Looking ahead

Firstly, please please remember to turn off the tap whenever you have finished filling any of the water troughs.

Some of you have commented recently on the number of overgrown or untended plots on the site — it has been a challenging year, with relentless rains in the spring producing acres of lush grass, and an explosion in the slug population! But now that the weather is with us, we hope that you are getting some nice produce from your plot.

We wanted to give you advance notice that there will be a plot inspection in September (precise date to be confirmed) at some point before the rent falls due at the end of the month. Here is a checklist of what do over the coming weeks in preparation for the inspection:

  • Make sure your plot number is clearly displayed on the edge nearest to the lane.
  • If you are uncertain about a path, or the boundary that separates you from your neighbour(s) is unclear, please talk to them to see if you can sort it out. If you are still unsure where the division lies let the Membership Secretary know.
  • Cut back invasive weeds and long grass.
  • Trees on plots should be no taller than 3 metres, and now is the time of year to prune stone fruit trees such as plums and cherries. Apple and pears should be pruned in the winter.
  • Cover any areas that you are unable to cultivate this season. You could sow green manures, or lay a breathable material such as woven plastic or hessian coffee sacks. NB – NO CARPET.

If you are struggling with any of these tasks please contact the Membership Secretary by email.

EWAA Committee

Allotment shopping & allium sets

APOLOGIES for the mis-information! There is still one more weekend to go in July so the EWAA Shop will be open for an hour this coming Sunday between 11 and 12.

ALLIUMS: now is the time for us to order garlic and onion sets for planting in autumn, so if you are interested in seeing alliums on sale at the Shop please send a brief email to shop@ewaa.org.uk indicating which of these you would like to find there: garlic, yellow onions, red onions.

EWAA Shop Officer

There are two more shopping Sundays before the August closure

More supplies arrived this month, so you can stock up on what you need during July. The EWAA Shop does not open during August, so the next opportunity will be September 1st.

Coffee Sacks
If you’re looking for an alternative to woven plastic ground cover we have some hessian sacks from a local roaster.

Back in Stock
~ Blood, fish & bonemeal ~ Potato sacks ~ John Innes no.2 ~ Liquid seaweed ~ Twine ~ Canes

*new Trees Care
~ Winter tree wash ~ Tree grease ~ Grease bands ~ Trunk guards

Slugs Defences
~ Slug wool ~ Copper slug tape ~ Hog-safe pellets

Green Manures
Don’t forget them! They improve soil health and help to keep the weeds at bay. There are several types in stock that you can sow now.

Sunshine at last!

Now that the weather is urging us to be out on our plots, please take time to familiarise yourself with the rules and etiquette around fires. Try to compost as much organic material as possible, and consider those around you.

  • No bonfires before 6pm or before dusk when the days are shorter and it gets dark before 6pm
  • No bonfires on Sundays or public holidays
  • Only burn plant material that is thoroughly DRY and free of soil
  • Do NOT bring rubbish onto the site for burning
  • Stay close to the fire at all times
  • Never light a fire on a windy day
  • Extinguish a fire immediately with water if another plot-holder reports having trouble breathing, or if a neighbour from the surrounding houses complains

EWAA Allotment Committee

Water Tanks

At last – the weather has improved and we need to water our plants!

Please take care to turn the taps off firmly, and never leave the tap running unless you are nearby. The water on site is metered, so when tanks overflow it costs the Association money!

REMINDER: Never wash tools or produce in the tanks because this spreads disease. Use a bucket of water instead.

Tent Moth Infestation – apple trees

If you notice this problem on one of your trees, now is the time to act as the caterpillars hatch.
You can:
* Spray 1 – Neem Oil mixed with pure soap in water. Neem oil is an environmentally friendly spray that will kill both eggs and caterpillars.
* Spray 2 – Cider Vinegar, pure soap and light cooking oil (0.25tbsp, 0.5tbsp, 1tbsp) mixed well into a litre of water.

Both sprays need to thoroughly wet the caterpillars and eggs to be effective, so get the spray into the ‘tent’. You may need to spray several times to catch them all, and it is good to vary the spray to stop resistance to the spray building up.

Alternatively, they can be removed by hand if you can reach.
There’s lots more information online.
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