Ashford Allotments
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    • Tips for showing
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  • Other local allotments

WELL DONE YOU!

26/3/2014

1 Comment

 

Neglected plots tackled all over the place!

It's really thrilling to see so many neglected plots being cleaned up and planted this spring. Some of these plots haven't seen a spade for a long time - even for well over a year, so well done all of you who have seized the day and brought your plots back into cultivation.

The satisfaction of seeing neat rows of seedlings where not so long ago there was just a mess of weeds is fantastic. If you're one of the few people still hanging back, don't be left out. Make this weekend the one when you beat the weeds and start off your summer treats of peas and beans.

Very shortly the council inspections will begin. With hundreds on the waiting list, the council will inevitably be taking a long hard look at plots which aren't being used. You can see their point - why let a plot run to weeds when someone else is desperate to get it looking lovely?

Happily, many of the allotmentholders who were in danger of losing their plots have come up trumps this spring and their plots will be a credit to them.

Don't forget, the council will expect to see the whole plot being cultivated, not just an odd corner or a few small beds. If your plot is larger than you need, or you are having difficulties coping with the area, the council will always be happy to consider splitting it, so you have the right amount and someone else gets the benefit of the rest. You'll win out too, as with less weeds round it'll be easier to keep your bit clear.

If you'd like to split your plot, then don't delay. Phone Eileen Law on 01233 330476
1 Comment

Seed Testers

25/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Please note: the seed testers scheme is now closed for this year. We will report on how it works and if it is a success, repeat it next year.
0 Comments

Good homes for spare plants.

22/3/2014

0 Comments

 
If you propagate your own plants, you always seem to have a few more than you need!
Surplus tomato, pepper and other plants will be welcome at the Trading Store, where they can be sold to raise funds for Ashford Allotment Society. Bring your plants at 10am on any day when the Trading Store is open (click here for OPENING TIMES).

Donated plants will need to be labelled with variety and should be of the kind of quality you'd like to buy yourself.
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Volunteers please step forward!

22/3/2014

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Our busy and thriving Trading Store
is looking for some volunteers.

Would you like to meet fellow gardeners in a jolly setting? The Trading Store would very much like to welcome volunteers who could spare a couple of hours on a Saturday morning.

You would find yourself helping Trading Store members by weighing out plant foods, helping load cars with composts, and measuring out weed control fabric, netting and so on.

You would not need to come every time the seed shed is open. It would be nice to have volunteers who could come once a month through the summer, but any help will be welcome.

If you'd like to see what's involved and talk to the Trading Store crew, come down on one of the days the Trading Store is open. Things are busiest from 10-12am, so this would be the time volunteers would be most valuable.

To see OPENING TIMES and more about the Trading Store, CLICK HERE.
0 Comments

Help! My fruit bushes are completely overgrown with couch grass!

21/3/2014

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What on earth can I do?

Weeds, especially grass, do a lot of damage to your crops. Fruit bushes are greedy plants and the grass steals the food and water they so badly need. Remove the weeds, feed the plants, and you'll really notice a difference in your yields.

Couch grass getting in amongst fruit bushes is a very common problem on Ashford allotments and there is still time to clear them of weeds if you use the 'cheat's method' described on our 'Advice & Information' page. Click here to discover the secret.

0 Comments

Have you discovered Kent Wool Growers yet? If not, you're really missing something!

20/3/2014

2 Comments

 
Kent Wool Growers is a farmers' supply store which is also open to the ordinary public. For now, it's still in Tannery Lane, next to the Post Office sorting office - though it will be moving to new larger premises soon. Check out the lovely down-to-earth atmosphere and find the many bargains in store.

KWG has an excellent range of garden tools - all very good quality and very reasonably priced, so anyone buying tools should check them out. You'll be agreeably surprised, and, like me, find some unexpected bargains too.

Kent Wool Growers stock Bulldog Tools, True Temper, and their own range as well. Their own tools include very desirable stainless steel spades, forks, rakes and edgers and so on with well-made wooden handles. The mark of a good tool - they are light and well-balanced, a joy to use. Spades and forks are £16.60, the beautifully made rake just £11.92.

Felco secateurs are also available. These are the professional's choice, worth every penny as they last a lifetime. I still have the pair I bought 30 years ago and use them everyday. KWG stock a range of replacement blades and springs, so you never need to buy another pair. Spare blades for Felco folding pruning saws are also in stock.


2 Comments

How to get all the grit and mud out of leeks!

19/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Always a problem, isn't it? this method really works, we've tried it.

The expert's method has now been added to our

"Fruit & Veg A - Z" section.
Click here to go there.
0 Comments

Drainage work at William Road

19/3/2014

1 Comment

 
New Drainage Work at  William Road Allotments

Ashford Borough Council will shortly be undertaking work to install a French drain across the rear of the William Road allotment site. The intention is that this will intercept, and carry away, the surplus water which has been running onto the site and causing problems to both allotments and properties on William Road.

The work will commence as soon as the soil conditions permit. The water will be carried into the existing surface ditch which runs across the bottom of the adjacent playing field.

Those allotmenteers whose plots are affected have already been notified in writing, and a letter and plan is available to examine on the noticeboard at the William Road site. The work will not affect any of the properties on William Road as the drain will intercept the water at the other side of the allotments.


1 Comment

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING

18/3/2014

2 Comments

 

The next meeting of the Committee of Ashford Allotment Society will be on Wednesday April 23rd at 6.30pm,
at the Civic Centre.

Any member of the Society (that is anyone with an allotment in the Borough) is welcome to attend as an observer. However, any points you wish made must be made through your site representative; you may not speak at the meeting.

If there is any matter you would like raised, and your site does not have a rep or there is any other reason you would prefer not to go through your rep, you may send it to the publicity manager at ashfordallotments@yahoo.co.uk. If you are reading this but do not have email, then use our contact form either to leave me a message or to leave me your telephone number.

When meetings are held in the evening, the main door of the Civic Centre may not be open. If so, please go to the door at the back of the building which leads in from the little carpark.
2 Comments

New section added to A-Z

16/3/2014

0 Comments

 

A new section on POTATOES has just been added to the Fruit & Veg A-Z with a range of info and tips.

Click here to see it.
0 Comments
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    This website is happy to publicise all garden-related events.
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