Garthdee Allotments – Page 79 – Grow Greener with Garthdee Field Allotments Association

It’s a Primary Scorcher!

On June 23, 2016

We welcomed Ms Walker and her Primary 3 class on site for the last of their five visits today. As always they were as keen as mustard and a real credit to Kaimhill School.

Setting up for the stone painting activity took a fair bit of work in the heat, but the results certainly made it all worthwhile.

While half the class helped with the stone painting that will become part of our Britain in Bloom 50th Anniversary display, the others helped barrow chips on to the MacMillan Plot for their paths – hot and thirsty work for sure.

We have only one more week of visits this year, on Tuesday and Thursday at 1.30, but we are a bit short-handed on both days: if you could lend a hand to help supervise activities please get in touch.

Nesting Boxes

By Norman

On June 20, 2016

In News, Photos

Our Garthdee Field site is a wonderful open space, existing as it does so close to the city centre. It is also a haven for lots of wildlife, not least the very many birds that live on and around it. It’s been great to see more and more plots encouraging small birds to nest on them – in all sorts and shapes of nest boxes.

We have all had reason to curse the pigeons and crows that seem to get cleverer every year in the battle for our brassicas, but having the smaller song birds about is a real pleasure. Not every box can expect to attract residents, but this year Sandy has been doubly lucky with a brood of Bluetits on site by his clematis and, better still, a family of wrens – who have taken up home in the most unusual of nesting spots.

If anyone who can offer advice on the building of nest boxes and their positioning – it would be great to hear from you.

New Camera

By Norman

On June 20, 2016

In Equipment, News

With funding from Aberdeen Greenspace we have been able to buy a Nikon Coolpix P900. This is a consumer style camera, so easy to use, but especially designed for taking closeup shots of flowers and insects and longer range wildlife photos. Our bid to AG stressed use to improve the quality of wildlife and nature pictures on our website.

The P900 can be borrowed and used by any association (GFAA) member willing to take photos for website publication. If you can help taking some photos please contact Norman (Plot 81) in the first instance to arrange to borrow the P900. I’ll be pleased to offer a wee introduction to its features if necessary.

BBQ in the Sunshine

By Norman

On June 19, 2016

In Events, News, Photos

We got very lucky with today’s BBQ and the weather stayed fine for the duration. GFAA was pleased to welcome friends from TAMS and The Macmillan Charity on the day. The raffle and donations on the day raised £210 for Macmillan funds. Special thanks go to Gill for all her hard work organising things.

Kaimhill Primary 2 Visits

By Norman

On June 14, 2016

In News, Photos

We (Stuart, Marion, Gill, Jacqui and Norman) have enjoyed playing host to Mrs McKenzie and her Primary 2 pupils over the summer. Thanks are due too to Vinnie and Michael for their help in preparing and maintaining the revised beds, primary plot and polytunnel.

It’s been fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the youngsters over the weeks they have been coming and to know they are enjoying learning about the joys and benefits of gardening.

Activities have included:

Sowing salad leaves, beans and peas
Pricking out and potting up
Planting tatties, beans and onions
Extensive dung and compost shifting
Veggie and fruit identification and tasting tours

I think we can say a good time has been had by all – although the older members of the GFAA team (no names, no pack drill) seem to need to retreat for a lie down in a darkened room after the sessions!

BBQ Date for your Diary

By Garthdee Field

On June 12, 2016

In Dates, Events, News

GFAA Summer Barbecue

Sunday 19^th June 2016

from 12.30 pm

Plotters and their families and friends are invited to an early Summer Barbecue

at the community orchard area of the Garthdee Field Allotment

We are delighted that representatives from the Aberdeen Branch of

Macmillan Cancer Support will be joining us

Please bring your preferred BBQ food and drink

There will be a Raffle during the afternoon

with proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support

Donations for the raffle will be gratefully received by

Gill Earle (Plot 64) Stuart Oram (Plot 8) or Norman Coutts (Plot 81)

Any queries to Gill Earle – g.earl20@btinternet.com / 07951021319