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Finally got the greenhouse fully glazed..yipee!, also cut and finished the final panes for the neighbours one, so she's really chuffed too. removed all the offcuts and final broken panes to the car for transport to the tip.,..jobs a goodun!Lodsworth
Here is the paste of the manners letter I sent round-should you be interested
If anyone has any good suggestions please let me know
Allotment Etiquette
We all wish to continue to have a happy site, of which we can be proud and where we enjoy spending time. Also all monies collected for the rent portion of our yearly bill will only be spent to the benefit of the tenants and therefore it is in all our interests to keep maintenance costs (and water costs) to a minimum so we have a little capital with which to make improvements.
I am far from perfect; I don't know it all, and I understand accidents will happen. Lodsworth allotments are populated by courteous helpful folk anyway. So, in no way do I wish to be patronising when I offer this list of suggestions to save money and help us avoid irritating one another.
Water Obviously we need to be frugal, but as a general rule, if you do need to water, it is better to do it thoroughly rather than 'tease' you crops. This is because they will subsequently only have shallow roots and not survive a real drought. Sprinklers do have their moments but are not that accurate (so cause weeds to grow.) Generally plants prefer the warmer water afforded by a butt applied accurately with a can.
One good tip is to sink an inverted bottomless bottle by a thirsty plant so you deliver the water to the roots and apply a mulch.
Refill the butt when you're done so it is warmed for the next user.
Please don't fill up the butts with mud by washing your veg in them (use a bucket or the lid and a hose instead)
replace the lid when you're done
try and collect as much rain water as you can.
Other's plots Please try and stop yourself, you're dogs or your kids trampling on people's prepared land, seedbeds or crops; especially in the growing season.
Paths. We all need to get around, so please don't block or leave weeds or detritis on established routes. I often take my mower for a walk- so definitely NO STONES. Do feel free to take your mower for a spin too. We also need to keep the hedge trimmed to allow access path to remain free, and do a bit of strimming.
General tidiness Do endeavour to keep the site tidy and remove any rubbish. All tenants are required by the lease to take their share of the upkeep of all uncultivated and communal areas. I intend to arrange a couple of General tidy up mornings and an annual meeting each year (probably Saturdays in October or March) All tenants should attend.
Weeds A good composting regime is at the heart of gardening.
Please don't let your plot run to seed everywhere.
Perenial weed roots should be dealt with on your plot, There is NO general dumping ground. Lay them out on plastic or chicken wire to dry out and then add them to your heap or bonfire.
Bonfires Be thoughtful: During late Spring and Summer, when our neighbours are enjoying their gardens, avoid covering them, or their laundry, in smoke. Choose a dull evening or wait till Autumn.
Scrumping and Sharing However depressing it is to see good food and work wasted, please don't touch any crops on a occupied plot without asking. If you have a glut or spare plants -please put them on the dog cart (on the headland) for others to use. It is good policy to help each other out with holiday cover. When the new village shop opens we might club together to sell some excesses there and raise some more money that way.
Tools and Hoses. We have never had a problem with theft. If you do need to borrow something occasionally most people don't mind as long you return to the same place in the same state or better.
It is best to share the hoses (or there is too much spaghetti about). Please coil them up off the paths when your done.
Chemicals and Wildlife Most of us try to avoid chemicals as for many it is the whole point of GYO...but if you must then:
Herbicides. Avoid drift.
Pesticides. Spray or dust on a still evening when the bees etc. have gone to bed.
Slug pellets. Especially metalhydryde; The problem comes from wildlife eating the dying snails etc. (not from eating the pellets themselves.) Be sparing and net or fleece the crop to stop animals gaining access. Surprisingly 11/13 varieties of slug I know only eat decaying material. The worst ones are infact the little grey keel slugs that live in the soil anyway.
Other matters.
Carpet. The use of carpet as a weed suppressant is henceforth absolutely forbidden. It leaches horrid chemicals into the soil, and is impossible to remove if abandoned.
Allotments Association. I given this some thought and decided that we don't really need a formal club for the time being (or at least I am not going to organise one) I think tenancy is enough in itself. I still intend to have a social evening with a BBQ in June.
Instead, I propose that a list of tenants telephone details be circulated to all. Please could anyone who wishes to be excluded from such a list let me know. I should also like to place a small notice board on the headland as a means of general communication.
There are a couple of implications here: Any Public liability will have to be on an individual basis- should you think it necessary. It will also be slightly more difficult to obtain any grants etc. for improvements without a commitee etc..
Finally, 'The Garden Club' are running a veg patch competition. It is on Friday 13th June. Do let me know if you wish to enter as they have asked me for everyone's details.
Plans for Capital Outlay/improvements: Should there be any money available, I shall endeavour to persuade the district council to provide some cheap water butts (and compost bins) for those that require them. I am always willing to listen to suggestions.
Although it is not the tenants responsibility, the wall is crumbling at the front again. While the PC are fixing it I hope to persuade them to improve the steps at the front. Please take care if you do use them, as you do so at your risk and they are very hazardous.
Peter brought the cultivatior from JB and we will be happy to tear up any plots that need it next time we bring the tractor.(too wet last week) Just ask us.
I hope you all have a successful and happy season.
Paul
Here is the paste of the manners letter I sent round-should you be interested
If anyone has any good suggestions please let me know
Allotment Etiquette
We all wish to continue to have a happy site, of which we can be proud and where we enjoy spending time. Also all monies collected for the rent portion of our yearly bill will only be spent to the benefit of the tenants and therefore it is in all our interests to keep maintenance costs (and water costs) to a minimum so we have a little capital with which to make improvements.
I am far from perfect; I don't know it all, and I understand accidents will happen. Lodsworth allotments are populated by courteous helpful folk anyway. So, in no way do I wish to be patronising when I offer this list of suggestions to save money and help us avoid irritating one another.
Water Obviously we need to be frugal, but as a general rule, if you do need to water, it is better to do it thoroughly rather than 'tease' you crops. This is because they will subsequently only have shallow roots and not survive a real drought. Sprinklers do have their moments but are not that accurate (so cause weeds to grow.) Generally plants prefer the warmer water afforded by a butt applied accurately with a can.
One good tip is to sink an inverted bottomless bottle by a thirsty plant so you deliver the water to the roots and apply a mulch.
Refill the butt when you're done so it is warmed for the next user.
Please don't fill up the butts with mud by washing your veg in them (use a bucket or the lid and a hose instead)
replace the lid when you're done
try and collect as much rain water as you can.
Other's plots Please try and stop yourself, you're dogs or your kids trampling on people's prepared land, seedbeds or crops; especially in the growing season.
Paths. We all need to get around, so please don't block or leave weeds or detritis on established routes. I often take my mower for a walk- so definitely NO STONES. Do feel free to take your mower for a spin too. We also need to keep the hedge trimmed to allow access path to remain free, and do a bit of strimming.
General tidiness Do endeavour to keep the site tidy and remove any rubbish. All tenants are required by the lease to take their share of the upkeep of all uncultivated and communal areas. I intend to arrange a couple of General tidy up mornings and an annual meeting each year (probably Saturdays in October or March) All tenants should attend.
Weeds A good composting regime is at the heart of gardening.
Please don't let your plot run to seed everywhere.
Perenial weed roots should be dealt with on your plot, There is NO general dumping ground. Lay them out on plastic or chicken wire to dry out and then add them to your heap or bonfire.
Bonfires Be thoughtful: During late Spring and Summer, when our neighbours are enjoying their gardens, avoid covering them, or their laundry, in smoke. Choose a dull evening or wait till Autumn.
Scrumping and Sharing However depressing it is to see good food and work wasted, please don't touch any crops on a occupied plot without asking. If you have a glut or spare plants -please put them on the dog cart (on the headland) for others to use. It is good policy to help each other out with holiday cover. When the new village shop opens we might club together to sell some excesses there and raise some more money that way.
Tools and Hoses. We have never had a problem with theft. If you do need to borrow something occasionally most people don't mind as long you return to the same place in the same state or better.
It is best to share the hoses (or there is too much spaghetti about). Please coil them up off the paths when your done.
Chemicals and Wildlife Most of us try to avoid chemicals as for many it is the whole point of GYO...but if you must then:
Herbicides. Avoid drift.
Pesticides. Spray or dust on a still evening when the bees etc. have gone to bed.
Slug pellets. Especially metalhydryde; The problem comes from wildlife eating the dying snails etc. (not from eating the pellets themselves.) Be sparing and net or fleece the crop to stop animals gaining access. Surprisingly 11/13 varieties of slug I know only eat decaying material. The worst ones are infact the little grey keel slugs that live in the soil anyway.
Other matters.
Carpet. The use of carpet as a weed suppressant is henceforth absolutely forbidden. It leaches horrid chemicals into the soil, and is impossible to remove if abandoned.
Allotments Association. I given this some thought and decided that we don't really need a formal club for the time being (or at least I am not going to organise one) I think tenancy is enough in itself. I still intend to have a social evening with a BBQ in June.
Instead, I propose that a list of tenants telephone details be circulated to all. Please could anyone who wishes to be excluded from such a list let me know. I should also like to place a small notice board on the headland as a means of general communication.
There are a couple of implications here: Any Public liability will have to be on an individual basis- should you think it necessary. It will also be slightly more difficult to obtain any grants etc. for improvements without a commitee etc..
Finally, 'The Garden Club' are running a veg patch competition. It is on Friday 13th June. Do let me know if you wish to enter as they have asked me for everyone's details.
Plans for Capital Outlay/improvements: Should there be any money available, I shall endeavour to persuade the district council to provide some cheap water butts (and compost bins) for those that require them. I am always willing to listen to suggestions.
Although it is not the tenants responsibility, the wall is crumbling at the front again. While the PC are fixing it I hope to persuade them to improve the steps at the front. Please take care if you do use them, as you do so at your risk and they are very hazardous.
Peter brought the cultivatior from JB and we will be happy to tear up any plots that need it next time we bring the tractor.(too wet last week) Just ask us.
I hope you all have a successful and happy season.
Paul
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