Harvest Event 2015

Here are a few pics from this year's Harvest Event.
Many thanks to all the people who came to this event even though it was raining for much of the day.  DigIn really appreciates your support.
Thanks to Asda for supporting us, especially Jon on the day.
Thanks too to the volunteers who contributed so much to make the whole day possible - we couldn't do it without you.

The comments we had from our visitors on the day were very encouraging - it sounds like you all enjoyed it!

It's the way I tell 'em!

Work Party "Intu" Dig In!

We had a phenomenal team from Intu at Dig In today.  About 30 took part and really threw themselves into the tasks we had planned for them.  Thanks to Alan from RCAN for arranging it for us.  We have many tasks that never seem to get done as we are so busy with plants (and weeds) in the growing season.  The task list seems to get longer each year (which is why we can always do with an extra pair of hands - you don't have to be a gardener, just able to do a bit of DIY!).  The Intu team made new raised beds, dug out an area next to the Polytunnel to flatten it out and then laid weed suppressant fabric & woodchip on top - looks really smart now!

Many of the paths were weeded & topped up with woodchip, a new sail shade put up - it's waterproof too, might come in handy tomorrow at the Harvest Event!

The tyre wall was removed, weeded, then put back in place with rubble & gravel inside and looks so much better!

Some of the sheds and the gazebo have had a new coat of preservative and lots of other jobs were tackled.

One of the team left us with a pumpkin carved with the Intu logo which looks very smart.
Massive thanks to all of the Intu team, Alan, and not forgetting Jill, Dig In volunteer /PulpFriction who made soup and bread for the day and the other DigIn volunteers who pitched in to help.

Alan tidying up after the work party

HARVEST DAY - Coming to an allotment near you!

Yes, this Saturday 24th October 11am-3pm its the Dig In annual Harvest Event!  Don't worry about what the weather's doing, there'll be plenty going on at Dig In and we have the polytunnel and various gazebos/tents to shelter under if its slightly damp.  Us Hardy Perennials at Dig In will be there regardless of the weather.  Pumpkin soup and freshly pressed apple juice will be just two of the tempting things on offer, plus, of course, pumpkin carving and lots more besides!

Come along and support your local Community Allotment.
Hope to see you there...

More Pumpkin Progress

The time has come to harvest the pumpkins before the frost gets them.  Today, we released Big Max from its plant along with other almost as large pumpkins.  Here are some pics.  They were so heavy it took two of us to lift them into the wheelbarrow!
They should be on display at our Harvest Event on Saturday 24th Oct, 11 - 3pm.  Come along and see them for yourself.

Pumpkin's Progress

Here's a pic of Big Max, the pumpkin.  It seems to have grown since last week.  We've rested it on top of the raised bed now as I thought the stem might snap under its ever increasing weight.

And here's a pic of a favourite of mine, Borage ...  Not just me that loves it, the bees do too.

I saw the young newt again in the pond, in the same place, sunbathing in the shallows.  But a real surprise was to see a rabbit in our "wild" area.  I've never seen a rabbit before at the allotment.  Wonder if we've any carrots left?!

And finally, I started to tidy up the herb bed which has grown very well this year.  Time to cut back the lavender so it doesn't get too woody.  Can you smell it?  A very pleasurable job.

Sunny Sunday

Such a warm and sunny Sunday after a rather windy & chilly Stapleford Carnival the day before.

Here are some pics from the allotment to show how lovely its looking at the moment.  If you haven't visited the allotment before, or for a while, and would like to come and join in with our informal gardening sessions please come along any Wednesday or Saturday morning between 10 & 12.  Just ring the doorbell on the side gate, someone will let you in.

Don't forget this year's Harvest Day event at Dig In

Saturday 24th October, 11-3pm

Ripening grapes - not ready yet

Pumpkin's filling out, hopefully ready
for Harvest Day at DigIn, 24th October

Baby newt, sunbathing

The orchard

Teasel next to the Bug Hotel - Bed & Breakfast for the bees :o)

Helen

Wildlife

Here's a pic of what I think is a Lime Hawk Moth caterpillar.  It was quite a chunky thing clinging on to one of our raised beds at today's volunteer session.
I think it must be trying to find a place to pupate.  If it is a lime hawk moth, it will dig itself under the soil to pupate and will remain in this state over winter.  It will emerge from pupation next May, so we need to take care when using Raised Bed B!
The adult moth is very striking having green and pink markings on its wings and has a wingspan between 70 - 80 mm, so quite a large one!

And here's one of a very busy bumble bee, buzzing the pollen loose from the poppy.  If it was the same bee, it made many (noisy!) trips to this one flower.