It's pruning time...

...so out with the secateurs, loppers and pruning saws!

Here's Linda carefully sawing off an old stem on a blackcurrant. That'll make younger shoots grow, which is where you get most blackcurrants. 

 And here's Stephen and Sarah deciding what to prune on one of our Bramley's Seedling apple trees. Pruning (in my opinion!) can be quite a thoughtful task, one which you can lose yourself in. Till someone calls "TEA UP!"

Wild area gets a makeover!

 It was one of those February days where you need some nice warm work, so we decided to get started on a project we've meant to do for a while - sorting out the 'wild area' near the water butt. For a start, we needed to clear some nettles so getting water will not mean that we - or other plot-holders - will get stung.

 Of course nettles are great for wildlife, but these just weren't in a good place. Then it was all about pulling up carpet, yanking out bramble roots and digging out our old friend couch grass.

We got lots more done than we thought we would! This plot is going to be used as a new soft fruit area, with currants and gooseberries - we did think that if the brambles grow back we can pretend they are meant to be there!

Cosy Polytunnel Work on a Chilly Day

Winter work at Dig In doesn't have to involve getting wet and cold!

Garlic is planted in autumn or spring, but these bulbs decided to sprout, so Debbie and Claire potted them up into modules. The garlic will live in the polytunnel till spring, then we'll plant them out under a cloche.

Alan from RCAN and David are replacing the raised beds in the polytunnel, working round our overwintering rocket!

Christmas Opening at Dig In

Dig In would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dig In will be closed for Christmas on the following days:

• Wednesday 24th December
• Saturday 27th December

Apart from this, we will be open, as usual, every Wednesday & Saturday morning, 10-12.

Newcomers and regulars are always welcome, just ring the doorbell on the gate between the above times for someone to let you in.

Thank you for your support over the last year - may your Christmas sprouts be perfectly cooked!

Harvest Event Best Ever!

Wow! the weather stayed fine and 233 visitors attended our Autumn Harvest 2014 event. I think the total visitor numbers are probably a record for our events to date and everyone had a fantastic time.

Many, many thanks to all who gave up their time preparing the event activities and those who put much effort into volunteering on the day. A special thanks to Alan Withington (RCAN) for helping with the construction of the new refreshments shed and tombola donations, John Hempsall for the apple variety identifications, Jill Carter and the Pulp Friction team, the ladies who worked tirelessly to provide a tasty feast of food and refreshments during the event, Tracey Lloyd and Kathy Holmes for the pumpkin carving workshop, Karen Fry for the apple pressing, Dave Wood for the poem, Claire Swain for the knitting, Helen Turner for the nest box workshop, ASDA Long Eaton and Boots for assisting with the tombola donations, Stapleford Town Council for their support and the gentleman from Frank Key who pleasantly surprised us by donating a wheelbarrow to Dig In on the day. Last but not least, Roy Oldershaw for being our welcoming 'man on the gate'. There are others too numerous to mention, but thank you all.

As the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words...

Autumn Harvest Celebration Event 2014

Come and join our free admission family fun day event celebrating the Autumn harvest. The event will take place on Saturday 18th October 2014, between 11am and 3pm at the Dig In community allotment, Pasture Road, Stapleford. NG9 8HZ (map)

Activities include apple pressing, pumpkin carving, apple pancakes, chutneys, preserves and more.

If you have an apple tree in your garden, but are unsure of the variety, please bring one of the apples and a leaf along to the event for identification by an expert.

Looking forward to another brilliant event at the allotment - everyone is welcome to attend and there is no need to book, just turn up on the day.

Decade of DIG IN event

A big thank you for everyone who attended our Decade of DIG IN event on Saturday 23rd August. Apart from a short, light shower, the weather stayed warm and dry, which added extra icing on the celebration cake generously provided by ASDA Long Eaton, along with fresh fruits and other ingredients for the cream teas.

The event was attended by over 100 visitors and from the comments and feedback received, was enjoyed by both guests and helpers alike. Many thanks to the volunteers, groups and funders who have supported us over the years and we look forward to the next decade of DIG IN.

A special thanks to Alan Withington (RCAN), who pulled out all the stops to ensure the new catering shed was usable on the day and for much of the infrastructure development. Stapleford Town council for their generous funding and support, Pulp Friction for the wonderful ice cream and wine, Tracey Lloyd on the musical instruments, Jon from ASDA, Pete and James on the drums, Claire on the face painting, the local knitters for their contributions towards the community blanket and the hard work of the DIG IN committee, volunteers and local community who made it possible.

We hope to see everyone back for our Harvest Celebration event on the 18th October 2014.