Hi Fellow Plot Holders and Visitors to our Blog Welcome to our visitors to our web pages - we trust you will find it interesting. In common with many sites around the country - our allotments go from strength to strength as witnessed by the photographs in our albums.
All plots are let and being cultivated and we have held our first ever Open Day and Plant Sale on June 14th - the weather was kind to us and we had lots of visitors - it was a lovely day and we had some great comments from visitors to the site. See Album June Open Day for pictures.
Below are some of our members getting ready for the Open Day: 
| Tony's Tips & Techniques
HOW MUCH WATER? Gardening experts say in the Summer months, our plots need 25 mm [1”] of rain every week. This is roughly 2 gallons per square yard. Obviously if you water every square yard of your plot - that’s a lot of water. I reckon each row of plants each 1’ wide by 9’ long equates to one square yard requiring 10 litres of water. Runner beans need this on every single row and for this reason I always have a water butt very close to my runner beans. Two rows of beans on my plot equals 30 gallons of water. My tip is to buy a rain gauge so if it rains you can deduct the amount from your watering can ie: if we have ½” of rain, your 10 litre can will water eighteen feet instead of 9. The reason for giving these figures is to show why many failures are due to lack of water. Watering is like hoeing, a grower who knows what he or she is doing will be hoeing when there are no visible weeds. That same knowledgeable grower will be watering even when it has possibly rained the day before. BANANAS Banana skin is made from the four fused leaves of the outer layer. If you make a tubular container from four components, It will assume a square cross section. The fruit inside most bananas is formed from three fused segments. Since the apexes of a square and a triangle don’t line up, the banana can’t grow into the corners of the peel. The gaps are filled instead with a fibrous layer making the fruit tubular. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT When using a straw for drinking - what makes the liquid go up the straw? FINALLY If you have a job on your plot that needs doing - you have left it too late! | |
| WELCOME It has been a while since we have been able to welcome new members to the site due to a lack of available plots. It is with pleasure then that we welcome Jayne Harris to Plot 12A. Many of you may have already met Jayne, who has been on the waiting list for some time, but has been kind enough to assist our Honorary President, Tony Thatcher, on his plot whilst waiting. Congratulations Jayne on getting your own plot now, we wish you well in the future. | |
ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY Following on from Open Day, and after many months of consultation and form filling, attending meetings and making contacts with local groups and schools, Malcolm has managed to secure a grant from the Stourbridge Area Committee. The grant is made for the purchase of a Natsol compost toilet [You can see details in the Allotment and Leisure Gardeners magazine or on the Natsol web site]. When complete, we shall be the only allotment site in Dudley with a convenience of our own. Our application was given huge support from Councillor Liz Walker, whose very positive input helped secure the grant for us. Liz also supported our Open Day and we are very lucky to have her as a friend to the site. Now the work starts, we have to make the plot ready, place the order, liaise with the Council, oversee the installation, build a ramp and landscape the area, getting the money was just the start! | SEED TRAYS - WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT? | |
| | SEEDS TRAYS - WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT? Now I am no expert and wouldn't dream of telling anyone else how to garden, only what works for me. It may be women's logic, but I can't find any use for seed trays whatsoever. They take up a whole lot of valuable planting space, need constant monitoring for watering, are difficult to cover unless you pay out extra for clear plastic covers, being only a inch or two deep leave very little room for root growth, can usually only be moved one at a time and, when your little plants are ready for pricking out, they are difficult to get at without damage to the roots. I plant all of my seeds into larger pots at least 5” or above depending on the plants that I am growing. I use a larger pot for brassicas and squashes, but might use a 5” for lettuce and herbs. Depending on the size of the pot, I put in a couple of inches of compost, then sprinkle in a fertiliser such as Phostrogen and mix it with the compost at the bottom of the pot. My reasoning for this is, when the roots have travelled down towards the bottom of the pot, I figure they may be ready for a bit more nutrient. I top up the pot with compost, and sprinkle or place my seeds on top, depending on the size of the seed. Peas, beans, spinach, Swiss Chard etc., have large seeds, so can be planted individually around the pot for as many plants as you think reasonable for the size of the pot. If the plants are a bit delicate, pots can be popped into a clear plastic bag. Or you can pop several pots into a propagator [which normally hold only a couple of seed trays]. Otherwise, just water and wait. I am not able to visit my plot every day, therefore, cannot water daily. By having seeds in deep pots, the compost can retain more water and will not dry out as quickly as a seed tray. When my little plants are big enough to plant out, [I usually look at the bottom of the pot and if the roots are coming out at the bottom, they are ready to go] I tip the whole pot out carefully on its side and lift the plants holding one of the leaves shake them gently loose from their companions and pop them into their new homes. The only use I have for seed trays is for the ones with no holes in the bottom, and I use these to stand my seeded pots in so that I can water them from the bottom.     
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| HELP US TO SPEND A PENNY! | |
As regular readers know, we are attempting to raise money to fund a toilet on site. The project requires in excess of £7,000 - a lot of money! All of us get odd pennies in change, if fact almost everything we buy seems to have 99p at the end of the price tag. These odd pennies can be a nuisance, filling up you purse and bulging out pockets. 
So here’s a thought, why not save them up each week and give them to us? There are currently in excess of 70 members on site, plus partners and families and if each of us gave just a few odd pennies each week to the cause, it would help us reach our goal a lot more quickly.
If you would like to help, Janet will have a collection box in the Trading Post
and, if you don’t come to the site at the weekends when the Trading Post is open, you can give the money to any of our committee - details on the notice
board. If you feel you can help - many thanks. After all Big Oaks from Little Acorns Grow! JULY'S SPOTLIGHT Unfortunately, our nominee for Spotlight for July has had a change of heart and declined to partake. If any of our members want to share with us - please contact Pauline - Plot 69 JUNE'S SPOTLIGHT IS ON: DAVID HASSELL Hi David, tell us a little about yourself,
I worked mainly in sales – Refractory Cements – Insulation – Specialised Gaskets and Aluminium. Production Controller for the Newey Goodman Group based in Tipton. I have three brothers and one sister (I am the middle one). Born at the start of World War II – October 1939. Oh and I have a wife.
What other interests do you enjoy?
Running- I have been running since seeing the first London Marathon in 1981 but my running days may now be over as I have problems with my knees. I support Pat with her Amateur Dramatics. I enjoy socialising, entertaining, caravanning and walking.
How did you come to take an allotment?
I started gardening with my mother when I was about 12 or 13 and I still remember her saying that she would like an Allotment so I think this is where the 'seed' was first sown. Later on in life I promised myself that when I retired I would have one – I just wish my mother was alive today to see our site.
How did you find out about Amblecote Allotments?
We started looking around about October 2003 and looked at various sites but Pat worked with Maureen Barnett and she told us about Amblecote Site – we felt that this was the best site we saw and we took on our first plot (15A) in March 2004.
Do you feel you are making progress with your plots?
Although I thought we were making slow progress, I look back now and see we did quite well as our plots were in an awful state. 16B which we took on in about April 2005 was in a worse state that 15A. I now feel that I have broken the back of the hard work and I can now get myself organised and learn how to grow (no pun intended about myself!)
Do you find your fellow allotmenteers helpful?
Yes – very helpful and friendly.
Do you think that having an allotment has had any effect on your life?
The allotment has given me a purpose in life to get out of bed in the morning – even in the winter. I find it very relaxing and therapeutic.
Do you have any favourite vegetables?
Carrots, broad beans, sprouts, potatoes…………… I could go on and on. They taste so different from bought ones – even from farm shops
Do you have a favourite recipe?
Chips – from our own Picasso potatoes.
Is there anything you particularly enjoy on the allotments?
We no longer have to shop around for any vegetables – we obviously save money as
well. I also like the wildlife – the birds, frogs, tadpoles etc.
Is there anything that disappoints you about having an
allotment at Amblecote?
The thing that annoys me is the stories of theft off plots and vandalism from youths breaking into the allotment.
Do you have anything to pass on to our new plot holders?
Take it easy and don't try to do everything at once. Don't be afraid to ask for advice. Come and help us make this a happy environment for all of us to enjoy and improve the facilities for us all. Respect other plot holders 'privacy' if they want it. Support our new social events. 
MAY'S SPOTLIGHT IS ON: KAREN MARSH Hi Karen, tell us a little about yourself.
We used to have a acre and half garden and my father always grew his own vegetables because you can't beat fresh. I had to get up at 5 30 am to pick the veg before I went to school, so that my mother could sell it.
How did you come to take an allotment?
I used to work at Corbett hospital, which overlooked the allotments, and I came down one Sunday morning and asked Brian Plant if i could have an allotment
Have you noticed many changes in your time on the allotment?
I have now been on the allotment about 15 years and have seen many people come and go and many changes. There are a lot more people on site today and it is not over grown any more it has taken time but hey - Rome wasn't built in a day.
Do you find your fellow allotmenteers helpful?
Yes I would like to say a big thank you to Dennis Highfield for all his help and knowledge for although I knew a lot about plants already, but after a time one forgets and Dennis has always put me right.
Do you think that having an allotment has had any effect on your life?
I like coming to the allotment it gives me space and time to relax and chat with other allotmenteers.
Do you have any favourite vegetables?
I like anything that you can eat but I especially like sprouts and cabbage.
Is there anything you particularly enjoy on the allotments?
I enjoy the allotment most when everything is growing and of course picking time. Also we have put bird boxes up and in the past we have had a family of hedgehogs on the plot but haven't seen them for some time.
Is there anything that disappoints you about having an allotment at Amblecote?
The only thing I dislike is people breaking into the allotments and not knowing what you will find.
Do you have anything to pass on to our new plot holders?
If you don't know about growing something you just ask and help will be at hand. if one person does not know the answer another will. I think too that the best is yet to come on the site and really look forward to having toilets, a club house and the road improved.  
APRIL'S SPOTLIGHT IS ON: TONY THATHCER Hi Tony, tell us a little about yourself.
My full name is Anthony John Thatcher and I’ve been married to Enid for 57 years. We have one son, Michael who is married and we have 2 grandchildren.
I was a manager for 27 years - now retired.
My hobbies are woodwork and D.I.Y. and, of course, gardening.
Why did you decide to take an allotment?
I wanted an allotment so that I could grow food like I wanted and I found the allotment from friends.
Have you noticed many changes in your time on the allotment?
The progress and change has been fantastic.
Do you find your fellow allotmenteers helpful?
The *esprit de corps has always been present
Do you think that having an allotment has had any effect on your life?
It has changed my life by getting into the fresh air and talking to plot holders.
Do you have any favourite vegetables?
My favourites are kidney beans, sprouts and early potatoes.
Is there anything you particularly enjoy on the allotments?
I love to go down to the plot, do a little work, then coffee and catch-up with the news.
Is there anything that disappoints you about having an allotment at Amblecote?
Yes - I HATE Thieving from plots!
Do you have any advice for our new plot holders?
Yes - take it easy, don’t try to rush it. Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” *Team spirit. 
Tony [left] and friends being presented with a cheque for £93 from West Midlands Police in 1998. 
Tony [centre] and fellow plot holders posing for an advertising
poster for Dudley Council, in 2000. MARCH'S SPOTLIGHT IS ON: JOAN GUEST 
Hi Joan, tell us a little about yourself.
When I worked, I was Head Clerk in a large furniture store, Cavendish-Woodhouse in Smethwick. I am now retired and a widow. I am a member of the Smethwick Heritage Society and regularly attend roadshows and meetings. I’ve had many hobbies over the years but my main interest now is gardening.
Why did you decide to take an allotment?
I wanted an allotment for several reasons, to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The fresh air and exercise. To meet like-minded people. I have met many lovely people in the 2 years I have had my plot.
Tell us about the changes you have made on your plot
I started with a half-plot which I completed in 12 months and then acquired half of the adjoining plot.
Have you noticed many changes in your time on the allotment?
Yes, there are more ladies now working plots on their own and more young families. Also, many more of the plots are now
being worked also there have been several social activities for everyone to enjoy.
Do you find your fellow allotmenteers helpful?
I have found my neighbouring plot holders willing to give me a hand to do jobs which I just couldn’t manage on my own.
Do you think that having an allotment has had any effect on your life?
Allotmenteering has completely changed my life. It has given me new friends, I spend a lot of time on my plot and enjoy the peace and quiet. I enjoy all aspects of working my plot. 
Compared with many allotments around the country, Amblecote has always been very generous by not imposing strict rules and regulations about what we grow and how we grow it and that it still true today. However, as we become more popular and are hoping to attract visitors and funding it may be time to give some consideration to how the site looks. We also need to be aware of safety on our site. If your plot fronts onto the road, have you stepped back to see if the front of your plot could be improved?
Do you regularly clear away the weeds from the front of your plot and keep the concrete edging clear?
Do you have room for a few flowers to brighten up your frontage and attract bees and other beneficial insects?
Is your compost bin tidy or full of weeds?
Have you considered whether there is old rusting metal or sharp objects on the front of your plot that could be unsafe for the increasing number of youngsters we now have on site? If your plot is adjacent to the perimeter edging Do you keep the hedge trimmed and neat? Do you ensure that rubbish is removed and not providing habitats for rats and mice?
If there is any damage to the perimeter fencing, have you reported it to Robert on Plot 70? Whilst we are waiting for the weather to improve, it is a good time to address these issues, because we often do not have the time to spare once the season is in full swing. After all, what better time to consider a bit of a spring clean? 
We have had a very successful year so far in letting plots to new tenants and may we take this opportunity to wish them every success in your new pastime. Where tenancies have terminated on larger plots, we have taken the opportunity to create smaller and more manageable plot. However, with the growth in popularity of allotment sites Nationwide, our list is now getting on for 30 - with all our plots being worked, it seems that some of the applicants may have a considerable wait for a plot. | IN DEFENCE OF RAISED BEDS | |
| I know that Tony is a man of great gardening experience and he doesn’t generally approve of raised beds because of the “wasted space” needed for pathways, however, with our limited experience, we have always had raised beds and find that this method suits us best. We had never grown vegetables previously and even before we were lucky enough to get our allotment, I did a lot of research on the internet to find out what methods of cultivation we should follow. There is a lot of information about the “No Dig” method of growing vegetables, and just the very name of it appealed immediately. Of course, initially, we had a great deal of digging – our plot had previously been cultivated in the traditional method and had not been dug over for several years and was consequently full of couch grass, dock leaves, brambles etc.. We decided to set out our plot in 10’ x 4’ beds with a couple of 10’ x 6’ beds, to fill up the space. 10’ x 4’ is recommended because you can easily reach the centre of the beds from the paths on either side, and in truth, we do find the 6’ beds more difficult to plant and weed. The “No Dig” method involves cultivating on the top few inches of your soil, which is considered to be the most productive, and the idea is that each year, a layer of compost is put on top of the bed and your plants are planted directly into the compost. Worms do most of the work for you by taking the compost down into the lower layer of soil. Of course, we still get weeds, but most of our work is now done with a trowel, and the only “real” digging is done when planting and digging up potatoes. We don’t regard our paths as wasted space, because raised beds are reckoned to be more productive we can grow all the produce we need. Other benefits include being able to work on the plots even after heavy rain and, because we have paved pathways, no muddy boots. We never walk on the soil and consequently cause no damage to the structure of the soil. The raised beds are thought to warm up more quickly and are less prone to flooding than flat beds. When time is limited [and it always is!] we can spare half an hour or so and weed one of the beds and feel that we have accomplished something. Dividing the beds using re-cycled wood, as we have done, can initially be quite expensive but the wood will last for several seasons. The “No Dig” method can still be used without the wooden surrounds and you can simply raise the beds by the regular addition of compost. At the end of the growing season, if there are no winter vegetables in the bed, we cover the beds completely with cardboard to stop the goodness leaching our of the soil and usually find by the spring that the compost worms have made a good start on breaking down the cardboard, which then goes into our compost bins. Having a good supply of compost is essential to our method of cultivation, that is why we have 6 wooden compost bins plus the plastic ones. We don’t advocate any method in particular, just stating what is best for us. You pays your money and you makes your choice! Malcolm – Plot 69 | |
I feel that, although we all take on our plots to grow vegetables, fruit and flowers, we have a responsibility to look after the soil that provides us with our bounty. Have you ever considered that, every time you take home unwashed vegetables with their roots attached, you are also removing a small amount of soil from the site, over a dozen or so years, this could lead to a great deal of erosion on the site, unless we take action to avoid it. To help combat this on our own plot, I endeavour always to wash the roots of vegetables in a bucket of water on site and then pour the water back onto the beds. However, I consider the most important action that we can take to avoid this erosion is to make as much compost as possible and to this end we compost as much of the material grown on site as we possibly can. Unless a plant is particularly diseased, such as the roots of brassicas with club root and potato haulms and tomatoes plants with blight virtually everything on our plot gets composted. This includes the stems of hard brassicas such as sprouts and cabbages they will not easily rot down left in the natural state, but a bit of bashing with a mallet soon reduces them to a pulp that will quickly be absorbed into compost. This also applies to the stems of sweet corn. Why burn this useful commodity when it can so easily be composted? After all burning only serves to pollute our air and gives nothing back to nature. We bring our own garden clippings and cuttings to the site along with any vegetable matter and eggshells from the kitchen. We also break up the layers by using shredded paper, cardboard. spent hops, grass cuttings and manure. If your own experience of making compost is a slimy smelly mess the chances are you have made your compost at home using mainly grass cuttings to be successful compost needs to be made of layers of differing materials. It also speeds up the composting process if your regularly turn the bins - a great job for a cold winter’s day. Vic Cartwright [Plot 13A] is a man of many talents, not only is he a keen gardener, but is also a dab hand with a brush and easel, as can be seen in the picture of Vic with his latest water colour. Vic has been a regular on Amblecote Allotments for around 15 years and has seen many changes on the site. Vic took to painting when he took early retirement after 34 years with Handy Angle in Brierley Hill. Vic is enjoying his retirement and always has a smile and a cheery word for fellow plot holders In addition to his painting, Vic also keeps busy, fit and active cultivating his plot, is a keen sequence dancer of many years standing and also enjoys the odd game of dominoes. – perhaps he will do some sketches of the allotment for us. 
On many allotment sites throughout the Country, there are regulations covering the upkeep of front of allotment plots. All of them stated the area must be kept weed free - as does ours. However, some sites take this further and insist that flowers are grown on the first two feet of the plot. A few of our tenants bordering the road already do this and it looks really good. So next time you have spare flower seed, please consider cultivating the front of your plot and sewing the seeds there - I’m sure that you and all our other
tenants will appreciate the colour and beauty this small effort will bring to our site. 
I just thought I’d pop in a couple of photos that we took during the first year we were on the allotments. The first one taken on 12th January 2003, was our first look at the plot. We were told it had not been worked for 4 years and had been covered to try to suppress the weeds. They were still all there under the plastic - couch grass, docks, dandelions added to which were rolls of old carpet, which the couch had grown through. There was plenty of old rotten wood, rusty cans, broken glass etc. We made so many trips to the local civic amenity site with rubbish they were thinking of giving us a season ticket.  The next picture was taken in June the same year. Bear in mind that we had never grown vegetables before – our garden at home is too small. We were both working full time so time on the plot was limited, but you can see that we had made quite a change. By the way, the shed on the left is the old shed shown in the first picture. We threw away the front, re-roofed and painted what was left and it now makes a great shelter from the sun in summer and the wind in winter while we have a cuppa.
So to all newcomers with badly overgrown plots – don’t despair, you will get there, don’t try to do too much at a time. Have a plan how you want your plot to look - beds and pathways - and tackle one bed at a time. | Amblecote Allotments, School Drive Amblecote, Stourbridge Get updates via email:
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