same – about an hour or so of activities suitable for all ages and stages followed by coffee, cake and a good natter. What’s not to like!
Val Milne has asked me to post this item.
“I have quite a large quantity of Sutherland Kale seeds. The seeds have been produced from organically grown plants grown on my allotment. This is a heritage variety and quite difficult to source. As there is much more seed than I can possibly use I am keen to offer seed to anyone who wants it. I think it is important that great varieties like this continue to be grown – even if the big seed companies are not interested in it!
Please just come past plot 23 or email me – valmilne[at]yahoo.co.uk.
Here is some information about the variety. I have to say it is absolutely delicious and can be cooked like spinach. It is also very hardy.”
More info cut and pasted from The Real Seed Catalogue
“Back in 2003 we were sent a small sample of kale seed by Vicky Schilling, of Ullapool, with the following note attached:
“I am sending you some seed of Sutherland Kale given me by an 80yr old in Sutherland, its an old variety grown by the crofters. We grew it last season and its lovely, very tender green leaves on plants that grow waist high – need staking! Cooks just like spinach and lasts through the hungry gap.”
We tried it out and were really impressed. It is the most vigorous and resilient kale we have seen. It shrugged off attack by aphids, cabbage white caterpillars, ravenous goats, and 70 mph freezing sleet overwinter. In each case it sprang back, growing new leaves with no trouble, and forming large heads of Kale in spring when at its most valuable. And when it starts to bolt in spring, the flowering shoots are good to eat too, very much like sprouting broccoli shoots.
Sutherland grows as a Biennial and is a Vegetable. Being a Biennial, it tends to grow best over the course of two years. Sutherland is known for growing to a height of approximately 45.0 cm (1.46 feet).
Typically, Sutherland Kale is normally fairly low maintenance and can thus be quite easy to grow – only a basic level of care is required throughout the year to ensure it thrives. Being aware of the basic growing conditions this plant likes (soil, sun and water) will result in a strong and vibrant plant. ”
Regards, Val
Thanks to our successful bid for funding from Aberdeen Greenspace, GFAA has recently been able to add a new lawn mower and a generator to our stock of power tools and equipment available for community use.
These tools have been secured to support our collaboration with Kaimhill Primary and the development of a primary pupils’ plot in the first instance. This project will have first call on the items, but both may be borrowed by GFAA members when not otherwise required. (See below for arrangements for borrowing and training.)
The lawnmower is a Webb 48cm self-propelled rotary model and will be suitable for a wide range of uses including maintaining verges and smaller areas of grass around our site. It is described as a high quality, self-propelled 3-in-1 mower powered by a Briggs & Stratton 675EX Readystart engine. Can be set to rear discharge, collect or mulch. Features 7 cutting height settings, large 70ltr grass collector and ergonomic soft grip handles which can easily be folded for compact storage. With large rear wheels for easy manoeuvrability, alloy deck and 8″ front and 11″ rear ball bearing wheels as standard.
The Generator is a SDMO Perform 3000 TB UK 3000W model and will be useful to GFAA members who need to run power tools on site from time to time. It is described as a powerful 3000W industrial site generator. Robust, compact and heavy-duty frame with ergonomic, rubber-grip handles for easy transportation whilst sturdy feet provide stability in all conditions. Suitable for small site and domestic applications.
Arrangements for safe storage and commissioning are underway and will be completed in time for the new season. If you are interested in borrowing either item, please contact Vinny Goss in the first instance. Vinny helped specify and procure the items and has kindly agreed to offer initial training in their use. Please arrange all borrowings and use with Vinny in advance.
Our bulb planting team on Sunday last spanned at least three generations and made short work of planting 1000 daffodils and 500 crocuses.
Thanks to Helen, Heather, Ruth, Karen, Bruce, Keith, Michael and Norman for their efforts on the day. We all agreed it was great fun being outdoors on a fine winter’s day, but retreating to the bothy for fancy pieces, hot drinks and a good natter was even better.
Thanks too, to Marion, Jacqui and Helen for the fancy bakes that put Mr Kipling well into the shade.
There are still some crocus bulbs left in the bothy. Please fee free to plant them in or around your own plots.