Garthdee Allotments – Page 82 – Grow Greener with Garthdee Field Allotments Association

New Zealand Flatworm Survey

On February 23, 2016

The University of Aberdeen are conducting a survey of NZ Flatworms and are looking for a number of allotment holders to participate, both those with and without NZ Flatworms and would appreciate answers to the following questions

1. Do you have New Zealand Flatworm on your plot at present?
2. Have you had New Zealand Flatworm on you plot historically?
3. Would you be happy for someone from Aberdeen University to visit your plot and record presence and abundance of NZ Flatworm, soil pH, take a small soil sample and record earthworm numbers?
In addition they would ideally like to talk to you or alternatively get you to fill in a questionnaire to enable them to gauge the scale of the problem and find out more about your experience of NZ Flatworm. This would be done mid-March- April at a time convenient to you.

4. If you are not able to participate in the study they would really appreciate it if you could fill in this short survey http://www.opalexplorenature.org/nzflatworm Hard copies of the survey can be obtained by contacting Annie Robinson direct at annierobinson@abdn.ac.uk

If you wish to participate please contact Annie as soon as possible. It would be helpful if you would be good enough to let me know if you decide to participate.

Stuart.

Community Sunday Thanks

By Garthdee Field

On February 23, 2016

In Dates, Events, News

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.

CommunitySundayAd 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!

RHSA Up-coming Events

By Norman

On February 9, 2016

In Events

Wendy Suttar has been in touch about some of the Royal Horticultural Society Aberdeen events.

The Annual Quiz Night is set for Friday 19th February at 7 for 7.30pm in Newhills Church Hall, Bucksburn. The questions are half horticultural and half general knowledge, so bring your friends along – you are all welcome! Make up your own team of four, or come along and join others to make up a team on the night if you prefer. There is a trophy for the winning team!

The cost is £5 per head including stovies or an alternative vegetarian meal. Please ensure names are given to Hazel Main by 12th February either by email to hmain [at] tinyworld.co.uk or telephone 01224 781171 (just leave a message). If you want a vegetarian meal tell Hazel then, or we will not be able to provide it for you as we are not in an hotel this year.

Also don’t forget the Spring Show in the Winter Gardens in Duthie Park on 19^th & 20^th March.

Anyone fancy making up a GFAA table for the Quiz?

Sutherland Kale Seeds

By Norman

On February 8, 2016

In News

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

Primary Plans 2016

By Norman

On January 31, 2016

In Events, News

After a successful meeting with Diane Rough, Depute Head from Kaimhill Primary this week, we have confirmed that another series of pupil visits will take place this year. Last year we hosted Primary 2/3 visits to our site. I think we can say a good time was had by all!

We hope to start earlier this year, in April rather than June and we plan one or two visits a week over a 10 week period. Details are yet to be confirmed, but we hope two Primary 3 classes will visit to look after the new Primary School Plot being developed down by the Community Orchard, taking alternative weeks. Stuart is in charge of getting the plot ready for use and Vinny has agreed to maintain it.

In addition Primary 6 pupils will be building bird boxes and Bug Houses which we hope they will come on site to distribute to interested plotters. Other classes may come to follow some of the learning trails we developed and supported last year. All visits are planned for afternoons on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

We need to say a big thank you to Aberdeen Greenspace who have agreed to fund this collaboration over the next 12 months. Without their support the development of the new plot as part of our ‘outdoor classroom’ would not have been possible.

Last season Stuart, Norman, Gill and Jacqui hosted all the sessions. In the coming year we will be pushed to meet all of the demand. If any plotters or volunteers could offer to help out for an hour or so on any days they would be most welcome. See any of the above if you can help.

New Equipment Arrivals

By Norman

On January 29, 2016

In Equipment, News

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.