Author: joan

I found this great website www.giantveg.co.uk, and can’t help wondering how it feels to grow a beetroot taller than yourself……..

Beetroot (long) UK Record – 640cm (21.0ft) – Peter Glazebrook – United Kingdom – 2008
Onion UK Record 8.195kg (18lb 06 ozs) – Peter Glazebrook – United Kingdom – 2012
Parsnip (long) UK Record 5.607 metres (18ft .39in) – Peter Glazebrook – United Kingdom – 2012
Potato UK Record: 4.98kg (10.95lb) – Peter Glazebrook – United Kingdom – 2011
Radish UK Record: 9.15kg (20.15lb) – Peter Glazebrook – United Kingdom – 2008
Longest Runner bean UK Record 86.4cm (34″) – Peter Galzebrook – United Kingdom – 2005

My friend recently went to one of the Edinburgh allotment shows and was particularly scathing of the quality of the vegetables, flower arrangements and baking. This friend can’t tell the difference between a parsnip and a pansy, but she is a mean baker and I was disappointed by her comments.
There has been a lot of talk about whether the shows should still be held due to the cost, and I must admit that I’d like them to continue, although it’s probably just a romantic notion. To that end I’ll definitely be entering something next year, and unless my growing skills improve hugely it won’t be my veg!

If you are lucky enough to have a good crop of apples, this is a great way of using them. It’s very quick to make, especially if you serve it with thick farmhouse bread.
Pork with Apples and Cider (serves 2)
1 tbsp vegetable oil, 280g (10oz) Pork, cut into small strips, 2 eating apples, peeled cored and sliced, 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed, ½ tbsp. brown sugar, ½ tbsp cider vinegar, ½ tbsp. wholegrain mustard, 80ml (3 floz)cider.
Fry the pork in the oil over a high heat for 5 mins, or until it is lightly browned. Lift out of the pan with a slotted spoon and put to one side. Add apple and garlic to the pan. Lower the heat and sauté for 2 – 3 mins, until the apple is starting to colour, then stir in the sugar, vinegar and mustard. Return the pork to the pan, add the cider, and season with salt and pepper, and let everything simmer for a further 5 mins.

If you have ambitions of matching Peter Glazebrooks 34” runner bean, (see post on giant veg) now is a great time to start a bean trench. Firstly decide where your beans will be growing next year, I use the word LIBRA to help with my crop rotation (Legumes, brassicas, roots and alliums)
Dig a trench two spades wide by about 50cm deep. Line the bottom with a thick layer of cardboard or newspapers and thoroughly soak them, follow this with grass clipping and vegetable waste. Spread it our evenly and then add back the top soil enriched with some good garden compost and a general sprinkling of fish, blood and bone. As the veg breaks down you might find the trench dips a little so be prepared to top it up before planting your beans.

One of my work mates recently got a plot, it’s on a brand new site which has never been worked and the drainage is awful so he really has his work cut out. He confided he was on the verge of giving up and I told him I’d bring him something that would solve all his problems. I’m not sure what he was expecting, but I doubt it was the large roll of black fabric I presented him with!
I’d usually advise people to tackle their problems head on, but with allotments covering the problems until you have the time and energy to deal with them works well. Now he can concentrate on getting a small part of the plot ready for planting in the spring.

Ian Woolard has advised that the water will be turned off on Friday 26th October 2012. It is usually turned on again around March/April time dependant on the weather conditions

The idea of the FEDAGA meeting below is to try and get a handle on what members of FEDAGA/ plotholders would like from FEDAGA. Everyone is welcome, please let John McKinlay or Maggie Rodan (details below) know if you can attend.
findlayalloments@hotmail.co.uk
maggierodan@blueyonder.co.uk

Dear All

This is a reminder that FEDAGA is holding its Review Meeting on Saturday 10 November at Southside Community Centre, Nicholson Street, Edinburgh. The meeting will start at 10.30am (prompt!) and finish around 3pm. Please bring a packed lunch and drinks as the cafe on the premises will not be open – though there are plenty of places nearby to buy sandwiches etc. The room may not be very warm first thing so please make sure you have enough warm clothes for comfort.

The idea is to open the meeting with a brief summary of what FEDAGA has achieved (or not) over the years which has brought us to this position where a review of our aims and activities is required. The feeling throughout the past year or so is that we need to examine what we do, how we can improve and – most importantly – create better communications with plotholders in order to address and manage better their concerns and interests.

Over the past few months we have asked for comments via the newsletter, the Show and through regular contact with site committees, reps and plotholders. Now we hope to use the Review Day to examine those comments and suggestions, hear more and then start the process of change in order that FEDAGA can serve plotholders more effectively and efficiently.

The plan is that representatives from sites attend in the morning to contribute comments to help shape FEDAGA’s aims and objectives. Those comments will then be summarised and taken to a slightly more formal meeting in the afternoon where we hope to develop a plan of action for FEDAGA from the comments and suggestions we have gathered.

I would stress that everyone is welcome to stay for the whole day, but we are aware that people have busy lives, so delegates are invited simply to attend for as long as they want/can. The FEDAGA management committee will attend for the whole day. I would also stress that we want the Review Day to be informal and above all, positive.

Please let me know as soon as possible who will be attending from your site.

Best wishes

Maggie Rodan (FEDAGA Secretary)

Saturday 13 October 2012

Attendees:
John M (Chair), Norma, Alec, George (Minutes)

1. Chair. Agreed John would chair the meeting.
2. Matters arising from the last minutes.
A) Communal Shed Roof. No further information. In addition a new lock for the door is required to replace the broken one. John M. will pursue the matter with Ian Woolard.
B) Scaffolding Planks. £21 received
C) Resurfacing of Main Path. No further information. John M. will ask Ian Woolard
3. Woodchips. Thanks to Rod for obtaining a supply.
4. Website Joan P. had produced an example of a newsletter. We thought it was a great idea. Joan has offered to produce it monthly and is looking for copy, photographs etc
5. FEDAGA AGM. This will take place on the 16th October. Everyone welcome. If you can’t make it and would like to raise an issue or ask a question get in touch with John Mc.
6. Site Rep. John M. has agreed to do this on a temporary basis. We’re still looking for a permanent site rep.
7. Date of next meeting –Since we still had a number of items outstanding agreed to meet again on Sat 10 November at 11am.

NOTICE TO ALL PLOT-HOLDERS
If you haven’t been sent a copy of these minutes & would like a regular copy in future, then please email me at rubiensk@waitrose.com

Saturday 13 October 2012 at 11.00

1. Apologies
2. Matters Arising

A) Communal Shed roof – progress?

B) Main driveway – update.

C) Scaffolding planks – update

3. Site Rep – we need one. Looking for volunteers or nominations

4. Craigentinny Allotments Website – looking for posts, info etc (Joan P.)

5. A.O.B.

6. Date of next Meeting