tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83853091883496579932024-03-13T20:14:17.265+00:00Mal's AllotmentA Gardening Calendar in an Edinburgh AllotmentMal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-84147154170747024402012-11-25T22:22:00.000+00:002012-11-25T22:22:56.897+00:00Mal's Allotment has moved...... to http://malsedallotment.blogspot.co.uk/<br />
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<a href="http://malsedallotment.blogspot.co.uk/">Mal's Edinburgh Allotment</a><br />
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This blog is now an archive.<br />
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Hope to see you at the new site. <br />
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Thanks to all contributors over the last three years .<br />
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It's like starting over...<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-36894049346254246652012-11-25T00:03:00.000+00:002012-11-25T00:11:23.704+00:00Well that's the limit!Looks like Google have had enough of running Blogger as a loss leader and have introduced charging. So anyone wanting to post pictures on their Blogger blog will have to pay in future. Would like to be mistaken.<br />
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I did so enjoy comparing notes with other vegetable growers! If it isn't just a glitch - Bye!<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-45076829075109093222012-11-21T19:59:00.002+00:002012-11-23T19:06:47.214+00:00Good News for the BBC...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been such a horrible time for the BBC that, fresh from their success with City of Edinburgh Council, FEDAGA have offered to step in.</div>
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They have got a bit carried away and already made a pilot show for broadcast to the <strike>plebs</strike> public. And here it is:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ukun8nc5Y8U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Who said history doesn't repeat itself?<br />
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Just a few notes:<br />
FEDAGA is Edinburgh's Allotment representative association.<br />
FEDAGA came up with the proposal to "ramp up" the rents from £30 to £100 in steps of £10 per year.<br />
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Members of the Committee have advocated to me that there are no such things as allotments anymore: they should be called "Leisure Gardens"; Rents should go up by several hundred pounds; Peppercorn rents should be consigned to history, and bizarrely. "People don't appreciate what they've got unless they pay for it". There is truly a collective madness abroad. And it's one that suits the Council down to the ground!!! Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-39255057671746295012012-11-19T22:21:00.002+00:002012-11-19T23:00:20.717+00:00It's not the Canaries, but...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDyfelVEUjw/UKqwf8FeQnI/AAAAAAAAC-k/un1HqlzoK_0/s1600/IMG_4100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDyfelVEUjw/UKqwf8FeQnI/AAAAAAAAC-k/un1HqlzoK_0/s640/IMG_4100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a picture from a Scottish tomato grower - mid November.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same tomatoes in October</td></tr>
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Scotland's not good for tomatoes... but if you are stubborn you can get some results. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's how they looked in June!</td></tr>
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-48970454594881720382012-11-17T11:38:00.000+00:002012-11-17T11:38:10.141+00:00Autumn Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I like autumn - Once plant production shuts down, you have so much more time... for planning.</div>
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There's a show of colour put on by nature that rivals any firework display::</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T8NPt7oG54/UKduESRq8WI/AAAAAAAAC9w/6dlj7gcoRNM/s1600/IMG_4089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3T8NPt7oG54/UKduESRq8WI/AAAAAAAAC9w/6dlj7gcoRNM/s640/IMG_4089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Autumn variagation</div>
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Then out of the blue this Calendula by our front gate put on a last gasp effort! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better late than never</td></tr>
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As the weeds have stopped growing too and the evenings are dark there's time to pore over the seed catalogues and to plan for next year. This year was wet, cold, plagued by slugs and bugs, blighted (literally) and, all in all, a disappointment.... But next year is immune from all these disasters as you flick through the brochures. <br />
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Stepping back from the dilemma of choosing which sort of courgette to grow next year, there are more general strategy decisions: Am I growing to save cash, to get that flavour that money can't buy (carrots), or that unavailable vegetable (turnip rooted chervil), to increase biodiversity with some heirloom varieties (that will probably have a very poor yield)? Grow native plants to encourage wildlife? Am I growing as wide a variety of different veg and experimenting just for the heck of it? Guess what, I'm planning to do all these things! And so far none of my plans have been thwarted!<br />
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Next to move from planning to preparation. An allotment keeps you going the whole year round.<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-79760955009938950102012-11-09T21:56:00.000+00:002012-11-09T21:56:12.815+00:00Trick or Treat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the rain and cold of 2012 I'm worried about 2013.</div>
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...so I'm hedging my bets.</div>
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The big question is: have the past 5 years been a downward trend that will continue with an even colder wetter year , or have the we bottomed out and are due for a sharp correction to restore the equilibrium?</div>
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What's your strategy? How are you preparing for the worst while hoping for the best? </div>
Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-90717751935153598932012-11-06T13:37:00.003+00:002012-11-06T13:37:43.665+00:00Extra, Extra, Read All About It<br />
Just time to say I made the paper today with the Edinburgh plotholders' plight:<br />
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See this link:<br />
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<a href="http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/latest-news/row-after-charges-for-city-allotments-triple-1-2616319" target="_blank">Edinburgh Evening News</a><br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-56651660691438358262012-11-03T19:07:00.000+00:002012-11-03T21:01:58.508+00:00Edinburgh Allotment FactsheetIn 2012 City of Edinburgh Council are renting out 1,037 allotment plots (and 21 raised beds).<br />
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The rent is £80 per plot (and £35 per raised bed)<br />
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Full rental income (plots x rent) = £83,695<br />
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The Council estimates its costs as £81,370.37 (up 18% from an actual figure of £69,102.99 in 2011)<br />
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Edinburgh Council offers a 50% rent discount to tenants on state benefit or over the age of 60.<br />
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Over half Edinburgh allotment tenants (541) qualify for the discount.<br />
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The resulting shortfall on the full rental is £21,550<br />
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The shortfall in the allotment budget - the amount the Council actually pay - is £16,745.87, nearly £5,000 less than the subsidy.<br />
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2013 Rents are being increased to £90 (£45 subsidised) yieding full rental income of £94,170<br />
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2014 rents are being increased to £100 (£50 subsidised) yielding full rental income of £104,660<br />
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Based on a projection of the 2012 figures, actual rents collected are expected to be £70,000 in 2013 and £77,700 in 2014, so the Council's annual 'top up' contribution will all but disappear, by how much will depend on how costs are kept under control. The cost of the subsidy will be £27,000 but this will be covered entirely by the higher rents paid by both the subsidised and non subsidised tenants.<br />
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When you consider that over 50% of Edinburgh allotment holders are on benefit or over 60 years old you realise that these are two groups whose income has not risen much in the last decade, yet their allotment rentals will have risen by 333% between 2005 and 2014<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-35346550618829281412012-10-23T09:03:00.002+01:002012-10-23T09:03:47.033+01:00One for Tanya - Celebrating Celeriac <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last year I tried growing celeriac, and all I got was straggly roots. See <a href="http://malsallotment.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/pull-other-one.html" target="_blank">here</a> So this year I was pleased when I got a celeriac this big:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_AWLOT8nos/UIXA9A6TuAI/AAAAAAAAC4I/bi9xqNuh04E/s1600/IMG_3985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_AWLOT8nos/UIXA9A6TuAI/AAAAAAAAC4I/bi9xqNuh04E/s640/IMG_3985.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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How big? Well not that big....<br />
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...but at least the stem swelled. Obviously they got enough water. Just have to ensure they get more nutrients next time.<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-60422267941175940872012-10-22T22:41:00.000+01:002012-10-22T22:41:33.816+01:00Is that all there is?Beans have been a waste of time this year - even runner beans! I grew them at the allotment and I grew them in raised beds but the results were like the weather - dismal!<br />
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Barlotti - Nul points<br />
Blue Lake - Nul points<br />
Canadian Wonder - Nul points<br />
Sungold - 1/2 point<br />
Painted Lady - One point<br />
Scarlet Emporer - Nul Points<br />
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Clearly I've been barking up the wrong pole this year. I'm tempted just to grow tatties and neeps next year (except that my neeps failed this year too and the tatties got blight!)<br />
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For the record I planted garlic, shallots and onions today. The new year has arrived!<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-61850596972171319922012-10-13T21:43:00.001+01:002012-10-14T10:17:46.827+01:00At the end of the year<div>
A visit to the plot today confirmed the inevitable The frost and wind have stopped the beans in their tracks and killed off the courgettes. That's it for this year!</div>
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2012 has been the wettest coldest year on record. Despite everything there were some results:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day in September...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud of this one </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The label says it all</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A forrest of fennel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1NjHJ03Ii0/UHnL6-g6eQI/AAAAAAAAC1g/2h99IDqAkJk/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1NjHJ03Ii0/UHnL6-g6eQI/AAAAAAAAC1g/2h99IDqAkJk/s640/IMG_3707.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barlotti bean pods - but no beans to speak of.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubz8Kp8DnNo/UHnMBsnNyVI/AAAAAAAAC1o/XnhbojoUT2E/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubz8Kp8DnNo/UHnMBsnNyVI/AAAAAAAAC1o/XnhbojoUT2E/s640/IMG_3714.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curly Kale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f45Wqvo57ZY/UHnMIW1UabI/AAAAAAAAC1w/jGwfVp_dabM/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f45Wqvo57ZY/UHnMIW1UabI/AAAAAAAAC1w/jGwfVp_dabM/s640/IMG_3727.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leek flowerhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RojbWOKGex0/UHnMc7GkezI/AAAAAAAAC14/cICjBIk-0y8/s1600/IMG_3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RojbWOKGex0/UHnMc7GkezI/AAAAAAAAC14/cICjBIk-0y8/s640/IMG_3780.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's tomatoes - all of them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNBY5QVuTXs/UHnMiQ7ZbdI/AAAAAAAAC2A/Vt9W6Cth7iE/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mNBY5QVuTXs/UHnMiQ7ZbdI/AAAAAAAAC2A/Vt9W6Cth7iE/s640/IMG_3767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset</td></tr>
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Jerusalem artichoke, cabbages, brussel sprouts, parsnips and leeks to look forward too. Roll on 2013.<br />
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Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-52288881191882566212012-10-07T08:51:00.001+01:002012-10-07T23:35:44.699+01:00Gardening 267 Golf 6In its first Allotment Strategy: Cultivating Communities(2002) City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) adopted the following comparability factors:<br />
<ul>
<li>The level of allotment rents in the rest of Scotland and the scale in England</li>
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<ul>
<li>costs of other outdoor recreational or leisure activities provided by the authority.</li>
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The second of these factors was underpinned by the court case of Harwood v Reigate & Banstead Borough Councils in the High Court Chancery Division when Mr Harwood challenged a 300% rent rise and succeeded. The judge ruled that as other amenity charges had not been raised in proportion this was a discriminatory practice and unlawful. The full transcript can be read <a href="http://www.baf.me.uk/harwood.pdf" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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So what has happened to allotment rents? Since 2005<br />
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<ul>
<li>Edinburgh allotment rents have gone up 267% and are set to £100 for 2014.</li>
<li>Glasgow rents meantime have tracked the RPI and are currently £33.50</li>
<li> In the same period the cost of an Edinburgh Leisure Card has <u>dropped </u>from £43 to £25 and the following increases made on the sports tariff:</li>
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<b>Gym<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 6%</b></div>
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<b>Swim <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 39%</b></div>
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<b>Tennis <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 8%</b></div>
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<b>Golf <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 6%</b></div>
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<b>Football<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> 32%</b></div>
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So inflation for Edinburgh golfers is 6%. For allotment gardeners it is 267% !<br />
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What happened to the comparability factors? They have been dropped in a dash for cash. Clearly allotment holders are an easy target. Once FEDAGA sided with the Council the rest of the 1,300 Edinburgh Alltment holders were deprived of a voice.</div>
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No one can be in any doubt that City of Edinburgh allotment rent rises are illegal. </div>
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*Note - this post has been updated to include data for the current year</div>
Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-55468919435969889702012-10-02T23:24:00.002+01:002012-10-02T23:24:44.238+01:00FEDAGA - FAIR RENT?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first column of this table shows the rent agreed by the Edinburgh wide allotment association FEDAGA (Federation of Edinburgh & District Allotment and Garden Association) and landlord City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for each year.</div>
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The last column shows what our rent would have been if it had tracked the RPI. (? - Of course we don't know the RPI for the next two years -although we do know our rent hike) Here's what a graphic comparison of the figures reveals:<br />
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The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract Regulations 1999 makes it automatically unfair for a landlord to impose an arbitrary increase in rent. Guidance by the OFT (Office of Fair Trading) on unfair terms in tenancy agreements indicates that unless increases are linked to such external factors as the RPI or evaluated by an objective person independent of the landlord they may be deemed to be unfair. It does not foresee that the representative body of the tenants might collude with the landlord in putting up rents! Clearly an oversight.Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-8418869346352419592012-09-23T08:48:00.001+01:002012-09-23T09:25:09.980+01:00Edinburgh Allotments - FEDAGA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
FEDAGA is the representative body for Edinburgh allotment holders. Every Edinburgh allotment tenant (about 1,300 in total) is a paying member.</div>
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You might be surprised that FEDAGA has suggested to City of Edinburgh Council that rents are INCREASED and that they dispense with funding the scheme for funding a 50% subsidy to the elderly and unemployed.</div>
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Here is the FEDAGA document that proves both these:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avRC-y4AeYw/UF63_h6ULJI/AAAAAAAACxg/pmktoOo79G0/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-avRC-y4AeYw/UF63_h6ULJI/AAAAAAAACxg/pmktoOo79G0/s640/IMG_3657.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7BOqqDUGQE/UF64Gshx6HI/AAAAAAAACxo/Tp7JiinLMkQ/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T7BOqqDUGQE/UF64Gshx6HI/AAAAAAAACxo/Tp7JiinLMkQ/s640/IMG_3660.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The "Analysis" makes it clear that the Acting Chairman and Show Secretary knew what he was doing when he drafted this:<br />
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It states<br />
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<b>1. This level of rents would cover the Council's costs of administering the allotments and <u>generate a surplus</u>.</b><br />
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<b>2. The above surplus, coupled with savings made by elimination the Councils own proposed "subsidy" deficit, <u>generates £57,725 of capital</u> over 5 years."</b><br />
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That's the FEDAGA Committee proposing to take £57,725 out of the pockets of FEDAGA members!!!<br />
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To add to the irony, there is a limit of one plot per person, so the justification of new plots cannot benefit those existing members whose cash is being allocated for that purpose.<br />
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No surprisingly FEDAGAS proposals were accepted by the Council and the program has reached the £80 level this year and will rise to £100.<br />
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I don't think the members realise what their executive has done in their name.<br />
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If you are an Edinburgh allotment holder you need to be aware of what has been done in your name - It's going to be costing you £60 extra on your rent every year!<br />
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-64623217086413784332012-09-17T18:28:00.001+01:002012-09-17T18:39:48.635+01:00BOGOF - City of Edinburgh Council Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't you wonder when the supermarkets offer a 50% discount - Isn't the price of one double what it used to be?</div>
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In a similar vein, City of Edinburgh Council offer 50% subsidized allotment plots for those people on pensions and benefits. But they also insist that the allotment pay for themselves. The two goals are incompatible.</div>
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By the Council's logic, because 1/4 of the rental income is missing as a result of the "subsidy" everyone's rent has to rise by 34% (including the subsidized rate) to make good the shortfall. So the 50% subsidized rate is only a 16% cut at the break even point where income equals outgoings. This is the road we are travelling down in Edinburgh. The attractive subsidy just comes from putting up rents.</div>
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Here are the figures:</div>
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City of Edinburgh Council collects rents on 1,019 allotment plots.</div>
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506 are full rentals (£80), 513 are concessions (£40). So the split is just about 50:50. </div>
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If everyone paid the full rate the full 2012 rental income (£80 per plot) would be £81,520. </div>
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Instead as roughly half of the rentals are at the subsidized rate the rental income is in fact £61,000</div>
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The Council calculates their actual allotment costs for 2012 as £73,337 (revised up from their initial estimate of £63,654) . </div>
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These costs are greater than the actual rental amount received (£61,000 as above) but less than</div>
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the rental income plus the the subsidy due from the Council (£81,520 as above).<br />
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So inclusive of the Council's contribution Edinburgh Allotments already run at a profit. And yet rents are going up £10 next year and another £10 in 2014 up to £100. By that stage City of Edinburgh Council, having washed their hands of financing the subsidized rates, will be making a fat profit from the allotments. The allotment holders will be saddled with funding the subsidy and paying the Council a new tax.<br />
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But this is not going to be a shock to FEDAGA, the organisation supposedly representing the interest of allotment holders in Edinburgh, because the FEDAGA committee came up with this scheme specifically to generate a profit for the Council. Their cockeyed justification is that by making a profit from allotments the Council will then have a capital fund to purchase new sites. Effectively the burden of the allotment expansion scheme fall on the existing allotment holders (who cannot benefit there being a limit of one allotment per person). How this madness won the day is easy to see from the Council's point of view. From any other angle it is completely crazy logic. You can buy a lot of veg for £100, and you have to fork out quite a bit to run an allotment, in terms of sweat, time and money. The rent rises are just not fair. Something to discuss at our site AGM this weekend, along with the flooding problem!</div>
Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-36866792514724683222012-09-14T21:36:00.001+01:002012-09-14T21:48:35.767+01:00No watering this year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The one area that has benefited from all the rain this year is our normally neglected front garden. It is north facing onto a busy street and is the one area that is reserved for ornamentals. Ordinarily I am reluctant to water as I have to cart water through the house or trail the hose through it, never a good idea as you soon discover if you have a leak. But this year there has been no need to water at all! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No water tub</td></tr>
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Aside from the tubs we have a couple of hydrangeas, and they <u>love</u> water. They have rewarded us this year with a giant flower show:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Hydrangeas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All puffed up!</td></tr>
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So there's always a silver lining, if you look for it.Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-64728400166437848342012-09-09T23:57:00.000+01:002012-09-10T19:21:47.718+01:00Slugging It Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Late season review - </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruity</td></tr>
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There's a sense of panic here as the days are noticeably shorter and the nights are cooler. Will the tomatoes ripen? or the blueberries?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Bluberries</td></tr>
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It's time to start picking carrots. Two nets have produced after resowing, but when I weeded the third there was just one carrot!<br />
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Thank goodness the runner beans are producing at last!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxq2xCldK2E/UEzhaexZL6I/AAAAAAAACt4/iI2FVF8UPFk/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hxq2xCldK2E/UEzhaexZL6I/AAAAAAAACt4/iI2FVF8UPFk/s640/IMG_3585.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runner Beans - At Last</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf9f0MXvtoU/UEzhnyr8G5I/AAAAAAAACuI/Hx_7OkmbmPo/s1600/IMG_3584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf9f0MXvtoU/UEzhnyr8G5I/AAAAAAAACuI/Hx_7OkmbmPo/s640/IMG_3584.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerusalem artechoke</td></tr>
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Perhaps I planted the jerusalem artechoke just a bit too close to the beans, but this is one crop that has thrived in the conditions this year.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXBRExs_wGs/UEzhIxVa5VI/AAAAAAAACtw/yMjLouzFEmI/s1600/IMG_3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXBRExs_wGs/UEzhIxVa5VI/AAAAAAAACtw/yMjLouzFEmI/s640/IMG_3589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brassicas</td></tr>
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My 100 brassicas have reduced to around 90 as the early sprouting broccoli and most the cauliflowers bolted. Today I uprooted the lost causes and weeded the rest.<br />
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For the record here's the potato patched ravished by blight I cut the tops off a couple of weeks ago. No one escaped.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0mTyXhvj_I/UEzhhxVrx8I/AAAAAAAACuA/ZD7VYUH2_hc/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0mTyXhvj_I/UEzhhxVrx8I/AAAAAAAACuA/ZD7VYUH2_hc/s320/IMG_3588.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potatoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUpYJ1zJC1Y/UEzh5f6y8wI/AAAAAAAACuY/kZMRqMqn2tI/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUpYJ1zJC1Y/UEzh5f6y8wI/AAAAAAAACuY/kZMRqMqn2tI/s320/IMG_3591.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alliums</td></tr>
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The alliums are looking a bit sorry, but next year's leeks are in good shape for next spring.<br />
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The slugs - no horror pictures, but they have been the biggest threat this year. I would have had a decent crop of late strawberries - but the slugs got there first. The few in the first picture were all that ewere salvageable. But look on the bright side. At least I never had to water this year!Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-49834545706656873542012-08-28T20:59:00.000+01:002012-08-28T21:00:31.095+01:00Weeds 0 Mal 1 (After Extra Time)What to do with that extra Bank Holiday day? Given the state of the plot there was no question: Weeding. I started at on end and just got on with it. Of course it rained incessantly. After three hours I had progressed 6 metres along the bed through raspberries, strawberries, runner beans, jerusalem artichoke and french beans I have now discovered that my average weeding rate is 10 minutes per square metre or 6 square metres per hour. Given the overall plot size is 180 square metres, if it was all planted, it would take me 30 hours to hand weed the whole plot! Crikey! Thank goodness for potatoes!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PshSlObuuI/UD0hsYCo4YI/AAAAAAAACss/YkkoUvK4PWA/s1600/IMG_3420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PshSlObuuI/UD0hsYCo4YI/AAAAAAAACss/YkkoUvK4PWA/s640/IMG_3420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the shed - in the rain</td></tr>
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And now something for Tany:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H2mwcPkPYI/UD0iYscGXDI/AAAAAAAACs8/AqA6IdLFt2s/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_H2mwcPkPYI/UD0iYscGXDI/AAAAAAAACs8/AqA6IdLFt2s/s640/IMG_3515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's the reserve celeriac!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5mZ0oST-Y0/UD0idxgyusI/AAAAAAAACtE/8slgriFKq5A/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5mZ0oST-Y0/UD0idxgyusI/AAAAAAAACtE/8slgriFKq5A/s640/IMG_3518.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-48667047962729300442012-08-05T16:23:00.001+01:002012-08-05T16:25:32.525+01:00Blue GoldIt's taken two years but the first blueberries have arrived:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aG2gGeHtb4M/UB6GQgLwwqI/AAAAAAAACnk/BdL5qFHyKlc/s1600/IMG_3457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aG2gGeHtb4M/UB6GQgLwwqI/AAAAAAAACnk/BdL5qFHyKlc/s640/IMG_3457.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Blueberries</td></tr>
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Here's how they look today:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viZabnjNEuQ/UB6GL7wMrYI/AAAAAAAACnc/EPsqG2ZvTfg/s1600/IMG_3427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-viZabnjNEuQ/UB6GL7wMrYI/AAAAAAAACnc/EPsqG2ZvTfg/s640/IMG_3427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushes today</td></tr>
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It all started as a big disappointment as the three "bushes" I ordered turned out to be more like twigs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mtwuy0QghoA/UB5-xOD2lOI/AAAAAAAACmU/ALVcRyQaPs4/s1600/21-03-10+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mtwuy0QghoA/UB5-xOD2lOI/AAAAAAAACmU/ALVcRyQaPs4/s640/21-03-10+044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushes - or twigs - Day 1 21-3-2010</td></tr>
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Their first winter was spent especially well protected </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zwKLXYWYTAk/UB6Dtn9zhAI/AAAAAAAACnU/gEXhw8y0hD0/s640/ice+052.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter 2010/11</td></tr>
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Even before they arrived I had spent a lot of time and money preparing the ground for them. I had a paddling pool/sand pit that the children had grown out of. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig_yZcZZW2Y/UB5_OV72_NI/AAAAAAAACmc/sRtfyJDiQEI/s1600/Blueberry+Bed+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ig_yZcZZW2Y/UB5_OV72_NI/AAAAAAAACmc/sRtfyJDiQEI/s640/Blueberry+Bed+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the ground Autumn 2009</td></tr>
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This was buried two foot down<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AL78fRhWWiI/UB5_T9NrTlI/AAAAAAAACmk/Ar8jSlwZ9wY/s1600/Blueberry+Bed+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AL78fRhWWiI/UB5_T9NrTlI/AAAAAAAACmk/Ar8jSlwZ9wY/s640/Blueberry+Bed+046.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the Ground 2</td></tr>
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...and filled with ericaceous compost- about 5 bags worth in the end.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyVvkCUBXjU/UB5_a6z99XI/AAAAAAAACms/eL-XTcXvjCA/s1600/Blueberry+Bed+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyVvkCUBXjU/UB5_a6z99XI/AAAAAAAACms/eL-XTcXvjCA/s640/Blueberry+Bed+051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the Ground 3</td></tr>
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At one point it looked as if it was all for nothing:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter 2011/12</td></tr>
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but they bounced back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xx6kAxLcZ1c/UB6AwBW9J6I/AAAAAAAACm0/OFrpLdzGCZk/s1600/autumn+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xx6kAxLcZ1c/UB6AwBW9J6I/AAAAAAAACm0/OFrpLdzGCZk/s640/autumn+039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One year Old </td></tr>
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Now, two years on, things are looking rosey<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the vine</td></tr>
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Unfortunately given the recent inundation we can't have the confidence to eat the crop, but at least we are providing some snail food!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snailfood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-57168338733220691842012-08-01T23:01:00.000+01:002012-08-01T23:14:03.010+01:00Blowing Bubbles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What other blog takes you from shit to champagne in successive posts? </div>
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Back here: <a href="http://malsallotment.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/painting-clouds-with-sunshine.html">June 24th</a> I made some elderflower champagne. I bottled it a week later and left it for a generous 4 weeks before sampling. Would it be bubbly???</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRIFtKwOwDo/UBmkKJauetI/AAAAAAAACkg/qpnZtIEdneE/s1600/IMG_3406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRIFtKwOwDo/UBmkKJauetI/AAAAAAAACkg/qpnZtIEdneE/s640/IMG_3406.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Would it hell!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjmLvXo-VwI/UBmkOdy9XRI/AAAAAAAACko/Vl4crAT5x0Y/s1600/IMG_3411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjmLvXo-VwI/UBmkOdy9XRI/AAAAAAAACko/Vl4crAT5x0Y/s640/IMG_3411.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Something suitable to celebrate Olympic gold.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTT6LlTgR7g/UBmkYTjG4NI/AAAAAAAACkw/bQDlTJ4VlC0/s1600/IMG_3413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTT6LlTgR7g/UBmkYTjG4NI/AAAAAAAACkw/bQDlTJ4VlC0/s640/IMG_3413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...or any other excuse<br />
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It tastes really refreshing, and the elderflower aroma is so delicate. It seems you <b><i>can</i></b> bottle it!Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-87084659936641019442012-07-25T23:39:00.000+01:002012-07-25T23:39:32.391+01:00The Raw TruthIf you think I've gone a bit quiet lately here's the reason:<div>
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Here's a view of Lady Road Allotments:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBmQWZPwB8I/UBBn_wVlHGI/AAAAAAAACkI/GHa7I5_JVno/s1600/Lady+Road+Burn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBmQWZPwB8I/UBBn_wVlHGI/AAAAAAAACkI/GHa7I5_JVno/s640/Lady+Road+Burn.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Burn at Lady Road Allotment Site</td></tr>
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From the left it is: railway embankment - allotments - path - burn(stream) - shelf - wall - cemetery (beyond the barbed wire)<br />
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The problem arises when the burn rises:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pod3bDhuTI/UBBoD1zb5fI/AAAAAAAACkQ/AqoLn-rTBYs/s1600/Lady+Rd+Flood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Pod3bDhuTI/UBBoD1zb5fI/AAAAAAAACkQ/AqoLn-rTBYs/s640/Lady+Rd+Flood.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When to start running...</td></tr>
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Unfortunately it's just a little more complicated. There's a sewer pipe that runs along under the "shelf". When the burn floods the sewer overflows into it and so over the plots.<br />
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Unfortunately this happened again a couple of weeks ago. Since then there has been a disturbing smell and plenty of evidence that at least some people ignore the advice not to flush feminine hygiene items down the toilet.<br />
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After internet research came up with the following list of hazards associated with sewage in water I decided to ignore the Council's advice to wash produce before eating (which they revised to washing and cooking) and not to eat any at all. The Council think I am being unreasonable for asking for a rent rebate!<br />
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It's a big disappointment, just when the food was nearly ready for harvesting<br />
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Diseases Involving Sewage<br />
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Campylobacteriosis<br />
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The infection is caused by the bacterium Campylobacter. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include bloody diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever within 2 to 5 days after exposure to the organism. In the immunocompromised, Campylobacter occasionally spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.<br />
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Cryptosporidiosis<br />
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A disease caused by the microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. It is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it very resistant to chlorine disinfection. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and throughout the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, upset stomach, and a slight fever.<br />
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Escherichia coli Diarrhea<br />
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Also known as "diarrheogenic E. coli," a disease caused by Escherichia coli bacteria of many different serotypes, including E.coli O157:H7. Escherichia coli can be transmitted by contaminated water or by person-to-person via the fecal-oral route. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. In 2-7% of those who acquire E.coli O157:H7 infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome may develop, causing kidney failure and sometimes death. This syndrome occurs particularly in children under the age of 5, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Some E. coli serotypes are thought to cause chronic diarrhea in HIV-infected patients.<br />
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Encephalitis<br />
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Two acute, inflammatory viral diseases (St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Encephalitis) are transmitted via the bite of infected mosquitoes, primarily of the Culex species. Culex mosquitoes prefer to lay their eggs in heavily polluted water such as that contaminated by sewage. These viruses are amplified during periods of adult mosquito blood-feeding by continuous transmission between mosquito vectors and bird reservoir hosts. Infectious mosquitoes carry viruses in their salivary glands and infect susceptible birds during blood-feeding. Some birds will sustain the virus in their blood stream for one to four days subsequent to exposure, after which they develop life-long immunity. A sufficient number of mosquitoes must feed on an infected bird to ensure that some survive the period during which the blood meal is digested to feed again on another susceptible bird. People are not known to develop infectious levels of the virus, and thus cannot propagate the reservoir-host infection cycle. Most people exhibit no symptoms, and the diseases are of short duration. However, in severe infections symptoms can include high fever with head and body aches, stiff neck, muscle weakness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions and, in the most severe cases, coma or paralysis. The illness can be severe for infants, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. No vaccine exists for encephalitis.<br />
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Gastroenteritis<br />
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Viral gastroenteritis, also known as "stomach flu," is an infection caused by any of a number of viruses including rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, astroviruses, Norwalk virus, and a group of Norwalk-like viruses. However, it is not caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps. Generally, symptoms begin 1 to 2 days after infection, and my last for 1 to 10 days, depending on the virus involved. The illness can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea.<br />
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A disease caused by the one-celled microscopic parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time. Giardiasi is one of the most common waterborne diseases in the United States. The parasite is found in every region of the United States and the world. While some people exhibit no symptoms, most experience diarrhea, loose or watery stools, stomach cramps, and upset stomach.<br />
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Hepatitis A<br />
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A liver disease caused by the virus Hepatitis A. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, and fever. Adults will exhibit symptoms of Hepatitis A more often than children. About 15% of those infected will have prolonged or relapsing symptoms over a 6-9 month period. One-third of Americans are immune to Hepatitis A because of past infection.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Leptospirosis</span><br />
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A disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. While some people exhibit no symptoms, clinical manifestations include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. Left untreated, Leptospirosis will cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and in rare cases, death.<br />
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Methaemoglobinaemia<br />
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Methaemoglobinaemia (also known as "blue-baby syndrome") is a poisoning that can occur in infants during the first few months of life due to ingestion of well water high in nitrates. Improperly designed septic systems installed in sandy soils are known to cause nitrate contamination of groundwater. Infants who breast-feed can be poisoned if their mothers drink water high in nitrates. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blueness of the skin, and death can occur within a few days. An infant's stomach has a different pH than that of adults and older children. Poisoning occurs when the infant's stomach converts nitrate to nitrite, which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of its blood. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established a maximum contaminant level for nitrate in drinking water of 10 milligrams per liter, expressed as Nitrogen, or 45 milligrams per litre, expressed as Nitrate. Boiling of water does not remove nitrates; it only increases the concentration.<br />
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Poliomyelitis<br />
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A disease caused by the Poliomylitis virus. While most exposed people exhibit no symptoms, some experience sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea. However, less than 1% of those infected suffer paralysis. Most recover completely, and muscle function returns to some degree. However, any weakness or paralysis that remains 12 months after infection is usually permanent.<br />
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Salmonellosis<br />
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A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella, the most common of which are Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, the disease can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through vomiting or diarrhea. Left untreated, Salmonella can spread from the intestines to the blood stream, to other sites, and can cause death.<br />
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Shigellosis<br />
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Shigellosis (also known as "Bacillary Dysentery") is caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri account for most of the Shigellosis in the United States. While some people experience no symptoms, most develop bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after exposure. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days, but it can be severe for infants, young children, and those who are disabled, elderly, or immunocompromised, if they cannot drink enough fluids to replace what they lose through diarrhea. A severe infection with high fever may lead to seizures in children less than 2 years old.<br />
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Paratyphoid Fever<br />
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A disease caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella paratyphi. Symptoms are similar to that of Typhoid Fever, but are milder, with fewer deaths.<br />
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Typhoid Fever<br />
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A disease caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, which lives only in the bloodstream and intestinal tract of humans. Symptoms include a sustained fever as high as 104ºF, weakness, cough, stomach pains, headache, and loss of appetite. Some patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots. Persons given antibiotics usually begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, and death rarely occurs. Fever can continue for weeks and months in those who do not receive antibiotics. Of those not treated 20% will die from complications related to the infection. A small number of people, known as carriers, recover from Typhoid Fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Both ill persons and carriers shed Salmonella typhi in their stools. Even after symptoms recede, a person can still carry Salmonella typhi, in which case the illness could return or be passed on to others. For that reason it is imperative that patients keep taking antibiotics for the full length of time prescribed by their doctor. Those suffering from Typhoid Fever must not prepare food or serve it to others.<br />
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Yersiniosis<br />
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A disease caused by a family of rod-shaped bacteria called Yersinia. Yersiniosis occurs most often in young children. It causes a variety of symptoms depending on the age of the person infected. Symptoms in children include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody. In older children and adults, symptoms include right-sided abdominal pain, fever, and occasionally skin rash or joint pain. Symptoms typically develop 4 to 7 days after exposure and may last 1 to 3 weeks or longer. Most infections are uncomplicated and resolve completely. In a few cases the bacteria can spread to the bloodstream.<br />
<br /></div>Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-19056465581351383942012-07-22T13:41:00.002+01:002012-07-22T13:41:55.220+01:00Galloping Garlic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So here it is - my first garlic harvest</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1QaeNVTEBE/UAvqmkySZfI/AAAAAAAACjM/9B9mOT5UmHk/s1600/IMG_3364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C1QaeNVTEBE/UAvqmkySZfI/AAAAAAAACjM/9B9mOT5UmHk/s640/IMG_3364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I dug them up a week ago and stored them under cover to dry off. Today I cleaned up the bulbs.<br />
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King of the crop has to be the one "Elephant" garlic:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4LfLy9cTuc/UAvqr9piurI/AAAAAAAACjU/kj_MYAgNjAQ/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X4LfLy9cTuc/UAvqr9piurI/AAAAAAAACjU/kj_MYAgNjAQ/s640/IMG_3366.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Some bulbs had started to split:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfQy7pbzgXE/UAvq4sC50wI/AAAAAAAACjs/XRIM5O3rFlY/s1600/IMG_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RfQy7pbzgXE/UAvq4sC50wI/AAAAAAAACjs/XRIM5O3rFlY/s640/IMG_3356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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but most were well shaped. The sand I added to the planting holes was still in evidence. I will definitely be doing the same in future years.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d16OWTPk2ms/UAvq74KPqBI/AAAAAAAACj0/6a0u3xLGNsQ/s1600/IMG_3360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d16OWTPk2ms/UAvq74KPqBI/AAAAAAAACj0/6a0u3xLGNsQ/s640/IMG_3360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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All in all a good experience in a terrible year.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa8_g7-uReM/UAvrCL0_y7I/AAAAAAAACj8/kvJ3T70r4zs/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa8_g7-uReM/UAvrCL0_y7I/AAAAAAAACj8/kvJ3T70r4zs/s640/IMG_3354.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-46632908682455171492012-07-07T21:18:00.003+01:002012-07-07T21:54:30.540+01:00Before the Flood<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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It's been raining all day and so I have decided to post a record of the state of a week ago. I did a video but have given up after a week of trying to upload it... so here are the stills.<br />
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(I've missed out the alliums as they covered in the last post - and the soft fruit too - aside from Blueberries)</div>
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Here's the beanage</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_IcSIAp4PI/T_iWUTq78ZI/AAAAAAAACfk/nNvPJFGGKvI/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_IcSIAp4PI/T_iWUTq78ZI/AAAAAAAACfk/nNvPJFGGKvI/s640/IMG_2996.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad Beans, Runner Beans, French Beans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uFE_7yiXxc/T_iW_iRqWKI/AAAAAAAACgM/uwh5Ee_XHeA/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uFE_7yiXxc/T_iW_iRqWKI/AAAAAAAACgM/uwh5Ee_XHeA/s640/IMG_2997.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Beans hanging on - note the slug pellets</td></tr>
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and the Brassicas:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fO2YT_X6Lkg/T_iXQCrQx7I/AAAAAAAACgU/hIm85pYYQY4/s1600/IMG_2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fO2YT_X6Lkg/T_iXQCrQx7I/AAAAAAAACgU/hIm85pYYQY4/s640/IMG_2991.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weedy Brassicas</td></tr>
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I have now removed any free radical potatoes that were growing amidst them!<br />
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Here's this year's crop:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmbtnAPq7HM/T_iWa3KBl9I/AAAAAAAACfs/F7SCqLZ7Xq0/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VmbtnAPq7HM/T_iWa3KBl9I/AAAAAAAACfs/F7SCqLZ7Xq0/s640/IMG_2994.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well the potatoes are lovin it!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3321UsRQXc0/T_iWgyvE76I/AAAAAAAACf0/RgZtTjzynp4/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3321UsRQXc0/T_iWgyvE76I/AAAAAAAACf0/RgZtTjzynp4/s640/IMG_2993.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot Domes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zUzaHWb7y0c/T_iWoW5fP1I/AAAAAAAACf8/QZqj4hiBPoQ/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zUzaHWb7y0c/T_iWoW5fP1I/AAAAAAAACf8/QZqj4hiBPoQ/s640/IMG_2995.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weedy Peas</td></tr>
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Here's a crop that has loved the conditions recently:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0cit_xSclc/T_iWti5E-oI/AAAAAAAACgE/FsCs2r4licE/s1600/IMG_3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0cit_xSclc/T_iWti5E-oI/AAAAAAAACgE/FsCs2r4licE/s640/IMG_3001.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries</td></tr>
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<br />Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-81552690927509930482012-07-03T21:25:00.000+01:002012-07-03T21:30:11.094+01:00All about Alliums<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Sunday I planted out the maincrop leeks: Musselburgh<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTg_qkYyLmo/T_NNB6V0TLI/AAAAAAAACbw/FclgsTL_m70/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTg_qkYyLmo/T_NNB6V0TLI/AAAAAAAACbw/FclgsTL_m70/s640/IMG_2988.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maincrop Leeks</td></tr>
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A neighbour quized me about filling a watering can in this weather, but you need to puddle in the transplanted leeks to settle their roots into the dibbed hole.</div>
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Here's all I've got to show for my onions sown from seed. They may be "spring onions" by autumn!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrCMifJxL4Y/T_NNQZRWTTI/AAAAAAAACcA/jY_g372Khzg/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rrCMifJxL4Y/T_NNQZRWTTI/AAAAAAAACcA/jY_g372Khzg/s640/IMG_2989.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions from seed</td></tr>
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The garlic is still growing but has rust. While this won't do much harm to the garlic, I fear the rust will spread to the leeks earlier than it otherwise would.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UELlgi9XaJc/T_NOcsKzt9I/AAAAAAAACcg/g_e_w7YF3Xk/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UELlgi9XaJc/T_NOcsKzt9I/AAAAAAAACcg/g_e_w7YF3Xk/s640/IMG_2987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic - a bit rusty</td></tr>
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A nice surprise has been the Red Baron onions planted as sets in spring. Here I have to own up that I bought them to sow in autumn but never got around to doing that until the spring. Despite the lack of attention they have done surprisingly well. Again there is a worry that these are developing white rot which could spread. Given the weather conditions it would be amazing if they didn't succumb to some rot or other. I'm half tempted just to pull them all now and dry them off indoors.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCf9UFA62AU/T_NNVw79toI/AAAAAAAACcI/3gwN1wOt4MY/s1600/IMG_2986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCf9UFA62AU/T_NNVw79toI/AAAAAAAACcI/3gwN1wOt4MY/s640/IMG_2986.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Baron from sets</td></tr>
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For good measure here are the early leeks. I think the slugs got most of them next to the path. It will be worth it if we get a few earlier leeks this autumn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9Ua2ArVd7o/T_NO6weRZcI/AAAAAAAACco/PB8E4Z_KjxE/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9Ua2ArVd7o/T_NO6weRZcI/AAAAAAAACco/PB8E4Z_KjxE/s640/IMG_2990.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Leeks - Blue Solaise</td></tr>
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For years I've restricted my alliums to leeks after disappointment with white rot. This year I've beeen a bit more adventurous. I'm just hoping it's going to prove to be worth it!<br />
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Meantime back in the kitchen, it was time to bottle up the Elderflower Champagne:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0qKzeevSKM/T_NPGEvwgiI/AAAAAAAACcw/2o6t7DpIs2Q/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x0qKzeevSKM/T_NPGEvwgiI/AAAAAAAACcw/2o6t7DpIs2Q/s640/IMG_3002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottling the Elderflower Champagne</td></tr>
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It's now in the coal cellar for a couple of weeks. I hope there aren't any explosions!<br />
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Tany. I don't really know what it tastes like because I've never made it before, but I'm hoping it will be nice and flowery as well a lemony, with plenty of fizz. I'll let you know if it lives up to expectations.</div>Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385309188349657993.post-60016875512802969732012-06-24T11:21:00.000+01:002012-06-24T11:37:49.703+01:00Painting the Clouds With SunshineGuess what I've been up to today? <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VaTlrVONxE/T-bm_MSnaKI/AAAAAAAACaQ/BnuCQ0iznnc/s1600/IMG_2958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7VaTlrVONxE/T-bm_MSnaKI/AAAAAAAACaQ/BnuCQ0iznnc/s640/IMG_2958.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It has been so miserable lately with plenty of this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsnkBQvJ3GM/T-bnZrsf4yI/AAAAAAAACaY/1Se7u5CdUE8/s1600/IMG_2924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsnkBQvJ3GM/T-bnZrsf4yI/AAAAAAAACaY/1Se7u5CdUE8/s640/IMG_2924.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battered Tomato House</td></tr>
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.. and this:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Enemy</td></tr>
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Today the skies are leaden once more, but during a dry spell this morning I picked some elderflower heads<br />
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and made up my Elderflower Champagne mix.<br />
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It will be a week before I bottle it up and another two weeks before it is ready, but I'm pretty euphoric today already because I got around to doing this this year! </div>
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Now just to prove that you can grow strawberries in Scotland :</div>
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These are the first of my first earlies "Honeoye". It's so nice to get strawberries before Wimbledon starts. I have to admit there were some earlier - but the slugs got to them before I did. I can see I will have to pick them half ripe and ripen them at home if I am to get any before the slugs and snails. I do hope the sun makes an appearance before my other three slightly later varieties all get gobbled up! That would be a repeat of last year. But I'm shrugging off such feelings of desperation today. I'm about as optimistic about getting a strawberry crop this year as I am that the England football team will still be in the European Championships tomorrow!Mal's Allotmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12349857165496487250noreply@blogger.com3