DIG IN - THE BLOG

A Big Thank You!

2012-01-26T11:23:00.003Z

As some of you may already know, sadly, funding has now come to an end for our DIG FOR LIFE project worker, Lauren Kinnersley. 2011 was a fabulous year in terms of what we were able to achieve at the allotment in encouraging more groups to visit the site and become involved. This has been largely a result of successful funding bids, the efforts of Lauren, combined with valued support and enthusiasm from the Dig In volunteers.

We still hope to continue working with Lauren in some capacity in the future as funding permits and on behalf of the volunteers, management committee and everyone connected with the Dig In project, wish her every success for the future. We will certainly miss you Lauren.

Although project funding may be more limited this year, we are determined to continue our success in involving and encouraging more of the local community to encompass a healthier lifestyle, using whatever resources are available. We are still going forward with our plans for a composting toilet on the site, and we are currently creating a raised bed area to provide a safe growing space for children accompanied by a childminder group.

Annual Tidy up

2012-01-15T23:16:00.005Z

Steptoe and Son meet the Dig In storage container, or otherwise known as the annual Dig In stock take and tidy up.

Several hardy Dig In volunteers braved the cold weather on Saturday and made a terrific job of tidying the storage unit and removing several large bags of accumulated rubbish. We can now actually see some of the floor. We didn't have time to clean the polytunnel, but that will be the next task on the Spring cleaning list. Chris Davis took this photo to mark the event.

2012-01-02T16:20:00.003Z

Hello all

Happy new year- the start of another growing season is upon us but before we embark, let’s have a recap on 2011.

A very successful year in the amount and variety of produce grown but more importantly, DIG IN has reached out to many local local families, adults and children and local groups. Pulp Friction took over the fruit beds and with the fantastic commitment from the Swain family, they developed the wilderness into a wonderful productive and creative space. Our memorial tree to Chris, who’s passing left a sadness to the year, was planted in November and stands in the orchard. Thanks to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make DIG IN’s success ongoing. Thanks to Lauren- the DIG FOR LIFE project worker, who has worked above and beyond expectations.

Thanks for everyone who has supported us and been involved or attended events, cook and eats or workshops at the site. Apple and Pumpkin day alone drew in over 250 local families. Thanks for the ongoing support shown by Stapleford Town Council. 2011 saw the very first DIG IN wins at the Stapleford and district allotments show in August. We hope to expand on the comedy veg and grapes in 2012! A complete report on the activities of 2011 will be available at the DIG IN AGM in May 2012.More details will be posted on the website and blog nearer the date.

DIG IN can only be as good as the people in it. More volunteers are needed to be part of the decision making and running of DIG IN, to work on site at the sessions and be part of the management committee. We need your help to plan and run the events and workshops and we need your ideas to keep DIG IN part of the local community of Stapleford. The demands on your time can be as minimal as you want but the rewards are huge. If you are interested in sharing your skills and ideas, or interested in developing new skills (writing press releases, funding bids, treasurer/ secretary skills/DIY skills/events planning etc), being involved with DIG IN may give you more than just growing experience. We are taking time over the winter to plan for site growing and the activities for 2012, so if you have any ideas you think will work well at DIG IN please let us know.

In 2012, we will continue with our growing activities on site, funding permitting we will hold events open to the public and run workshops to encourage an interest and knowledge in a variety of food and environmental interests. We aim to secure funding for worker time which will enable groups to have support for onsite growing sessions. We aim to reach more local people and spread the word about how fantastic it is to grow your own veggies.

Breaking news... early 2012 will also see an onsite development of an eco toilet. Many thanks to all involved from funding, planning, negotiating and commitment to seeing the build happen. Watch this space...

Happy New Growing Year to all from DIG IN.

Chris Swain Memorial

2011-11-27T12:21:00.009Z

A dedication ceremony was held at Dig In on Saturday 26th November in remembrance of Chris Swain who sadly passed away this year. Chris was very dedicated, both to his family and the allotment, and he is missed by all of us, not only for his kindness and generosity, but also for his tireless contribution to both Pulp Friction and the Dig In Community Allotment.

In honour of his memory, a pear tree was planted in the Dig In orchard, along with a dedication plaque.

Pumpkin Day Winners!

2011-11-01T18:37:00.006Z

Congratulations to the following pumpkin exhibitors at the Annual Dig In Pumpkin Day event-

The Bradburn family - Largest pumpkin award (weighing in at 34.93 kgs).

Chris Davis' daughters - Joint winners for best dressed pumpkin.

Mystery exhibitor (unknown) - Strangest looking pumpkin.

Gary and Claire Swain - Honory prize for their misshapen pumpkin.

The event was one of our best attended so far, with around 180 adults and children (including volunteer helpers). A total of £124.67 was raised through a raffle and donations on the day, which will help towards seed, materials, tools and repairs for the next season.

Many thanks for all who attended, making Pumpkin Day a huge success. We also have some video footage of the event;

Pumpkin Day

2011-10-29T18:53:00.001+01:00

Today was very busy and loads of things was going off from carving pumpkin's, pumpkin soups, bird feeders, facepaint, pumpkin games and activities and other things too.
I was doing the bird feeders shaped of pumpkins by using lard and wild bird seed.

Last of the Summer Grapes

2011-10-01T14:33:00.004+01:00

Many of the summer crops are coming to an end, but Gary Swain spotted the last remaining bunches of grapes in the polytunnel. This photo of today's bounty was taken by Chris Davis.

Apple Day 2011

2011-10-01T08:39:00.003+01:00

The Dig In Apple Day event was held on September 24th. The weather was perfect, and the volunteers worked very hard to ensure the event was a great success. Everyone I spoke too said they had a wonderful time, enjoying apple related food and refreshments as well as the various activities. We had over 100 visitors, and very positive feedback was received.

Over £90 was raised on the day through a raffle and donations, which will be put to good use for repairs, gardening equipment and other items needed for the project.

Chris Davis, a Dig In volunteer with a keen interest in photography was our official photographer for the event, and has provided some fantastic images which I have put together as a montage to give a flavour of the event. Please click here for pdf version.

Pond Dipping Event 2011

2011-09-15T09:38:00.003+01:00

This year's Pond Dipping event was held on August 17th in conjunction with Alan Heath from the Long Eaton Natural History Society (LENS). These events are always very popular with the children, both from a fun and educational perspective, and this one was no exception.

Although we felt that the numbers and types of species found in the pond have been limited by the unwanted introduction of goldfish (which will also eat tadpoles, so reducing the numbers of frogs which in turn help reduce the surrounding slug population), Alan reported a total of 19 species found during the survey.

A pdf listing the species found at this year's event is available by clicking this link.

Stapleford Carnival 2011

2011-09-07T07:17:00.007+01:00

Once again DIG IN attended the Stapleford Carnival ( 3.9.11)with an array of fruit and veg, preserves, seeds and strawberry plants to give out to local people. A fabulous well dressing was created and now is displayed for a week at Stapleford town Council. Lauren, Gill, Chris, Claire and Kathy were able to chat to people about DIG IN, offer growing advice and encourage involvement in the future events and coming along to wednesday and saturday sessions- although any discussion was in competition with a very noisy falcon on the next stall! Hundreds of people came to Stapleford Carnival- a great opportunity for us to publicise the Garden. Lots of folk were very interested in coming along and the swell of support for the Apple and Pumpkin days was evidence of how DIG IN is fast becoming a well known and well loved part of the Stapleford community. Thanks to the Town Council for a stall in their gazebo and their support.

Bugs Hotel

2011-08-28T09:43:00.003+01:00

Chris, Claire and Gary Swain have been very busy constructing a bugs hotel from recycled palettes, next to the wildlife pond. When finished, the hotel will provide a valuable habit for beneficial insects, which in turn will assist the frogs and other amphibians reared in the adjacent pond to control our garden pests.

Other recycled material such as rolled up cardboard, hollowed out canes, straw, small logs and twigs will be added to provide cosy resting places for these creatures over the cold winter period and beyond.

Prize Winners!

2011-08-28T09:12:00.006+01:00

Congratulations to Tony Payne who, on behalf of Dig In, entered produce grown on the community allotment in the recent Stapleford & District Garden Holders Association show. Tony entered a melon in the 'Most Unusual Shaped Veg' section and a bunch of grapes from the polytunnel in the 'Any Other Fruit' category.

This is the first time our community grown produce has been entered in the competition, and to come away with a second and third prize is a fantastic achievement.

2011-08-17T16:15:00.003+01:00

Clare has been very busy creating colourful new signs for our annual vegetable beds. Thanks to Chris for sourcing the wood and sawing it all! This is part of a movement to make the site and the growing plan easier for everyone to understand. Mary has drawn a beautiful map of the site which will be appearing on site shortly. Thanks Clare and Chris for all your hard work!

cook and eat 10th august

2011-08-10T16:46:00.002+01:00

The rain stopped, and the sun came out, and the wind blew, for our summer cook and eat event today. We almost lost our new marquee! Lets hope we can fix the damage done by the wind.... A meal with an Indian feel was enjoyed by all - with Mary's courgette bhajis proving popular. We all enjoyed the blackberry and apple compote with yoghurt for desert. We have another cook and taste event for childminders next week. Getting to try all this lovely food is definitely a perk of the job!

2011-07-31T09:22:00.003+01:00

There has been a lot of action on site over the past few weeks. Last weekend Pulp Friction was well and truly launched, and this weekend over 30 people learnt about bee keeping from Lee. The picture shows a number of "bee hotels" to attract solitary bees to the garden and a swarm of bees made from wool and plastic bags.

Mini Harvest

2011-07-16T20:50:00.005+01:00

A selection of fruit and vegetables recently harvested at Dig In. After being a victim of convenience, eating tinned peas for many years, I had forgotten how good real peas, fresh from the pod tasted.

Photo kindly provided by © Claire Swain

Volunteers needed to help with events

2011-07-16T09:31:00.002+01:00

Can you help to plan and deliver Our Apple and Pumpkin festivals? We need a small group of people who can give a bit of time to help organise or help at these events to make them as good as previous years.If you want to be involved let us know either through the blog or the Dig In enquiries email.

pulp friction launch

2011-07-13T14:14:00.003+01:00

Pulp Friction have been working hard on site to create an amazing soft fruit growing area. A public event to launch and celebrate the project will be happening at Dig In on Saturday 23rd July from 10.00 -12.00. Some of the smoothie bikes will be in action, and there will be a chance to find out more about the project and the future plans. Everyone welcome.

Dig For Life local food update

2011-07-04T18:15:00.006+01:00

The first 3 months of the project have been a busy time.

I have been supporting Foxwood school - who proudly harvested their crop of onions and chard today.

Castle College has paid two visits to the site and will hopefully be returning in the Autumn.

Bugs and beasties have been explored by Albany Juniors and the Cubs, a chance to promote the value of wildlife and diversity on an organic allotment. The Beavers are planning a few visits to do the same and help with our harvest in Autumn.

I linked with the Framework Access to Nature project to support a group to come on site, a chance to promote the project to local people. Everyone went home with their own salad pots to grow on at home.

I supported Pulp Friction when they built their beds. Chris from Pulp Friction with help from his family has done wonders to help the Dig In site become tidy of weeds and lay bark chippings on the paths.

I have done a few outreach sessions at Surestart. Along with Local Food Worker Alan Withington we did a salad pot workshop with parents, and Mary and I helped with a cooking session with rhubarb crumble on the menu using Dig In rhubarb. 2 families came to a Cook and Eat session at the Dig In site in June.

Over 30 people attended the willow weaving workshop and had a chance to express their creative talents making stars, fish and dragonflies.

At the Hemlock Happening there was lots of interest in the project and in growing vegetables generally. We had loads of help to complete a well dressing in seasonal June flowers.

Here's looking forward to the next three months!

Lauren
Dig In Project Worker

Contact details for DIG IN

2011-06-25T13:20:00.003+01:00

Confusion over contact details is hopefully coming to an end with the development of our wonderful new website and emails.

http://www.diginstapleford.org.uk/

enquiries@diginstapleford.org.uk

bookings@diginstapleford.org.uk

volunteering@diginstapleford.org.uk

telephone:07943 700302

2011-06-23T00:00:00.045+01:00

cook and taste june 2011

2011-06-15T17:24:00.003+01:00

Lauren, Mary and Gill welcomed Surestart workers and local families to the site for a cook and taste session. The weather stayed dry!The children and parents enjoyed looking round the site, watching the neighbouring chickens and trying the fabulous food prepared by volunteers, staff and parents.

Site activity

2011-06-15T16:50:00.007+01:00

lettuce and onions

Roy planting pumpkins and french bean

Here are some photos showing work at DIG IN in June 2011 showing some of the hard work that volunteers have put in and the great plants growing.

workshops

2011-06-14T09:23:00.002+01:00

Just a reminder that we have a FREE willow workshop this saturday 18th june 2011- please book va the DIG IN bookings email or the DIG IN telephone number (see workshops information) .

Change of date - Bee keeping is will now take place on 30th July 10-12 at the DIG IN site. Book through the ususal channels.

Hemlock Happenng 2011

2011-06-13T07:59:00.005+01:00

DIG IN volunteers once again provided a fantastic information stall at the Hemlock Happening giving away approximately 100 plants to some of the hundreds of people who attended. Children and adults helped to create a wonderful well dressing made up of petals, seeds and pulses while talking to volunteers and Lauren about the project. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped on the day and for all the hard work put ino making this a perfect opportunity to spread the word about DIG IN and growing your own food.

Dig In Local Food Project

2011-04-26T15:46:00.003+01:00

I am just over a month in post and really enjoying my new role.

Outreach sessions growing salad pots and cooking with allotment produce are planned with Stapleford Surestart, and I hope parents will be coming down to the Dig In site over the summer.

I have met with the First Steps Project to explore how more people from the project can be supported into volunteering with Dig In. The first new volunteer will be visiting the site in May.

I have been linking with local schools. I am supporting Foxwood school to plan their garden area and plan to support some sessions on site. I will support a visit to the site by Albany Infants in May. My next plan is to make links with Albany Junior.

Links have been made with the new Framework "Access to Nature" project, and a session on site is planned for May.

A group from Castle College will be volunteering on the site in May.

I am very keen to get local children involved in creating a beautiful new sign for the site. Watch this space....

Lauren
Dig In Project Worker

new dates for workshops 2011

2011-04-01T07:03:00.004+01:00

Hello everyone, some DIG In workshops/activities have been arranged. Funding secured from Broxtowe Action Fund has allowed us to go ahead and repeat some well loved and well attended workshops. DIG IN AGM 23rd May 7 pm at the Carnegie Centre, Warren ave, Stapleford .This is an open meeting and welcomes people who want to know more about DIG IN or join the group. Please contact me for more information. Willow weaving 18th June 10-12 or 1-3-Come and learn the skills of weaving with willow and make a garden decoration to take home . Tutor Helen Domleo- booking essential . Bee Keeping 16th July 10-12 TBC. Look inside the Hives and learn about bee keeping. Tutor Lee Atkin. Booking essential . Pond Dipping-17th August 10-12 Learn about biodiversity and how to maintain a wildlife pond with Long Eaton nature society.Booking essential. All workshops are free and will be outdoors so wear sensible footwear and clothes. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book via 07943700302 and leave your name and contact details.

Spring 2011

2011-03-29T13:53:00.003+01:00

An awful lot has happened since last entry. Several of us visited the Summerwood allotment mainly to look at their compost toilets (very impressive) but also to just look at another site.
It was huge, had countless sheds & greenhouses, not one but 2 eco loos, a clay pizza oven, a bee hive and a very natural looking pond. One of the fun things was a bicycle powered apple press which we persuaded Kathy to have a go on.
We came away more inspired and more determined than ever to get an eco loo on site. If I can remember how to do it I may post some pictures.
The other really major thing is that we have secured some local food funding and got a project worker, Lauren Kinnersley, for the Dig for Life project. We are hopimg this will help us do all sorts of events and developments, particularly to draw in more people to Dig-In and build in some sustainability. Mary V

Dig In Pumpkin Festival 2010

2010-10-31T01:20:00.000+01:00

Just back from a wonderful Pumpkin Festival at Dig In. We were incredibly lucky with the weather, and even luckier with the number of fantastically artistic people who volunteered to help us carve pumpkins to decorate the site and who cooked fabulous pumpkin-based food for the event. Dave, our pumpkin poet last year, visited us again to provide another brilliant poem, this one with its own dance, and Pulp Friction provided us with non-stop hot pumpkin soup.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered both beforehand and on the day - it made a huge difference to be able to spread the workload, and really helped our 149 visitors to have a great experience. Thank you also to the Groundwork team who added to the work of our regular groups to make the site look really spick and span on the day. And we mustn't forget those who entered the competitions, especially those who made the huge effort required to bring along their giant pumpkins.

Congratulations to our Prize Winner Mr. Fisher, with his 110kg monster pumpkin, and to Mr. Genivere who was a worthy runner up. Both gentlemen have generously donated their pumpkins and their seeds to us, so we look forward to giving these out next year and seeing what folk manage to grow from them!

Here are a few photos to give you a flavour of the event.

Pumpkin Fun for Albany Nursery

2010-10-06T22:21:00.000+01:00

The morning and afternoon classes of Albany Nursery visiting Dig In today to have a look around the allotment and help us harvest our pumpkins, ready for our Pumpkin Festival on 30th October.

They had a wonderful time looking at the bee hive and the pond, testing out the different smells of the herbs and choosing pumpkins to lift.

Then they discovered how big the biggest pumpkin ever grown was (currently 1725lbs and 5.15m in circumference), by standing in a circle the same size as the pumpkin's girth. After that, we weighed all the children, added the weights together and found that they would need 3 classes the size of the morning group to weigh the same as the record pumpkin, or 4.5 classes the size of the afternoon group (which had less pupils). We rounded off the visit with a taste of pumpkin pudding, which nearly everyone tried (even the adults!)

Thank you to the staff at the Nursery and all the parents, grandparents and carers who came down to make the visit possible. And a special thank you to our allotment neighbour who helped make the visit extra-special by showing the children their chickens and letting them help to feed them.

Capital One - September Volunteer Work Party

2010-10-06T07:06:00.000+01:00

On Thursday 30th September, an intrepid band from Capital One came to Dig In to help us revamp the planting around the pond, and to do battle with the Horseradish Monster!

They worked with a will, digging out the worst of the weeds, planting up with new pond plants and wildflowers, and removing huge amounts of algae from the pond.

Horseradish removal showed what a brute this plant is. The roots of the plant are incredibly deep, and you need to wear safety goggles to avoid the juice from them going into your eyes, and waterproof gloves to protect you hands. The team ended up collecting 3 buckets full of horseradish root - if anyone wants fresh horseradish sauce, we can help!

The pond area now looks great, so many thanks to Capital One for all your efforts.

Apple day 2010

2010-09-25T18:17:00.005+01:00

Thanks to everyone who helped or came along to another wonderful DIG IN event- APPLE DAY 2010.The sky was blue, the soup was hot and the apples were tasty....

September Bee Keeping workshop

2010-09-20T09:49:00.003+01:00

We had lovely weather for the second DIG IN bee keeping workshop. Everyone who attended enjoyed looking into the hives and the information the Lee and Luke supplied.Thanks to all who supplied lovely food and their time and thanks to Cicely who found the childrens tools and worked so hard!

apple picking

2010-09-15T07:46:00.002+01:00

If anyone can spare some time in the next few weeks to pick some apples please get in touch with Ben or myself, we need more hands.

bees

2010-09-15T07:42:00.002+01:00

Just a quick reminder - if anyone is interested in coming along on saturday 18th 10-12, to see inside the bee hives on site- could you let me know on 07827083853. Wear full trousers and good shoes- we may have to cancel if the weather is bad.

veggie distribution

2010-09-08T21:17:00.003+01:00

There has been a wonderful amount of fruit and veg harvested this year and it just keeps coming.I delivered 2 large carrier bags and a tray of produce over to the older peoples lunch club at Maycliffe Hall in Stapleford to be distributed amongst the group, taken home and enjoyed.Congratulations and thanks to all the volunteers for their hardwork and commitment to keeping the produce tied in ,mould free and bountiful!It was a nice wednesday session with new volunteers being shown the site and Kate, hoping to set up a community garden in Long Eaton,hopefully getting inspiration from the DIG IN journey.DIG IN has come a long way in the last few years and all the hard work has paid off- its a wonderfu project and a pleasure to be involved with.

Next Dig in meeting

2010-09-08T21:00:00.002+01:00

Just to let you know the next DIG IN committee meeting will be on wednesday 22nd sept at the Sure start Childrens centre Tipi,Albany school site, Grenville drive from 10-12.All Dig in users re welcome and anyone who interested in coming along to find out more about the project. If you need more information please feel free to get in touch- Kathy 8835543

Little Ones' Cook-in

2010-08-30T07:21:00.003+01:00

The Cook 4 Life session on Wednesday 25/8/10 was one of the best attended yet. Because of fear of wind & rain the venue was changed from the Dig-in Site to the Scout Hut on Pinfold Lane. As it turned out this was far more suitable for the 14 children, mostly under 5 and the 10 assorted adults. The little ones thoroughly enjoyed cutting and chopping vegetables with magic safe knives (supplied by the PCT nutritionists) while two older boys, Kyle and Kieron helped Mary & Jill in the kitchen. The nutritionists and child-minders supervised the little children cutting veg, making pizzas and playing games at the same time passing on masses of information about food. Despite some muddles (Mary accidentally burnt Jill's veg and some 0f the fruit for salad got baked in a crumble) the food produced was lovely and consumed with gusto by all. One of the older boys was heard to say " I didn't know it was going to be so much fun". It was wonderful to see children enjoying getting involved and eating so well.
Menu: wholemeal pasta twists with smooth or chunky sauce, mini muffin pizzas, couscous & ratatouille, fruit crumble & custard, and honeyed fruit salad. There was very lttle left to take back to Ben who had provided tons of fresh produce for the cook-in and had been holding the fort on site.
We feel well encouraged to do sessions with such groups again.
Mary

Capital One Volunteer Work Party

2010-07-23T23:01:00.001+01:00

Thursday saw Dig In turned into a hive of industry as 10 willing volunteers from Capital One came along to help us sort out the sensory beds by the polytunnel. Those of you who've helped us weed those beds will know that they had lots of couch grass and bindweed, along with plenty of other noxious weeds, and that these weeds had got in amongst the shrubs in the bed.

The volunteers took to the task with good humour despite the frequent bouts of rain. The solution was to dig everything up, dig out the roots and basically keep forking the soil over until no more new roots appeared. The team then helped us to plant up with a lovely range of new plants to add to those already in the beds, which they donated as part of their support. Some of the group also helped to weed the paths, so everything is looking wonderfully tidy now.

I'm sure you'll agree that the beds now look great. If you see anything that looks like a weed poking through in the next few months, please feel free to take it out!

The team with a new recruit.

Making a start - one of the beds seemed to have turned into another raspberry patch!

Ready for the third digging over...

A job well done. Thanks again to the Capital One team.

DIG IN's got talent

2010-07-19T08:45:00.004+01:00

The Well Dressing created at Arkwright Meadows community
garden Village show 2009

DIG IN celebration cake made by local artist and committee member Helen Domleo

show case of local talent

2010-07-19T08:39:00.004+01:00

Mural created by POW and Kasia Stozstak- Walker.

DIG IN committee meetings

2010-07-19T08:00:00.003+01:00

Just a reminder- the next DIG IN meeting will be on wednesday 21st July 10 am AT THE DIG IN SITE.This is a change from the usual venue of Montrose court. We thought that 2 weeks on the trot away from site activities caused too much disruption to weekly work ( and there will be a cook session on site the following week) so we will have short meeting to discuss essentials.As usual its open to all volunteers or those wanting to be involved, to come along.
The next few meeting for your diary are -
sept 22nd 10-12
nov 24th 10-12
Venue for these meetings is Montrose court, Melbourne rd Stapleford.

Dig In Scarecrow Festival 2010

2010-07-18T13:09:00.002+01:00

On Thursday, we had our 3rd Scarecrow Festival at the Dig In allotment. This time the theme was "Space", and we were lucky enough to get a whole host of scarecrows from local schools and uniformed groups, as well as one from our work team.

Pupils from local schools came to put up their scarecrows and then enjoyed a look around the allotment and tasting food made with produce from the allotment, including Kathy's famous courghette and chocolate cake.

Thank you to all our contributors - Bramcote Park, Foxwood and St. John's Schools, Bramcote Park Guides, Stapleford Cubs and Stapleford Beavers. Thanks also to all the volunteers who helped on the day.

The scarecrows will be on the allotment for the next few weeks, after which we can lend them out to local allotment holders.

Bramcote Park's Spaceman Scarecrow that took 3rd Place in the competition.

Foxwood's winning alien scarecrow, with the 2nd prize winner, St. John's School's first tattiebogle in space behind.

One of the many wonderful aliens supplied by Bramcote Guides.

An alien from the Cubs

Another alien from the Cubs

Kathy risks standing under a flying saucer...

Stapleford Beavers supplied a 2 headed alien

Getting into the spirit with space-themed head-gear!

More bees in action

2010-07-12T17:30:00.002+01:00

Taken by Mike who attended the workshop on saturday the 10th July.Thanks to everyone who came along either to learn or to help- it was a really enjoyable day.Big thanks to Lee and Dean.We will be arranging another workshop on 18th September 2010 10-12 at DIG IN. Please call me to book 0115 8752095- Kathy

Beekeeping workshop

2010-07-10T21:58:00.004+01:00

Another hot and sunny day saw our first ever beekeeping workshop. It was run by Lee and Dean who keep two hives on the plot, and attended by enthusiastic visitors, all keen to find out about the art and science of beekeeping.

Dean gave a talk and answered questions using a well-prepared display of visual materials, which included a dummy hive and a few preserved (late) bees. Lee helped everyone to take turns in donning the protective clothing and veils then looking into an open hive and handling the frames of workers.

Genuine Stapleford honey was available to purchase, and plenty of honey cakes and other goodies had been made by our skillful cooks for people to sample and enjoy.

Everyone had a great time, and found it very informative. Lee and Dean are already planning a repeat performance later this summer.

COOK IN 3

2010-07-01T07:18:00.005+01:00

Yesterday 30th July, in glorious sunny weather, Dig in volunteers working with the community nurtionist team held the third 'come cook on the allotment' session. Cooking dahl, sagoo aloo,biriyani, riata and salad volunteers,members of the public, Staplefords deputy mayor helped to cook and learn key tips and ideas on staying healthy.Jackie and Mia looked at the Eatwell plate with the group, in probably the most beautiful place they have ever put it , next to the DIG IN pond.Volunteers dug up carrots, potatoes and chard and used strawberries and raspberries and mint in the recipes.

Thanks to Jas for bringing his spices , ideas and expertise,Mary and Gill for their years of experience and joy of cooking ( and time) and the Mia and Jackie for their knowledge, resources and sense of adventure in tackling the sometimes testing nature of cooking on a working allotment. A fantastic collaboration, showing the best way of getting the enjoyment and pleasure out of cooking healthy food.Big thanks to everyone who came along, all our regulars and new people and especially Evelyn, Marys mum who stuck it out in the heat!

Next cook 4life session is on July 28th 10-12.30 at the site.

Pond life

2010-06-17T18:28:00.004+01:00

The tadpoles are developing rapidly. Many now have legs and some have even transformed into tiny froglets which clamber and splash amongst the weed in the corner of our wildlife pond.

There'll be a chance for the public to explore the pond on Wednesday, 11th August, when we open up between 10:00am and 12:00 midday for a pond dipping workshop. A visiting expert from Attenborough Nature Centre will help to identify the pond creatures and explain something about their lives in the pond. There will also be advice and information on pond maintenance.

The day will assist with scientific research as it is being run as part of the OPAL national water survey.

Call Kathy 0115 875 2095 for bookings and details. Children are welcome, but will need to be supervised at all times by a responsible adult carer. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Willow Obelisk Weaving Workshops

2010-06-02T19:27:00.001+01:00

You might remember that Saturday was wet. Sorry, I'll type that again - it was WET. However, undeterred and with the aid of 3 gazebos and a polytunnel, the intrepid Dig In folk still ran our willow craft workshops. Lots of happy people laboured in their various shelters to create wonderful willow obelisks for their gardens, under the expert eye of our workshop teacher, Helen Domleo. Helen was back by popular demand following our similar event last year, and, given that we had a huge waiting list for the 2 workshops, I suspect we might need to ask her back again soon.

As always, we managed to feed people with Dig In produce hidden in surprising places - like Kathy's amazing courghette and chocolate cake and Tracey's pumpkin muffins (they really don't taste of pumpkin at all!).

The Saturday group were also undeterred and worked all morning despite the deluge. Well done all, and thank you to everyone who lent us gazebos for the day - we literally couldn't have done it without you.

Half-way through.

The finished article.

2nd cook-in of the season

2010-05-27T07:09:00.002+01:00

Yesterday saw the second Cook-in session, this time operations were moved to Pastures Church Community Hall over the road because the weather was windy & threatened rain. The POW group (still don't know what it stands for) were delightful and helpful. First several of them came over to the site to pick produce with the help of lovely big laminated pictures. (Mark liked the smells.) When we got back to hall we sat down to prep the food at 4 tables where everything had been laid out for the 4 dishes : Tuscan bean soup, spring green risotto, mixed salad and fruit kebabs. Some volunteers and members of the group went in the kitchen to get the cooking going. Tipping things in and stirring were popular activities. (Barbara couldn't be dragged away.)
While the two cooked dishes were cooking most of the group stayed in the hall & played a game devised by Nutritionist Jackie using brilliant home made smell holders. (I wd never have guessed that soggy mess was weetabix!)
Then we sat down & had a feed (does this sound like a familiar pattern?)
Those that tried the food enjoyed it - lots. (Kevin had two helpings of everything and Marion really loved the parmesan shavings) Food was got ready to take over the road for Ben who was holding the fort for Sean being assessed on the site, but Ben magically appeared among us. Volunteers and the group and their supervisors all mucked in to clear up and it all went swimmingly. (It really helps having hot water on tap!) It was also good that almost all the equipment came from one source - Jackie.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this a most enjoyable event.

Mystery guests

2010-05-26T17:05:00.003+01:00

The pond has some mysterious new occupants. At least four small brown fish have been spotted swimming happily amongst the plants and tadpoles. Nobody has the slightest idea where they came from. We can only assume they were put in by another tenant on the site, perhaps because they didn't want them in their own pond, or perhaps as an anonymous gift for all to enjoy. We know that people love to come and sit by our pond and they're very welcome to enjoy it.

We guess the fish must be eating the pond weed because that has cleared almost entirely. Does anyone know what sort of fish they are and how should we feed them?

First Dig-in AGM 19-5-2010

2010-05-20T08:49:00.003+01:00

The AGM took place at Montrose court (thanks Kathy for fighting off others who wanted the room!) Lots of people turned up - at least 15. (Councillor Dave Pearson said if Brian had known there w'd be food he w'd have come too) It was a catalogue of achievements and great things happening over the last year, chiefly the increase in volunteers who worked hard to make the project better, publicise it and make events happen, which in turn attracted more volunteers.
Feedback from those assembled gave encouragement and ideas for the future. In particular Sean wd like a strimmer which Ben wd like upgraded to a sit-on mower and Mary wd like a toilet.
And our supporters wd like yet more info & communication and even more requests for help with volunteers and funding. What marvellous people!
Then we had a bit of a feed - Rhubarb muffins, cheese tartlets, cheese and spinach rolls, beetroot brownies and other lovely grub. After all, isn't that why we grow food?

First Cook-in of the season

2010-04-29T18:19:00.004+01:00

I don't know precisely how many people came to the first cook-in of the season - about a dozen E2E people with attendant trainee social workers and tutors, then there were volunteers old and new, and various completely new people who Ben tried to sign up as volunteers. Perhaps 30?

Anyway there were heaps of people and the weather was nice for a change. Jackie Henson, NHS nutitionist held the attention of the young people with her 'healthy plate' and 'guess the sugar content' activities. The deck near the pond made a lovely outdoor classroom while the assorted others set up four cooking stations, each with several chopping boards, stoves, knives and other equipment.

I don't know about the others' experience but my young people attacked the veggies with gusto making nice fine slices for stir-frying. Maybe the opportunity to use a cleaver was the draw. One of our visitors, Jas luckily knew how to set up the portable stoves. Apparently he does this sort of thing for a living. The wind got in the way and several of the young folk moved my whole cooking station into the polytunnel, which was much better.

Anyway tons of food was made - Spanish omelette, salad and a sort of rhubarb tiramisu - and devoured. After the YPs had left Gill made a second spanish omelette,we cobbled together a potato salad and we discovered Ben's crop of sprouts which we added to leftover salad and had a grown-up's lunch. All v nice.

Then there was the seemingly endless washing up and sorting.

Basically a good time was had by all and we are eager to do the next one.

2010-04-26T03:48:00.002+01:00

Here is Ben and 'mini Ben' last wednesday.

Such lovely weather, the site is really starting to come to life now, and the seeds we sowed a couple of weeks ago are begining to germinate now too, and it's becoming apparent that I did indeed have the help of my two daughters, as all sorts of intersting mixtures of seed are appearing in some of the pots :$ - oops!

Our 40 mixed sunflower seeds are growing at home now too, and we intend to bring some to the site and brighten up the entrance area, for everyone to enjoy!

We also continued to dig over the beds remove weeds and dig in barrows full of course sand.

I started a new bed for comfrey.

I'm interested in trying harvesting some nettles to make our own fertiliser for later on, waste not want not! However I believe we are now Nettle free, so perhaps a walk of the site and sounding area.

New day, new faces

2010-04-18T20:08:00.003+01:00

We started our new Saturday sessions in the most beautiful sunny weather.

Linda and Owain came along and did a lot of watering, to counteract the sun's drying effects on the soil. They also weeded out the larger of our onion beds before the early season weeds could take too firm a grip.

Sally, who recently enquired about joining us came along for an introductory look round before she had to go to a prior engagement. We hope to see Sally again, maybe on Wednesday.

Then another set of new folk, a family of four, arrived by bicycle. They arrived in two parent-and-child groups, having struggled to find the site. No wonder: who took down the allotment site notice? Anyway, it wasn't long before Chris, Amy, Abie and Chloe had been whisked around the site on a guided tour, then got stuck into some weeding: this time going to work on the bed of garlic and shallots. They left, all smiles, looking forward to next week.

A successful morning all round and the first of many regular Saturday sessions we hope. If all goes well, the Saturday sessions will allow more people to come along and take part in Dig In.

Seeds of growth

2010-04-07T19:01:00.003+01:00

Lots of seeds being sown today. The little paper pots were all made by Kathy using a wooden former, a huge pile of newspaper, and an endless supply of patience. This is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than lots of plastic pots which use lots of oil in their production. If we all use less oil, we might not need our 'leaders' to attack so many gulf oil states. Hey, Dig In builds the road to world peace! When the seedlings grow, we can pop the whole thing into the ground and the paper pot just rots down into the earth and produces less root disturbance (= stronger plants = more lovely veggies.)

Two new visitors today: Owen and Linda came along for the first time to see what we do. They braved a heavy shower of rain as we did the grand tour of the site, and Owen even got his hands dirty with the seed-sowing. They're both lovely people and we're all hoping they'll stay with us and help the project to grow.

So: world peace, lovely veggie, and wonderful people - not a bad day's work.

Brown is beautiful

2010-04-07T18:58:00.002+01:00

Mary spotted this fungi today and pointed out how lovely it looked. No other reason for blogging this except that 'lovely' is, well, lovely.

Jostaberry

2010-03-31T19:22:00.007+01:00

What's Sean doing in that hole?

He's preparing the ground for the replanting of our new jostaberry bush which we'd previously put in the wrong place. A recent visitor to Dig In pointed out that we'd planted it too close to a gooseberry, and that jostaberries need a good deal of space. So Sean ventured out into the drizzle and put some muscle into digging a new hole for the bush. He fortified the soil with a good measure of fertiliser and set the bush in firmly, together with a stout stake for support as it grows bigger.

So what is a jostaberry anyway? Well, it's one of the new 'superfoods' - packed with vitamins and goodness, but don't ask me what it tastes like: at least, don't ask me until later in the year when we've harvested the fruits of Sean's labour.

Tracey's 'taters

2010-03-31T18:14:00.005+01:00

Here are the early signs of success for Tracey's potato experiment.

Last Autumn, Tracey planted some seed potatoes in the polytunnel to see if they'd be happy through the Winter and find out if they'd emerge in the Spring. Well, they certainly look well enough. We gave them a good watering today, just to help the underground tubers to swell into something big and delicious. We also earthed them up: that is, we piled more soil over the greenery. This encouraged the plant to produce more potatoes and keeps the sun from getting through to the tubers which would turn them green and unuasable.

Actually, I could have told Tracey they'd grow. Every year, when I dig up my potato crop, I somehow always manage to miss a few. The following year, the forgotten tubers grow and emerge into the sunlight, usually in the most inconvenient place such as a recently-sown seedbed of the following crop.

Unlike me, Tracey had the good sense to put her potatoes exactly where she wanted them to grow.

Pumpkins galore

2010-03-16T20:32:00.003Z

We now have lots of pumpkin seeds, thanks to the generosity of Stonebridge City Farm. They've donated us lots of seed which will be used as part of a schools project, culminating in our second annual Pumpkin Festival on 30th October. We will give out pumpkin seeds and plants to encourage schools, as well as individuals, to grow pumpkins which are then entered into various displays and competitions at the festival.

Last year we had competitions for the biggest pumpkin (it was truly enormous) and for the best-decorated pumpkin. There were also lots of activities, including pumpkin food tasting, pumpkin carving, pumpkin games, and a pumpkin beauty spa.

Many thanks to Stonebridge City Farm, who are based in the urban heart of Nottingham. They run their own growing projects, as well as giving city people a chance to meet farm animals and enjoy a beautiful little haven within a few minutes' walk of the city centre. As well as taking a look at their website, you may wish to check out their online petition to save part of the farm from being converted into a car park.

"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till it's gone,

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" Joni Mitchell

Stapleford Web puts Dig In online

2010-03-05T13:21:00.003Z

Dig In send our thanks to Stapleford Web for providing our first listing on the world wide web.

They've kindly added our details to the clubs & socities and community groups pages of their website.

Do please take a look at Stapleford Web. It's a superb website which is packed with useful information for Staplefordians. It includes community groups, businesses, local government information and lots, lots more. You can look up maps of the area, check the weather forecast, and find easy links to local transport times, all in one place. What's more, it's a great promoter of Stapleford's "sense of place" with features on the town's history, landmarks, and notable people.

Thank you.

Sowing New Seeds

2010-03-04T22:53:00.001Z

This is the name of the new HDRA project and here is a pic, if I manage to upload it of mangoes growing

Trip to Ryton 29-02-2010

2010-03-04T20:31:00.000Z

So we got there a bit late thanks to satnav (who sounded like Henry Kissinger) and me remembering a different way. About 20 assorted and interesting looking people. 2 presentations - one presentation about the goals and objectives (all SMART - can't remember what S stands for, but measurable, achievable, realistic and timebound, so they involved a lot of numbers) and one with pictures about actual unusual veggies. (Particularly liked the chick peas)

Anyway we got the idea - it's a 2 yr project with the aim of gathering info and seeds of exotic (as in non-native) veggies and encouraging lots of people to grow them and generally increase the range of plants we can grow in this country. HDRA also want feedback on cultivation, cooking and eating.

As a group of people ready to try most things we were keen to participate and spread the word. Fits in well with our AAH Veg project (Asian And Heritage Veg). Seems sensible with the advance of climate change to widen the range of foodstuffs available to us. Who knows, maybe within a generation we'll be growing bananas and mangoes, yum!

Then there was a fascinating look at the seed-saving area followed by lunch and shopping.

Lunch was lovely yellow rice with either Thai green veg curry or lamb stew, or for greedy omnivores like me a bit of everything.

Try this

2010-03-04T11:59:00.000Z

We've got lots of seeds from seed swaps and donations. This is great, but occasionally we find some weird and wonderful seed which has come with no growing instructions.

Here's a website we can use to get us growing.

Vegetable Growers' Almanac.

Many hands

2010-03-03T19:43:00.000Z

Plenty of people on site today, so we shared out all the jobs that needed doing.

Good to see Perveen back with us and Mary had overcome her poorly foot too. They joined in with Yvonne and Dominic, who were along for their first morning at the plot. All these good people teamed up to tidy up and weed the sensory beds, which are filled with herbs and flowers and are designed to look, smell, taste, and feel varied and wonderful. Even the pathways are studded with colourful marbles and tactile shapes you can feel underfoot as you stroll by. Some of the plants will need to be replaced in the spring as 'annuals' don't usually make it through the winter.

Nicola, Sean and Kingslee did a similar job of tidying up the bed and structure which is intended to house ladybirds: or Ladybirdland, as I like to call it. Didn't see any of the little spotted chaps, but hopefully they're sleeping through the winter in their snug little holes ready to emerge fresh and hungry to eat all the aphids that will want to eat our veg. That's our happy band in the picture, with Ladybirdland on the right.

Mary had brought a huge bag of donated seeds, which ben sorted into our seed store, ready for sowing at the correct time. Meanwhile, Kathy had a site visit and discussion with an eco-loo expert as we're looking at the feasibility of building a composting toilet.

Cook & Eat sessions: dates announced

2010-03-01T19:23:00.000Z

Here are the dates for this year's "Cook & Eat" sessions on the Dig In allotment in Stapleford:

April 28th
May 26th
June 30th
July 28th
August 25th
September 29th

i.e. The last Wednesday of the month, during the 'nice weather' part of the year. Even if it rains, there's plenty of space in the polytunnel, so you won't get wet whilst cooking and enjoying the food. All sessions run 1000-1230, and we're hoping to have a nutritionist available for at least some of the sessions, to give advice and answer your questions on food and health.

The emphasis is on participation, to enjoy cooking and eating healthy food, straight from the allotment wherever possible. It's not difficult and you learn so much. I went along to a Cook & Eat last year, as my introduction to Dig In, and I've been hooked ever since (although I'm still daft enough to be talked into peeling the onions - weep, weep.)

We can accommodate up to 15 adults at each session, so it's essential to book by calling Kathy on 07817 523 087 or Mia on 0115 883 5049 or 07717 866 898. Children are welcome, so long as they are accompanied and supervised by an adult. If there's enough demand, we'll provide art and craft activities for the tiddlypeeps.

Manure trip

2010-03-01T18:04:00.000Z

Kathy and ben had an outing to collect manure on Saturday. Animal manure is about the best and most natural thing a gardener or allotmenteer can dig into their soil. Humankind has been doing it for millenia. Not only is it full of essential nutrients to feed the plants as they grow, but it also improves the soil structure; breaks down the heavy clay we have at Stapleford; and helps it to hold water, which reduces the amount of heavy work we'll have to put in with the watering cans in the dry summer months.

Now a morning spent digging poo doesn't immediately seem like most people's idea of a good time, but this little outing had a very special destination. We collected the manure from the lovely people at Brinsley Animal Rescue centre. They do an amazing job, giving a second chance to sick, injured, and unwanted animals: anything from accident-prone hedgehogs, through rescued battery hens, to large farm animals that are 'uneconomical' for farm businesses to maintain. They are all looked after lovingly by volunteers whose vegan principles ensure that the animal's well being always come first. Do please find out more about them by clicking on the link.

So the digging work was so much more enjoyable because we were in a lovely sunny paddock, surrounded by creatures that are clearly well and happy and enjoying their new lease of life at Brinsley. We had to dig carefully as we were soon surrounded by hens, clucking away contentedly as they picked over the newly-turned manure for earthworms worms and insects. The biggest distraction was Bruce, the bull (pictured above) who was saved from being destroyed by the farmer who didn't want him because he was born blind. He spent much of his time cantering around the grass or nuzzling up to us.

As an added benefit for Dig In, the manure is so much better than regular farm manure. That's because, aside from the legally-stipulated inocculations, all the animals are treated with homoeopathic remedies (as well as love) so their poo isn't full of antibiotic residue. So there's no danger of filling the soil, and hence our crops, with unwanted medications.

Thanks to everyone at Brinsley Animal Rescue.

Clearing the ground

2010-02-24T19:39:00.000Z

At last. We've eventually found a morning that has been kind to us, and begun to set spade and fork into the soil for 2010.

Sandwiched between last night's snow and this afternoon's showers, we enjoyed a nippy but dry and bright morning. With fork, spade and trowel in hand, Kathy, Gill and ben set to clearing the first of the beds. We also popped a few flower bulbs into the soil; perhaps a little late, but they should hopefully spring up in due course and add some joyful colour to the Spring.

We also met with a new eager grower, Sean, who will be joining us to help out on the allotment. Sean, who has been working with a local volunteering scheme, comes highly recommended as a bit of an expert with a strimmer, so amongst other activities there'll be plenty for him to do when the grass begins to take over our community orchard again. Welcome Sean - we look forward to having you alongside.

Seed Swap

2010-02-21T14:44:00.000Z

On Saturday, we were at a 'seed swap' organised by our friends at Beeston Transition initiative.

Beeston Transition are a group of local people trying to raise awareness about climate change and peak oil. (Terminology: the concept of 'peak oil' is based on the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.) The movement aims to help the transition of the local community into one which that is less dependant on oil.

The seed swap event does exactly what is says on the tin. You take your spare and unwanted seeds, or even ones which you've lovingly saved for other people to enjoy, and you swap them for other people's seeds that you need or would like to try out.

Dig In brought home plenty of new varieties to try out back on the plot in Stapleford. Nicola selected some lovely flower seeds to add to the sensory beds and wildlife area, which the bees will enjoy. Ben got some good advice on composting from one of the gardening experts who was in attendance. Mary picked out some more unusual and exotic veg seeds to add interest to our plot (and cookery sessions) later in the year: multi-coloured beetroot, Cherokee beans, and calaloo, to name but a few.

New Life

2010-02-17T15:25:00.001Z

Here's the very first seedling of 2010, just shooting out from the compost. It's a melon, in case you're wondering. It was raised under a simple, inexpensive propagator top from Wilko's, placed on a window ledge in a warm room.

Starting early seeds off indoors is a great way to get a head start on the growing season, even when it's too cold and wet outside to think of sowing anything in the soil. Tender plants, such as melons, peppers, and tomatoes can be germinated (ie. started from seed) in trays of compost in the house, with a propagator top which acts like a tiny wee greenhouse. The propagator top is removed once the first shoots appear.

Once the plants are big enough they are usually 'potted on' - that is, transplanted into larger pots to give the roots more space to spread out. Then you can start 'hardening off' by putting them outdoors in spring for increasingly long periods each day until they're finally able to look after themselves out of doors once there's no more danger of a bad frost.

These melons will eventually go into our polytunnel, rather than outdoors. They need the extra warmth provided by the tunnel's protection even in spring and summer. By starting the melons off nice and early, they have plenty of time to grow. They need to be quite big and be producing fruit in good time for the summer, which is when there will be enough heat and sunlight to ripen the fruits. That way we can dare to grow sweet, juicy melons which are not normally associated with our British weather.

Post something on the Blog they said......so how about JOIN US?

2010-02-11T23:09:00.000Z

So I'll start by saying hello, and this is me on the left (the bigger one of the two) I joined the Dig in team approximately a year ago, I love to get out and grow things, I'd heard about dig in community allotment, and decided I'd like to know more about it and possibly get involved, and so here I am.

Joining the team after becoming 'hooked' instantly on day one is with out a doubt one of the best moves I've made in quite some time, and urge any one with an ounce of curiosity to come and take a look for your self - and absolutely no pressure we promise!

It wasn't very long before I realised Dig In wasn't just about growing a few tomatoes, and runner beans, there are many other things Dig In has to offer, as well as the growing side there is the cooking side, we've had some fantastic cook sessions and there have also been numerous community events, the pumpkin day, apple day, even well dressing, and scarecrow days, local schools are also becoming involved along with a number of other groups also using the Dig In site.

Dig In is helping to spread the word about healthy eating, and how it benefits us showing us how we can grow, cook and eat very well for much less you don't need to be an expert (well, I'm living proof of that!) you can start out using almost anything you have lying around at home, a couple of seeds (you can pick some up at the annual seed swap or later seedlings at the seedling swap) and start growing on your windowsill on an old milk carton! cost: could be nothing! or maybe just a few pence.

The health benefits of becoming much more involved in growing your own food are seemingly endless, and many of these possibly explain why I keep coming back:

Physical exercise - A good session of digging is high on the list for burning calories and raising your heart rate. Or if you prefer to potter about, it's still a clear winner over the arm chair and the TV!
Emotional well being - reducing stress levels, and producing natural endorphins.
Social benefits - Meeting a diverse range of people from equally diverse backgrounds, all with a common interest.
Intellectual- Learn something new about gardening, bee keeping, cooking, to mention just a few, or bring something new to the site yourself!
General well being - Putting all of the above in to practice and following it through,seeing the results emerging in late spring, following on the harvest in the autumn, planning liaising and communicating on site and in the wider community is not only rewarding in terms of the abundance of produce and what we can do with it, but also in terms of what it produces for the soul, it has an overall 'healing' effect as so many aspects of our well being are being addressed, holistically, unwittingly?..........but certainly quite effortlessly!

Re the Blog, it's looking great! well done everyone, especially to Tracey for getting it up and running!

Cook and eat sessions 2010

2010-02-11T12:18:00.000Z

Just to let everyone know that plans are afoot for more cook sessions- led by volunteers and supported by the community nutritionists. These sessions will be starting after easter- when the weather is warmer- and take place on site in the last week of the month. Ill circulate a date list when we have more details.The aim is to get a community group working with volunteers on a particular recipe(or two) and then... the best bit... eating together! After the last 2 years of cook sessions, and the wonderful sessions on site last year, I think we are all looking forward to more fantastic healthy recipes using fruit and veg freshly picked from the site. The sessions will be open to anyone to participate. Let me know if you are interested.

Winter colour

2010-02-10T21:04:00.000Z

The skies over Stapleford may be cold, bleak and laden with snow, but there is still plenty of colour to bring cheer on the Dig In allotment.

OK, so this might be cheating, but the beautifully painted mural on our storage container-cum-tool shed comes into its own when the earth isn't producing much in the way of natural blooms. Those beds in the foreground are just a small part of what the Entry to Employment (E2E) team achieved last year. Great work from those lively young people to transform a patch of bare earth into well-made paths and beds which are just oozing potential. You can expect those beds to be bursting with colour and goodness once we're into the growing season.

Now, here's some more natural colour: Autumn-planted onions shooting above the earth, full of promise for the year ahead. They were planted as 'sets', which are like miniature bulbs and, having rested in the earth through the worst of the cold, are now beginning to put up some lush green growth above the soil. It will still be a while before the bulbs swell into tasty onions but, when they do, the head start they've had will allow us to pick and enjoy them a few weeks earlier than any Spring-sown onions.

And finally, something that's already available to eat. Winter lettuce growing in the shelter of our polytunnel. Amazing, if you associate salads with Summer only. Those frizzy leaves may look delicate, but they've grown through the winter, even when the snow-filled days and frosty nights brought temperatures plummeting inside the tunnel. They're quite hardy and will thrive when other plants won't survive. They'll keep growing back after you cut a few leaves, so long as you let a few leaves and the root behind. They live tough, but taste tender; in fact they really do taste as good as they look.

Meetings

2010-02-10T20:56:00.000Z

The Dig In volunteers spent the last two days in meetings.

Yesterday we met with Chris, a researcher who is collecting data for a postgraduate thesis on the role community gardens and allotments in society. Today we met with Lynn, who is helping us put together a bid for Lottery funding to support the project over the next two years.

"Meetings" always sound terribly dull and daunting, but over the two days we learned a lot of interesting things about one another, our personalities, talents, values, motivations, reasons for growing green stuff. It also gave us a chance to step back for a moment and examine our core values and what direction we want for the Dig In project, as well as to see just how much has been achieved in a relatively short time.

Presents on Friday!

2010-02-05T22:44:00.000Z

I went up to Cool Temperate at Cossall to pick up the order I failed to get for Dig In before Christmas. It was a bit like being a kiddy in a sweetshop (yes I bought myself a Mulberry tree - I admit it, I'm weak...).

So - anyway the outcome is that we now have 2 different rhubarbs to replace our current geriatric one, 1 blackcurrant and 1 Marjorie's Seedling plum ready to be planted next week, + a jostaberry and a yellow gooseberry which are heeled in, in the soft fruit area, because they came bare-rooted and I was wearing fancy boots that weren't up to a proper planting.

When Marjorie gets going, she could look like this.

The weather was far too nice and sunny just to drop stuff off and run, so we pottered a bit. My son (Apple man!) got as much of the algae out of the pond as he could with a stick, and I re-wove the fedge and the little willow arbour seat by the ladybird city.

What we did Wednesday 3rd February

2010-02-04T14:17:00.000Z

We arrived to find the site blanketed by a hard frost: beautiful, but any digging was out of the question.

A walk around the site put us in mind of various jobs that need doing: drag the weed from the pond; renew the wild flowers in the insect zone; identify and label all the plants in the sensory garden once they emerge in Spring.

The winter salads in the polytunnel are looking well, and some of us treated them to a little light weeding whilst the others set our newly-purchased seed potatoes ready for chitting. It will be a couple of months before they go into the soil, but the rows of tubers are a fine reminder of what we can look forward to. Mary chose them from the Nottingham Organic Gardeners' potato day, and she has selected a good range of cultivars.

Kathy and ben counted all the beds on site because we plan to number and label tham all. This will make it easier to reference them and so aid with planning and crop rotation in future. Wow - the site has over fifty beds. What a tribute to everyone who has worked so hard to put the infrastructure in place.

Ben has obtained some scrap wood for the labels, but we are likely to need more in order to complete the task. Let him know if you can contribute anything from this list:

wood for labels (about 5" width and 1/2" section is ideal, but larger sizes can be adapted.)

wood for pegs (about 1" width and 1/2" section is best, but larger sizes can be adapted)

unwanted tins of outdoor or household paint

unwanted tins of varnish

It would be good if we could use leftover materials, so check your loft, shed, garage, or wherever else you dump the stuff that you can't bear to throw away.

With little else to do, we retired for coffee, muffins (thanks Nicola), and chat. Discussion centred around a banner for our big events this year, and Nicola obliged with an excellent design. We also finished sorting our stock of seed into date order, ready to be sown at the right time of the forthcoming season.

Our stock of seed looks good, although there are still some that we need to obtain, if we are to grow everything we'd like to this year:

borlotto bean

cauliflower, Romanesco

beetroot, Chioggia Pink

tomato, a variety of different cultivars

carrot

courgette, though not too many

sunflower

sweet peas, any favourites?

shallot sets

garlic bulbs

Anyone who is going to this month's Beeston Transition seed swap event can help by looking out for these.

Dig In's Greatest Hits 2009 - Part 2

2010-02-03T00:40:00.000Z

We had some excellent events last year.

The first one was our Willow Obelisk Weaving Workshop (hard to say, but fun to do!).

Then we had a Scarecrow Festival, with Scarecrows made by Albany Junior School, the 5th Stapleford Cubs and a few by Dig In members. Here are a few of the best ones - you'll guess that the theme was "The Sea"...

Next came our Apple Day, which was pretty busy, and meant that local folk got to taste over 20 different varieties of apple, taste various apple recipes, try their hand at making and drinking apple juice, play games and do crafts with apples and even meet our very own Apple Superheros!

Last, but definitely not least, we had our Pumpkin Festival. This took loads of work, but it was definitely worth it. We had help from the local Transition Group, as well as Dave - the Pumpkin Poet, and Francis - a pumpkin story-teller with many hats! We ran pumpkin carving workshops, pumpkin games, lots of food-tastings, a largest pumpkin competition, a best-carved pumpkin competition and even a pumpkin spa where pumpkin-cremes were used to give the clients younger-looking skin.

Our pumpkin poet starts off proceedings with a specially commissioned poem.

A pumpkin well-dressing

The largest pumpkin on the day.

Dig In's Greatest Hits 2009 - Part 1

2010-02-02T23:40:00.000Z

I thought I'd start things off with a flavour of what we've been getting up to at Dig In recently.

2009 was a great year, with some excellent events and lots of activity sessions at the allotment.

As usual, the AAH Veg group that meets on Wednesday mornings at the allotment did a great job and managed to grow some very interesting and delicious crops, including almost completely filling the polytunnel with vines of a stupendously prolific squash. They've also brought their cooking to the allotment this year, so we had some feasts like this one.

Here's the vine when it was still a baby, before it took over!

The Thursday Group - which meets in the afternoons, also managed quite a few nice crops, including a great pumpkin crop (handy, since we were having a Pumpkin Festival!).

We got very excited when we found our first pumpkin!

But soon we had loads - and the picture by the car doesn't show any of the larger ones.