Garthdee Allotments

Grow Greener with Garthdee Field Allotments Association

Garthdee Field Allotments Association Awarded Green Flag for 2024/25

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On November 9, 2024

In News

We’re delighted to announce that, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Garthdee Field Allotments Association has once again been awarded the prestigious Green Flag by Keep Scotland Beautiful for the 2024/25 season!

The Green Flag Award is Scotland’s benchmark for well-managed, high-quality parks and green spaces, reflecting our commitment to environmental standards and sustainable practices. Earning this distinction requires meeting 27 rigorous criteria, encompassing biodiversity, community involvement, safety, and overall quality of green space management.

This accomplishment follows a thorough assessment, confirming that our allotments not only meet but excel in these standards. Achieving the Green Flag acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our members and volunteers in maintaining Garthdee Field as a thriving, environmentally friendly community space.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this possible – it’s a fantastic achievement! Now, all we need is a gentle breeze to fully enjoy the sight of our Green Flag waving proudly.

Read more about the Green Flag awarded to Garthdee Field Allotments Associatoon here.

Gardening Panel: Preparing Your Growing Space for Winter

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On September 30, 2024

In Events, News

The first event in the library’s upcoming talk series will feature a panel of gardening experts, offering advice on preparing gardens for the winter season.

The panel will include Jen MacDonald from Bonnymuir Green Community Garden, Pam Nwelih from The Seed Box, and Julie Sarab.

When: 07 Oct 2024 – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Where: Central Lending Library

To reserve a free spot, register here or refer to the contact details on the event poster.

Community Allotment Association Update: AGM, Volunteers, and More

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On September 29, 2024

In Events, General Meeting, Minutes, News

Dear members of the GFAA Allotment Plotting Community, we are inviting you to participate in several upcoming events and have some important updates for you:

AGM/GM
Date: Saturday, 2nd November 2024
Time: 11:00 – 13:00
Location: Cults Bowling Club, 293 North Deeside Road, Cults, Aberdeen, AB15 9PA
Members are encouraged to attend both the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the General Meeting (GM). Agendas will be shared soon. Nominations for committee positions and suggestions for discussion topics can be submitted to the Secretary.

Chair Vacancy
The GFAA is in need of a Chairperson. The role requires approximately two hours a month. Members who can volunteer are urged to step forward.

Volunteers Leader for Sundays
Norman (Plot 81), long-serving Sunday Volunteers Leader, is stepping down. A replacement is needed to oversee the Sunday sessions. Anyone interested in taking on the role is asked to come forward.

Community Sundays
The third Sunday of each month is Community Sunday, where all members are encouraged to join for community tasks. It’s a fun way to get involved and help maintain the site.

New Website and Webmaster
Marin (Plot 96B) has taken on the role of the new webmaster. Members are encouraged to send him any updates or news for the website.

Car Safety on Site
Members are reminded that cars parked on the allotment site are at their own risk, as it is not covered under the Road Traffic Act of 1988. A speed limit of 10 mph is advised, with potential speed control measures being considered due to frequent speeding concerns.

Rubbish Disposal and Bonfire 2025
Members are asked to avoid leaving rubbish around the site, particularly near The Bothy and North Car Park. Instead, rubbish should be taken to the Hazlehead recycling facility.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact the GFAA Secretary.

10 Smart Ways to Use Eggshells at Your Allotment

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On August 7, 2024

In Advice, News

We have a routine supply of eggshells, egg boxes, and coffee grounds thanks to the lovely people from Café Connect at Mannofield. These are placed at our general recycling point located beside the Bothy and are being refreshed every two weeks. Feel free to use as much as you want, but please do not remove the plastic boxes we use to collect/rotate the items from Café Connect.

With a steady supply of eggshells coming our way, here are 10 smart ways to put them to good use at your allotment. From boosting your soil to keeping pests at bay, eggshells are a versatile and natural addition to your gardening toolkit. Let’s dive in and make the most of this fantastic resource!

  1. Pest Deterrent: Crushed eggshells around your plants can keep slugs and snails at bay. They don’t like crawling over the sharp bits—nature’s own barbed wire!
  2. Soil Booster: Mix crushed eggshells into your compost or directly into the soil. They add calcium, which is great for plants like tomatoes and peppers.
  3. Seed Starters: Use halved eggshells as tiny biodegradable pots. Fill them with soil and seeds, then plant the whole thing in the ground once the seedlings are ready.
  4. pH Balancer: If your soil is too acidic, eggshells can help neutralize it. Just crush them up and mix them in.
  5. Bird Food: Bake and crush eggshells to add to bird feed. It gives them a calcium boost, especially in nesting season.
  6. Blossom End Rot Fix: To prevent blossom end rot in tomatoes and peppers, add crushed eggshells to the planting hole. This adds calcium directly where it’s needed.
  7. Natural Fertilizer: Make a calcium-rich fertilizer by soaking crushed eggshells in water for a few days. Use the liquid to water your plants.
  8. Compost Activator: Toss eggshells into your compost pile. They decompose slowly, helping to aerate the compost and add essential nutrients over time.
  9. Garden Mulch: Sprinkle crushed eggshells around your plants. It acts as a mulch, keeping the soil moist and deterring pests.
  10. Rooting Powder Substitute: Crushed eggshells can act as a natural rooting powder. Dip the cut ends of your plant cuttings in powdered eggshell before planting to encourage root growth.

Happy gardening!

Giant Horntail sighting at the Allotments

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On July 27, 2024

In News, Photos

A couple of days ago, Val (Plot 23) had the pleasure of encountering a beautiful Giant Horntail on her allotment. For those who may not be familiar with this fascinating creature, here is a bit about the experience and why it’s such a special sight.

At first glance, the Giant Horntail can be quite an alarming sight, especially for those who are not particularly fond of insects. Measuring an impressive 15 cm or more, its size alone is enough to catch anyone’s attention. However, it’s important to reassure everyone that despite its formidable appearance, the Giant Horntail is completely harmless.

It does not sting and poses no threat to humans.

So, if you happen to spot one, please do not harm it. These insects play a vital role in our ecosystem, particularly in the decomposition of dead trees, which helps maintain the health of our natural environment.

How to Identify a Giant Horntail

For those interested in identifying this magnificent insect, here are a few key features to look out for:

  • Size: Giant Horntails can grow to be over 15 cm in length.
  • Color: They typically have a dark body with yellow markings.
  • Wings: Their wings are clear with dark veins.
  • Tail: The most distinctive feature is the long “horn” extending from the abdomen, which is actually an ovipositor used for egg-laying.

The included stock photo above can help with identification.

Name this Clutch

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On May 23, 2024

In News, Photos

Graeme (Plot 48) kindly sent these photos. They were taken this last week on his plot.

Photo Credit: Graeme Falconer

Graeme first thought the eggs belonged to his resident Wren, but his further research suggested they might be Young Dunnocks in the near future.

Photo Credit: Graeme Falconer

Whatever their IDs, a few days later these were Graeme’s new plot residents.

Photo Credit: Graeme Falconer

Thanks go to Graeme for sharing the photos and prompting this post.

Can anyone confirm the identities? Please do pass on any other photos you have to share of wildlife on site.

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