Dig In's 2020 - Part 2 - March to July

I think we all know what happened next... one minute (it seems) we were planting trees at a distance, then we were having an email committee meeting (we hadn't heard of Zoom yet!) - and having to close, for a few weeks, we thought...

 

Dig In, looking so well-weeded in late March. But empty, no volunteers!

 

 

Karen taking a break from planting potatoes as fast as she could. That may be why she ate all the biscuits...

 

 

It was one of the best years for spring veg in the polytunnel, but no vols to eat all the veg! So Karen chopped and bagged and made stir-fry mixes for the local food project in Stapleford.

 

 

Karen also got sowing big time! Alex had had a brilliant idea - we could run a Virtual Veg Show for local families. So Karen made up loads of seed packs, sowed seeds and wrote info sheets.

 

Waiting outside the top entrance of the allotments in early May, with trays of seed packs and plants.

 

 

And here's one of the families who came to get seed packs and plants.

 

 

We had lots of great entries to the Spring Virtual Veg Show. Here's Karen delivering prizes - at a distance!

 

 

As well as Karen, there was the 'Skeleton Crew' of keyholder volunteers who came in singly to help keep things under control. Here's lawnmower and secretary Debbie.

 

 

Community Orchard creator and treasurer Alex. Helen, Kath and David were other Skeleton Crew stalwarts. 

 

 

And Gary from Pulp Friction, in the fruit cage!

 

 

By July things were growing well in the polytunnel......and outside. But we were keen to get our volunteers back - safely. And they were keen to come back too!

 

 

The Dig In Covid-19 sub-committee of Karen, Debbie, Kath and David got advice from Nottingham Growing Network and Social Farms and Gardens. We wrote a Risk Assessment and planned new ways of working. David made a super 'Tippy Tap' for hand washing, crafted lovely loo roll holders, and a nifty hanger for sanitiser outside the compost loo.

 

 

And Karen ordered a whole lot of sanitiser, gloves, paper towels and trugs! We were ready to open again.

 

 

Dig In's 2020 - Part 1

 We can't get together to celebrate the year like we usually do, so here's some pics of the year to remind us of how much we've done! Part 1 covers January through to mid-March.

 But first, a reminder of one of our Christmas fuddles in late 2019!

Claire and Gary giving Henry The Giant a bit of TLC

The Three Secateers?

Couch grass competition time! We did SO well with weeding last winter!

Committee meeting in the polytunnel. We's 'ard..

The Sensory Beds at the start of a total makeover.

And remember this? The wettest winter since records began?

And we do remember this! Such a great part of Dig In - tea and a biscuit with friends.

 

Part 2 coming soon...

We'll be adding facts over the next few weeks! 

1. Did you know... pumpkins are in the same plant family as cucumbers, gourds, melons, squashes and loofas? They are called 'cucurbits' and include almost 1000 different species, many edible or ornamental.

2. Every single part of a pumpkin is edible! Yes, you can eat the skin, leaves, flowers, pulp, seeds, and even the stem!

 

The Dig In VIRTUAL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL!

 

With a roll of imaginary drums we are pleased to announce.... The BIG Dig In Virtual Veg Show!! 

See our two Facebook events or the poster below.
You CAN take part even if you've not got a garden - several classes are for windowsill growing.
You CAN take part if you've not got seeds - we're giving some away.
You CAN win prizes - but only if you take part!

Part 1 is the quick windowsill gardening classes, and we're going to have a Virtual Veg Show on 30th May - so you've got just over a month! That's plenty of time to grow a forest of carrot tops, to create the best cress head, the best windowsill salads, or the loveliest Miniature Garden. 

Part 2 will be the plants which take a bit longer - the tallest sunflower, the best mini-pots, or the flowery-est wildflower meadow. More about those later! We'll celebrate the winners inmid-August - and who knows, by then we may be able to meet up.

So... get growing! And if you need a helping hand, let us know, and we'll do what we can - at a distance!
Keep well.
The Dig In Team

The pumpkins are here ... we're getting ready!

Looking forward to seeing lots of people at our Autumn Harvest event this Saturday 19th October, 1-4pm!
The soup recipes have been sorted, activities decided upon and pumpkins and apples are at the ready.
Bring your own cup for a price discount on tea or coffee.
Don't worry about the weather - there's lots of cover if rain is forecast.
What design are YOU going to carve into your pumpkin???